While the five-time world champion enters the tournament among the favorites to lift the trophy, concerns over the fitness of its all-time leading scorer have become one of the dominant storylines ahead of kickoff. Brazil‘s preparations for the 2026 World Cup have been overshadowed by fresh uncertainty surrounding Neymar, with Carlo Ancelotti facing an anxious wait before the Selecao’s opening match against Morocco. While the five-time world champion enters the tournament among the favorites to lift the trophy, concerns over the fitness of its all-time leading scorer have become one of the dominant storylines ahead of kickoff. The Brazilian national team arrives in North America carrying momentum after a series of impressive friendly victories. However, with Neymar still recovering from injury and remaining absent from full training sessions, questions continue to grow over how much he will be able to contribute during the tournament’s early stages. Carlo Ancelotti and his players enter the competition aiming to win a record-extending sixth World Cup crown. The national team has appeared at every World Cup in history and remains the most successful side the tournament has ever seen. Recent friendly matches offered reasons for optimism. The Selecao won three consecutive warm-up games while scoring 11 goals, showcasing the attacking talent available to Ancelotti as he begins his first World Cup campaign in charge of the national team. Carlo Ancelloti, head coach of Brazil. Their opening Group C clash against Morocco promises to be one of the standout matches of the first round. Morocco arrives with growing confidence after reaching the semi-finals in Qatar 2022 and continuing its strong form through qualification and recent international competitions. Neymar remains the major concern Despite the excitement surrounding Brazil’s World Cup campaign, much of the attention has focused on Neymar’s recovery. The 34-year-old forward has been battling a calf injury sustained while playing for Santos shortly before the tournament. Santos’ captain has travelled with the squad and continues to follow an individual rehabilitation program. However, he has yet to return to full team training, creating uncertainty over his availability. Neymar Jr. of Brazil. According to Reuters, Neymar missed another training session shortly before Brazil’s opening fixture. While he attended celebrations for Ancelotti’s birthday and remained involved with the group, his recovery timeline remains unclear. The worrying update reportedly emerging from Brazil’s camp The situation has now become more concerning than initially expected. Reports from Brazil and Spain suggest that there are now fears Neymar could miss all three group-stage matches against Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland. That possibility represents the nightmare scenario Ancelotti and Brazilian supporters hoped to avoid. Initial expectations centered on Neymar missing the opener against Morocco before returning later in the group stage, but recent updates have cast doubt on that plan. Neymar of Brazil sits injured on the pitch during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Brazilian journalist Nico Diaz Menendez of Spanish outlet Teledeporte reported that the Santos forward could face a longer absence than first anticipated. Other reports have indicated that even if he is medically cleared before the Haiti match, a lack of match fitness could prevent him from being thrown directly into competitive action. ¡ALARMA EN @CBF_Futebol! ⚠️@neymarjr, que ya era duda para el debut contra Marruecos, podría perderse ahora toda la fase de grupos. Un serio contratiempo para @MrAncelotti Informa @Nicodmenendez desde la concentración de la 'seleçao' en el #MundialRTVE #CopaMundialFIFA pic.twitter.com/h8VyBBgw5v— Teledeporte (@teledeporte) June 12, 2026 The concern stems from the fact that Neymar has gone several weeks without on-field soccer activity since suffering the Grade 2 calf injury. Although his recovery continues to pro
Last triumph was in 2002 but Italian head coach, without Neymar against Morocco, brings ‘joy and enthusiasm’It is Marcio Santos who best sums up the predicament Brazil’s players found themselves in before the 1994 World Cup. “We hadn’t won in 24 years. That’s way too long for the Brazilian people,” says the former defender in the new Netflix documentary USA 94: Brazil’s Return to Glory.Having suffered the ignominy of a first defeat in qualifying that prompted the manager, Carlos Alberto Parreira, to offer to step down, the fabled Romário and Bebeto strike partnership inspired the Seleção to win a fourth World Cup the last time the tournament was held on American soil. Continue reading...
