Neymar's World Cup hopes in doubt as Brazil's preparations hit stumbling block

Brazil's World Cup build-up has taken a significant turn for the worse, with Neymar absent from the national team's opening training session on Wednesday to undergo medical assessments.

The 34-year-old forward, nursing a right calf injury, sat out the closed session at Granja Comary and was sent to a private clinic in Teresopolis for imaging scans. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) declined to offer any further comment until their medical team completes its evaluation, though Neymar's absence has already dominated the narrative as preparations for the 2026 tournament got underway.

Three more sessions are scheduled at their training base before Sunday's friendly against Panama at the Maracana, but the focus remains firmly on whether the veteran attacker will be fit to feature.

Carlo Ancelotti is already stretched thin for that Panama clash, with defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and Marquinhos, plus forward Gabriel Martinelli, unavailable due to Saturday's Champions League final between Arsenal and PSG.

Neymar's return to international duty last week had generated considerable buzz, given that Ancelotti had shown no interest in him during his first year in charge. The all-time leading scorer for Brazil—with 79 goals from 128 appearances—has been sidelined from international football since 2023, with questions lingering over his fitness and recent form following a troubled spell at Santos.

The timing could scarcely be worse. After Panama, Brazil face Egypt in Cleveland before launching their World Cup campaign against Morocco on June 13 in New Jersey. The three-time champions find themselves grouped with Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland.

Ancelotti made his stance crystal clear in an interview last month: Neymar would receive no favourable treatment, and his squad selection would hinge entirely on fitness and form rather than reputation or sentiment.

Brazil's medical staff now hold the keys to whether their biggest name will be ready to perform when it matters most.