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Neymar jogged back onto the training pitch on Wednesday and shouted, “Did you miss me?” to the reporters watching. The crowd cheered. Brazil fans felt a rush of hope. But the big question still lingers: will he actually play against Haiti on June 19?
The answer, for now, is uncertain. Brazil’s medical team remains cautious. They do not want to risk a setback that could end his tournament early. So while Neymar’s return to full group training is a huge boost, a spot in the starting XI against Haiti is far from guaranteed.
How Neymar Got Injured Before the World Cup
Neymar suffered a grade-2 calf strain on May 17, 2026. He was playing for Santos against Coritiba in the Brazilian league. The injury came at the worst possible time.
The very next day, coach Carlo Ancelotti included him in Brazil’s 26-man World Cup squad. Santos initially described the problem as a minor issue. However, further tests by the Brazilian Football Confederation revealed a more serious injury. Doctors said recovery would take two to three weeks.
As a result, Neymar missed both of Brazil’s pre-tournament friendlies against Panama and Egypt. He has not played for the national team since October 2023, when Brazil lost 2-0 to Uruguay in a World Cup qualifier. He suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear during that period while playing for Al Hilal, which kept him out for an extended spell. His calf problem is, therefore, just the latest in a long list of injury setbacks.
Brazil Drew 1-1 With Morocco Without Neymar
Brazil opened its FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign on June 13 against Morocco at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Neymar watched from the stands. He could not play.
Morocco took the lead in the 21st minute through Ismael Saibari. Brazil then levelled in the 32nd minute thanks to Vinicius Junior, who scored a fine goal after a move involving Bruno Guimaraes. Neither side could find a winner after that. Brazil settled for a 1-1 draw.
The result left Brazil in a tricky position. Scotland, meanwhile, beat Haiti 1-0 in the group’s other opener. That means Scotland is currently at the top of Group C with three points. Brazil and Morocco sit on one point each, while Haiti has none.
Neymar Returns to Full Training With Brazil
On June 17 and 18, Neymar finally rejoined the full squad in training at Columbia Park in Morristown, New Jersey. He trained alongside Marquinhos and Raphinha. He looked sharp and in good spirits. When he spotted the press pack watching him, he walked over and cracked his now-famous joke: “Did you miss me?” Journalists responded with delight.
This was the first time Neymar trained with the full group since joining Brazil’s World Cup camp on May 27. Up until this point, he had only worked with physios and done individual sessions in the gym.
Will Neymar Play Against Haiti? Latest Update
Despite rejoining training, Neymar’s place in the starting eleven against Haiti remains unclear. Brazil’s medical staff want to see more before clearing him for match action.
According to ESPN sources, the swelling in Neymar’s right calf is more serious than Santos first suggested. The recovery timeline may stretch longer than originally planned. Some Brazilian media reports claim Neymar’s imaging tests showed satisfactory progress, but not enough to move him to the next stage of field conditioning.
Fox Sports also reported that Brazil’s staff has reached a clear consensus: caution first. They will not rush Neymar back and risk a re-injury. The plan, according to multiple sources, is to keep him fresh for the knockout rounds.
So while he could feature off the bench, starting against Haiti looks unlikely at this point.
Ancelotti Explains Why He Kept Neymar in the Squad
Many fans and pundits questioned Ancelotti’s decision to include an injured Neymar in the squad. He could have called up a fit striker like Chelsea’s Joao Pedro instead. But Ancelotti stood firm.
“Neymar is working very hard to recover as quickly as possible,” Ancelotti said before the Morocco match. “When we called up Neymar, we did so not just because of his technical quality, which is undeniable. We also want him for his experience and the example he sets for the younger players.”
Marquinhos, Brazil’s captain, echoed that sentiment. He said every player in the squad is important. “Progress happens day by day,” he said. “We need everyone.”
Brazil’s Situation in Group C
Brazil sits third in Group C after matchday one. They now need a win against Haiti to put themselves back in control.
Haiti is ranked 82nd in the world. They have only won one of their last five matches. Still, they showed fight against Scotland, even if they could not find an equaliser. Their key attacking threat is Wilson Isidor, the pacy Sunderland forward. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, formerly of Wolves, also pulls the strings in midfield.
Brazil, on the other hand, boasts a star-studded attack even without Neymar. Vinicius Junior leads the line. Raphinha provides creativity and set-piece delivery. Matheus Cunha and Endrick add further depth. Brazil has won both historical meetings against Haiti by a combined score of 13-1.
Therefore, even without Neymar, Brazil are strong favourites to win this match.
What Happens If Neymar Misses the Entire Group Stage?
If Neymar misses both the Haiti and Scotland matches, Brazil will enter the knockout rounds carrying a question mark. Can Neymar get up to match fitness quickly enough to make a difference?
The honest answer is: maybe. Soft-tissue injuries can flare up again if a player returns too soon. Neymar has suffered that cycle before. A cautious approach now could give him a better shot at playing a full knockout game later.
Brazil’s final group match is against Scotland on June 24 in Miami. That game could decide who tops Group C. If Brazil needs a big performance there, Ancelotti may have to decide whether to risk Neymar or leave him for the round of 16.
Ancelotti himself acknowledged the balance: “We chose Neymar not because we think he will be a good substitute. We chose Neymar because we believe he can help the team, whether it’s for one minute, five minutes, or 90 minutes.”
For now, all eyes are on Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on June 19. Brazil needs to win. And the world still waits to see if No. 10 will be on the pitch.
