Neymar could miss World Cup group stage as Brazil prioritise fitness

Brazil could navigate the World Cup group stage without Neymar as medical staff prioritise his long-term fitness. The 32-year-old is recovering from a grade-two calf injury sustained while playing for Santos on May 17 and has not trained with Carlo Ancelotti since arriving at Granja Comary on May 27.

Coaching staff are focusing on a return for the knockout rounds. He has increased his workload in the gym and is set to step onto the pitch for individual work this week, but remains far from match fitness and has yet to reintegrate with team-mates on the grass.

Medical staff will only clear him for full team sessions once they are certain he is pain-free, and his lack of competitive rhythm after more than a month out is a major factor in the decision-making. The plan effectively rules him out of the opening match against Haiti in Philadelphia and makes him a major doubt for the final group game against Scotland in Miami on June 24, with Brazil maintaining a conservative approach only if results allow.

Brazil, Philadelphia, Miami

neymar, brazil, world cup, calf injury, santos, granja comary, carlo ancelotti, match fitness, haiti, scotland