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Brazil will begin their World Cup campaign against Morocco tonight, but their talismanic forward Neymar will not feature in the opening fixture.

The veteran attacker’s inclusion in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad came as a slight surprise, especially with younger talents such as Richarlison and Joao Pedro missing out on selection for Brazil this summer.

However, supporters of the Selecao will have to be patient, as Neymar continues his recovery from injury and is not yet ready to take the field.

Addressing the media ahead of the opener, Ancelotti confirmed the situation, stating: “Neymar is working very hard to recover as quickly as possible. The expectation is that he will recover and rejoin the group next week.”

As the 34-year-old forward is only expected to return to training next week, his participation in Brazil’s second group stage match against Haiti on Saturday, June 20, remains uncertain. Fans might instead see him back in action during the Group C finale against Scotland on June 24.

Despite Neymar’s absence from the pitch, Ancelotti expressed confidence in the player’s overall contribution to the national team, noting that his value extends beyond his on-field performance.

“When we call up Neymar, we call him not only for his technical quality, which is indisputable, but also for his experience and the example he can set for the young players in this group,” Ancelotti explained.

Neymar has not featured for the national team since 2023, but Ancelotti’s faith in his experience and leadership remains evident.

Whether Neymar will appear at the World Cup 2026 is uncertain. Yet, even if he doesn’t play a major role on the field, his influence within the squad could prove crucial as Brazil aim for their long-awaited sixth World Cup title.