Brazil forward Neymar has been ruled out for two to three weeks with a grade two calf injury, casting serious doubt over his availability for the Selecao's World Cup Group C opener against Morocco on 13 June in New Jersey.

The diagnosis

Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar confirmed the extent of the injury at a news conference, stating: "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 is a moderate injury involving a partial tear of muscle fibres, typically requiring a period of rest and structured rehabilitation before a player can return to full training.

Neymar had joined up with the Brazil squad on Tuesday but missed their first training session the following day after reporting swelling in his right calf. The diagnosis contradicts the assessment made by his Santos club doctor, Rodrigo Zogaib, who had previously described the problem as mere swelling and suggested the forward would arrive fit to train immediately.

Friendlies and World Cup schedule at risk

The two-to-three-week timeline rules Neymar out of Brazil's friendly against Panama at home on Sunday and their match against Egypt in Cleveland, Ohio on 6 June. Whether he recovers in time for the Morocco fixture remains uncertain.

After facing Morocco on 13 June, Brazil take on Haiti in Philadelphia on 19 June before their final Group C match against Scotland in Miami on 24 June.

Ancelotti already short-handed

Manager Carlo Ancelotti faces further selection headaches ahead of the Panama friendly. Arsenal defender Gabriel and forward Gabriel Martinelli are both unavailable, having featured in the UEFA Champions League final against Paris St-Germain on 30 May. Defender Marquinhos, captain of both Brazil and PSG, is similarly sidelined for the same reason.

A fourth World Cup for Neymar

The 34-year-old has not represented Brazil since 2023, a prolonged absence driven by injury, yet Ancelotti selected him ahead of Chelsea striker Joao Pedro and Tottenham forward Richarlison. Neymar has now accumulated 79 goals in 128 appearances for the Selecao.

Should he recover in time, this World Cup would be his fourth, having previously represented Brazil at the 2014, 2018, and 2022 tournaments. The 2014 edition on home soil ended in heartbreak when he was stretchered off with a back injury during the quarter-final victory over Colombia.

Ancelotti, 66, who was appointed Brazil manager last year, had defended his decision to include Neymar in the squad at a selection ceremony in Rio de Janeiro — where fans greeted the announcement with loud cheers. "We spent the entire year analysing Neymar," he said. "We realised that in this last period he had continuity and was in good physical condition."