Gilberto Mora is one of Mexico’s brightest hopes for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mexico have the opportunity—and the pressure—to deliver a strong showing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the tournament’s three host nations. To do so, they will rely on the talent of their top players, including Gilberto Mora. The attacking midfielder is the youngest player ever to represent Mexico at a FIFA World Cup, at just 17 years old. Born on October 14, 2008, he has already showcased his talent and influence on the field in a short professional career, earning a spot in the 26-man squad selected by head coach Javier Aguirre. Mora made his professional debut for Club Tijuana in August 2024 against Santos Laguna before turning 16 years old. That achievement made him the third-youngest player to debut in Liga MX history, behind Victor Manon and Martin Galvan. He immediately made an impact, recording an assist in his first appearance. Standing just 5-foot-6 (1.68 m), Gilberto is known primarily for his close control with his right foot and outstanding technical ability. He also stands out for his vision and ability to orchestrate his team’s attacks, a rare trait for a player of his age. Gil Mora playing for Club Tijuana. Since his debut in 2024, Mora has made 53 official appearances for Club Tijuana across Liga MX and Leagues Cup competition. In those matches, he has recorded 10 goals and two assists. During the most recent season, 2025-26, the midfielder scored six goals and added one assist in 20 appearances. Gilberto Mora’s journey with the Mexico national team His performances at club level earned Gilberto Mora an early opportunity with the Mexico national team. He represented the country at every youth level from the U-15 team through the U-20 side, with whom he competed at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where they were eliminated by Argentina in the quarterfinals. Mora made his senior national team debut on January 16, 2025, becoming the youngest player in Mexico history to achieve that feat. Since then, he has made nine appearances in official matches and friendlies, recording one assist. He was also part of the squad that won the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, starting all three knockout-stage matches. How much is Gilberto Mora worth? Gilberto Mora quickly demonstrated the talent and potential to become a future superstar, attracting interest from several European clubs. In that context, Club Tijuana took an important step regarding his future. On June 9, 2026, they signed Mora to a new three-year contract, while also granting him a significant salary increase and handing him the club’s No. 10 jersey. According to reports, the deal also included a €20 million release clause designed to facilitate a future move to Europe.
Many names could make history as there are 9 World Cup records that could be broken in the 2026 edition. Some of the greatest players in the history of the sport have left a major mark on the World Cup since it began. While many of those records still stand, several could be broken at the 2026 tournament. As has often been the case over the years, there are two names to watch when it comes to records: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Whether for longevity or pure talent, both legends could add new marks in this edition. They are not the only players who could reach historic heights in the coming weeks. The main name after them chasing history is Kylian Mbappé, while Harry Kane and even Guillermo Ochoa could also leave their mark on the tournament. Most all-time World Cup goals This may be the most interesting record to watch. It is currently held by Miroslav Klose, who scored 16 goals for Germany in his career. The main challengers are Messi with 13 and Mbappé with 12. Klose holds the record with 16 goals (Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) Most World Cup match appearances This record should be broken if nothing unusual happens, because it is held by Messi with 26 appearances. That means every time Argentina take the field with him in the lineup, the record grows. Most individual World Cup match wins While soccer is not usually viewed as an individual sport, it can still be revealing to see which players have won the most matches. Before the competition begins, the record is held by Klose with 17 wins for Germany, but Messi is right behind him with 16. Most World Cup tournaments played Player longevity has increased so much in recent years, thanks in part to advances in sports science and technology, that this record has two players ready to make their sixth World Cup in Messi and Ronaldo. Ochoa was called up for a sixth tournament, but he did not play in 2006 or 2010. This record also includes Lothar Matthäus, Antonio Carbajal, Rafael Márquez, and Andrés Guardado. Oldest goalscorer in a knockout match This record could be challenged by several players, because Pepe was 39 years and 283 days old when he scored for Portugal against Switzerland in the round of 16 in Qatar. However, this edition features several big names who could break it, including Ronaldo, Luka Modrić, and Edin Džeko. With the addition of an extra knockout round after the group stage, this record looks more reachable. Most players over 40 in a single tournament In the past, it was not common to see players over 40 at the biggest stage. However, that has become more normal. The record was just one in different editions, and it should be shattered this time. The players over 40 are Ronaldo, Modrić, Džeko, Manuel Neuer, Craig Gordon, Ochoa, Vozinha, and Fernando Muslera. Oldest outfield player in a World Cup final Goalkeepers were historically the position that allowed players to stay active until later ages. When focusing only on outfield players, Nílton Santos stands out. The legendary left back was in Brazil’s lineup in 1962 at 37 years and 32 days. Messi and Ronaldo are the obvious names that could break this record, while Otamendi would need a Messi absence in a hypothetical final. Captaining back-to-back World Cup titles This record could only be broken by Messi, as Argentina are the defending champions. There were two teams that repeated as champions in the past, but their captains did not remain the same for different reasons. Italy’s 1934 title was captained by Giampiero Combi, who retired afterward and passed the armband to Giuseppe Meazza. Brazil’s captain in 1958 was Hilderaldo Bellini as the central defender. For the country, it is traditional that only a player in the starting lineup can be captain, so even though he was in the squad in 1962, the captain that year was Mauro Ramos. Winning the Golden Boot twice No player in World Cup history has ever won the Golden Boot twice, which could happen in this edition. The list includes three players who
