Brazil forward Neymar faces a race against time to be fit for his country's opening World Cup match after being ruled out for two to three weeks with a calf injury.

Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar confirmed the diagnosis at a news conference, saying: "Neymar underwent all the medical tests, which concluded with an MRI scan revealing a grade two calf injury, not just swelling. He is expected to be cleared in two to three weeks."

A grade two calf strain involves a partial tear of the muscle fibres and requires rest and rehabilitation — a more serious verdict than the one initially offered by his Santos club doctor, Rodrigo Zogaib, who had said before the squad announcement that the problem was nothing more than swelling and that Neymar would arrive fit to train.

Friendlies and the group stage

The injury rules Neymar out of Brazil's home friendly against Panama on Sunday and the match against Egypt in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, 6 June. Neymar had joined the squad on Tuesday but missed Wednesday's training session before being sent for medical tests after reporting swelling in his right calf.

Brazil begin their World Cup Group C campaign on 13 June against Morocco in New Jersey. They then face Haiti in Philadelphia on 19 June and Scotland in Miami on 24 June. With the Morocco opener falling within the two-to-three-week recovery window, Neymar's participation is far from guaranteed.

Ancelotti's squad challenges

Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti was already dealing with absences ahead of the Panama friendly. Arsenal defender Gabriel and forward Gabriel Martinelli are unavailable due to their involvement in the UEFA Champions League final against Paris St-Germain on 30 May. Defender Marquinhos, who captains both Brazil and PSG, is similarly absent for the same reason.

Ancelotti, 66, revealed his World Cup squad at a ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, where fans cheered at the mention of Neymar's name. The Italian coach said at the time: "We spent the entire year analysing Neymar. We realised that in this last period he had continuity and was in good physical condition."

A long-awaited return

Neymar has not featured for the Selecao since 2023 following a lengthy battle with injuries. He was selected ahead of Chelsea striker Joao Pedro and Tottenham forward Richarlison, with the squad place offering him the chance to appear at a fourth World Cup, having represented Brazil at the 2014, 2018, and 2022 tournaments.

The 34-year-old's most painful World Cup memory came on home soil in 2014, when he was carried off in tears on a stretcher after a back injury sustained during the quarter-final victory over Colombia. He has since scored 79 goals in 128 international appearances, cementing his status as one of Brazil's greatest ever players.