Neymar will wear the number 10 shirt for Brazil at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Softfootball gathered. The Brazilian star was officially announced as part of the Seleção squad on Wednesday, 20 May 2026.
However, on Thursday, 28 May 2026, reports confirmed that Neymar had suffered a calf injury and will not feature in Brazil’s upcoming friendly matches and could also miss their World Cup opener.
The 34‑year‑old has been ruled out for two to three weeks, a timeline that places his availability for the start of the tournament in serious doubt.
Due to the injury, Neymar will miss:
- The home friendly against Panama on Sunday
- The friendly against Egypt in Cleveland, Ohio, on Saturday, 6 June
Brazil’s medical team will continue to monitor his recovery closely as the World Cup approaches. Despite the setback, Neymar remains a central figure in the squad, and his selection, along with the symbolic No.10 shirt reflects his enduring importance to the national team.