While optimism has grown following the latest medical assessments, the chances of the superstar featuring in the opening match appear to be fading. With the 2026 World Cup fast approaching, Neymar remains one of the biggest talking points surrounding Brazil’s preparations, as Carlo Ancelotti and the national team continue to monitor the forward’s recovery from a calf injury. While optimism has grown following the latest medical assessments, the chances of the superstar featuring in the opening match appear to be fading. The Brazilian national team has already shown its strength during pre-tournament friendlies, but Neymar’s situation continues to dominate headlines. As the tournament draws closer, fresh evaluations have reportedly led Brazil’s coaching staff toward a revised plan regarding the captain’s return to competitive action. Brazil received encouraging news after Neymar underwent a scheduled MRI examination earlier this week. The Santos forward has been recovering from a grade-two muscle injury in his right calf, suffered during a match on May 17. According to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), the latest results confirmed that the rehabilitation process is progressing as expected. Medical staff believes the recovery remains within the original timeframe established when the injury was first diagnosed. 🚨 OFFICIAL: Brazilian Federation statement on Neymar Jr conditions.“Neymar underwent MRI on Monday and tests showed a good evolution in his treatment — within the expected parameters”.“He will follow the recovery preparation process planned by the medical commission of the… pic.twitter.com/DncM7GVj63— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 8, 2026 “The athlete Neymar underwent an MRI scan this Monday. The examination showed good progress in his treatment, within the expected parameters. He will continue the recovery and physical preparation process planned by the Brazilian National Team’s medical staff.” That update has strengthened confidence inside the camp, even though caution remains the priority. Ancelotti refuses to take risks Since taking charge of the national team, Carlo Ancelotti has repeatedly emphasized the importance of having Neymar available when it matters most. The Italian coach included the veteran playmaker in his final 26-man World Cup squad despite concerns surrounding his fitness. Brazil has already defeated Panama 6-2 and Egypt 2-1 without Neymar on the field. While those victories highlighted the squad’s attacking depth, Ancelotti knows the influence of the country’s all-time leading scorer could become crucial during the latter stages of the tournament. The coaching staff, therefore, appears unwilling to rush Neymar back before he is fully recovered. Doctors are reportedly following a carefully structured rehabilitation program designed to eliminate the risk of aggravating the injury. Fresh assessment reveals new target date While there had initially been hope that Neymar might recover quickly enough to make the bench against Morocco, recent evaluations have altered expectations. According to reports from Globo Esporte and ESPN Brasil, Brazil’s technical staff has effectively ruled out the possibility of Neymar featuring in the World Cup opener against Morocco on June 13. The latest examinations reportedly encouraged caution rather than accelerating the recovery process. Neymar Jr. of Brazil. The new objective has now become much clearer. Brazil is targeting Neymar’s return for the second group-stage match against Haiti on June 19. Internally, the coaching staff believes that the timeline offers the best balance between protecting the player and giving him enough time to regain match sharpness before the knockout rounds. The expectation is that Neymar will continue individualized training over the coming days before gradually returning to field work with teammates.
While Brazil issued a statement revealing that Neymar is making "good progress" in his recovery from injury, the star forward still doesn't have a return date to Carlo Ancelotti's side. Neymar is currently undergoing a specialized rehabilitation program for a right calf injury in a race to be fit for Carlo Ancelotti‘s side ahead of the 2026 World Cup. While the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) issued a statement revealing “good progress,” the Santos star remains without a definitive return date to action for the Brazil national team. The CBF released a statement on Monday announcing the update: “The athlete Neymar underwent an MRI this Monday. The exam indicated good progress in his treatment, within the expected parameters. He will continue the recovery and physical preparation process planned by the medical staff of the Brazilian National Team.“ Back on May 17, Neymar suffered a grade-two muscle strain in his right calf during Santos’ match against Coritiba, which marks the forward’s last competitive appearance. Upon reporting to the national team, further tests revealed the damage was more severe than a simple edema, prompting the medical staff to initiate an intensive treatment plan. Neymar missed both of Brazil’s pre-World Cup friendlies—the first against Panama at the Maracanã, followed by Saturday’s clash with Egypt. Instead of traveling with the squad to Cleveland, the forward remained at the team’s training base in New Jersey to continue his rehab with Brazil’s physiotherapy staff, utilizing an anti-gravity treadmill to run with minimal impact. Neymar Jr. of Brazil arrives to the United States ahead of the World Cup. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti has already dealt with his first pre-tournament injury blow, having to drop right back Wesley from the final roster and call up Ederson as a replacement. The Italian tactician has made it clear that he will not alter his 26-man squad to replace Neymar, and this positive medical update signals that the talismanic forward could still feature in the tournament. What’s next for Neymar? Despite what the Brazilian Confederation termed “good progress,” no exact timeline has been established for Neymar’s return to peak match fitness. With both pre-World Cup tune-ups now in the books, Neymar will have only a handful of training sessions left to integrate with the squad before their tournament opener. The expectation is that as Neymar continues to improve, he will eventually be cleared for individual ball work before being integrated back into full team training. In his press conference ahead of the Egypt friendly, Ancelotti expressed optimism that he could have his star attacker back on the training pitch later this week. Brazil kicks off its World Cup campaign against Morocco in just five days on Saturday, June 13. With his recovery timeline initially estimated at two to three weeks, Neymar is highly likely to sit out the opener against the African nation, leaving his availability for subsequent Group C matches against Haiti (June 19) and Scotland (June 24) dependent on his ongoing progress.
