Neymar accelerates recovery to be fit for Brazil’s FIFA World Cup 2026 clash with Scotland

The Brazilian star has been included in the squad for the next match. Will he be ready to play?

Neymar, now recovered from the calf injury that has sidelined him since May, trained both in the gym and on the pitch in New Jersey on Saturday as he looks to be available for Brazil's final Group C match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Scotland.

NEYMAR BACK IN THE SPOTLIGHT

The Santos No. 10 did not travel with the squad to Philadelphia, where Brazil secured its first win of the tournament on Friday with a 3-0 victory over Haiti. Instead, he remained at the team's base camp to complete the final stages of his recovery.

According to footage released by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), the former Barcelona star took part in strength exercises and sprint drills alongside left-back Alex Sandro, while also working on his finishing in front of goal.

Head coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed after the win over Haiti that Neymar "will be available" for Brazil's upcoming match against Scotland on Wednesday in Miami.

The former Paris Saint-Germain forward arrived at Brazil's training camp carrying the injury and has since missed both pre-World Cup friendlies against Panama and Egypt, as well as the opening Group C matches against Morocco (1-1) and Haiti (3-0).

THE INJURY THAT SIDELINED HIM

Brazil's all-time leading scorer suffered a Grade II strain in his right calf on May 17 during a Brasileirão match, just one day before Ancelotti named him in the 26-man squad for the World Cup.

Santos initially reported that Neymar was dealing with only minor swelling, but further examinations conducted by the CBF revealed a more serious injury than first expected, with an estimated recovery period of two to three weeks.

Despite the setback, Ancelotti opted to keep him in the squad.

Neymar's absence has even become the subject of jokes in Brazil. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva quipped during a public event on Friday that Neymar was "the first player ever called up to the national team while working from home."

The 34-year-old has not appeared for Brazil since October 17, 2023, when he suffered a torn ACL and meniscus in his left knee while playing against Uruguay in a World Cup qualifier in Montevideo.