Santos forward racing against time to be fit for the 2026 World Cup
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has decided not to remove Neymar from Brazil’s World Cup squad despite the forward currently struggling with a calf injury. However, the Seleção have reportedly given the Santos star a 15-day deadline to prove his fitness ahead of the tournament, according to reports from GE.
Brazil’s medical staff will continue to closely monitor Neymar’s recovery, with the deadline coinciding with 12 June — the final date permitted by FIFA to make injury-related changes to the official 26-man squad, just 24 hours before Brazil’s opening World Cup match against Morocco.
Neymar unlikely to feature in Brazil’s opening match
Rodrigo Lasmar, head of the CBF medical department, estimates that Neymar will require between two and three weeks of recovery starting from this Thursday.
In the best-case scenario, the Brazilian forward could still be available for the opening group-stage match, although that possibility is currently viewed as unlikely.
Brazil’s main objective is now to have Neymar fit in time for the second group match against Haiti, scheduled for 19 June in Philadelphia.
Tension grows between CBF and Santos
Neymar suffered the injury on 17 May during Santos’ 3-0 defeat against Coritiba in the Brasileirão.
The following day, Brazil’s squad list was announced based on medical information provided by Santos, which reportedly stated that the player was only dealing with swelling and would be available to train normally.
The discrepancy between the club’s medical assessment and Neymar’s actual condition reportedly created significant frustration within the CBF, who felt they had been misled after the player arrived already injured and required further medical examinations.
Following comments from Rodrigo Lasmar, Santos released an official statement defending the club and insisting that all medical examinations had been fully shared with the Brazilian federation.
FIFA rules allow late squad changes
According to FIFA regulations for the 2026 World Cup, final squad lists must be submitted by 1 June.
After that date, changes are only permitted in cases of serious injury or illness, provided they are officially validated by FIFA. Teams may make replacements up to 24 hours before their first match of the tournament, but only using players included in the preliminary squad list.
National teams are not required to replace injured players. France coach Didier Deschamps, for example, chose not to replace Karim Benzema during the 2022 World Cup after the striker suffered an injury before the tournament.
Final World Cup squads must contain between 23 and 26 players.
Brazil preparing for World Cup without Neymar
In Neymar’s absence, Brazil are set to face Panama this Sunday at the Maracanã in a farewell friendly before travelling to the United States for the World Cup.
The Brazilian delegation will then travel on Monday and later face Egypt in another warm-up match scheduled to take place in Cleveland.
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