Neymar makes first field training with Brazil ahead of Copa 2026 match vs Haiti
Brazilian forward Neymar suffered a grade‑2 calf muscle tear on 17 May during Santos’ league match against Coritiba. The injury kept him out of Brazil’s opening Copa 2026 game against Morocco and limited his participation in the squad’s preparations. CBF doctor Rodrigo Lasmar set a 21‑day recovery window that ends on Thursday 18 June, after which a decision on his availability for the second group‑stage match against Haiti will be made.
On 16 June at the Columbia Park training centre in New Jersey, Neymar joined the Brazil squad on the field for the first time since the injury. He began with light exercises in sneakers, later switching to boots and handling the ball during a short 15‑minute session observed by the press. The medical staff described the progress as positive but cautioned that he is not yet cleared for full‑intensity work, and his participation in the Friday 19 June match in Philadelphia remains uncertain. Coach Carlo Ancelotti and teammates, including Danilo, expressed hope that the striker will contribute later in the tournament.
The episode has also sparked commentary in the media, with some analysts framing Neymar’s inclusion as a political decision, but the primary focus remains his medical recovery and potential impact on Brazil’s World Cup campaign.