World Cup 2026: Neymar available for Brazil match in Scotland, Ancelotti confirms

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed Neymar will be available for the Selecao’s final Group C game against Scotland, giving the five-time world champions a big boost as they bid for a place in the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 34-year-old forward has yet to feature in Brazil’s campaign after picking up a right calf injury while playing for Santos on May 17. Neymar missed Brazil’s opening 1-1 draw against Morocco and remained sidelined. Saturday’s 3-0 win over Haiti in Philadelphia.

After the win over Haiti, Ancelotti revealed that Neymar’s recovery is progressing well and that he will rejoin full training with the team early next week.

“Neymar will train individually tomorrow and on Monday with the rest of the team. He will be available for the match against Scotland,” Ancelotti said.

Neymar has yet to take part in a full training session with Brazil since joining the World Cup squad. The veteran striker underwent medical tests earlier this week to assess the healing of his calf injury and is following an individual rehabilitation programme.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star was named on the bench for Brazil’s opener against Morocco but did not start. Before the game in Haiti, Brazil announced that Neymar would remain in New Jersey to continue his recovery from a grade two calf strain that was initially expected to keep him out for up to three weeks.

His return could not have come at a better time for Brazil.

Raphinha was forced to leave during the first half of the win over Haiti after appearing to suffer a hamstring injury. Ancelotti admitted after the game that the extent of the problem remains unclear, with the Barcelona winger having to undergo further medical tests.

“We have to evaluate him. We don’t know the severity yet,” Ancelotti said.

The uncertainty surrounding Raphinh’s fitness has increased the importance of Neymar’s return, with Brazil potentially needing their most experienced attacker for the crucial clash with Scotland.

Brazil responded strongly against Haiti after opening their campaign with a draw against Morocco. Matheus Cunha scored twice while Vinicius Junior added another goal as the Selecao secured their first win of the tournament and boosted their chances of progressing from Group C.

Neymar’s comeback will be an emotional boost for Brazil as well. The country’s all-time top goalscorer has scored 79 goals in 129 internationals and is playing in his fourth and final World Cup.

There was considerable debate in Brazil regarding his inclusion in the squad due to his injury problems, having suffered a serious ACL injury in October 2023. However, Neymar has shown encouraging signs since his return to Santos, contributing four goals and two assists in eight games this year.

With qualification for the knockout stages still up for grabs and concerns over Raphinha’s fitness growing, Neymar now looks set to play a key role when Brazil take on Scotland at the Miami Gardens on Wednesday.

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Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

20 Jun 2026 09:30 IST