Brazil will be without Neymar for their second World Cup group‑stage clash against Haiti in Philadelphia on Friday, with the forward still recovering from a calf injury, the Brazilian football association confirmed.
In a statement on Thursday, officials said Neymar would remain in New Jersey to complete the final phase of his rehabilitation, taking advantage of the facilities at The Ridge hotel and the Columbia Park training centre.
The 34‑year‑old trained lightly with the squad on Wednesday, warming up separately before joining some ball drills, but Brazil’s medical staff remain cautious.
Until this week, Neymar had been restricted to indoor sessions with physiotherapists and fitness coaches. His injury a right‑calf strain suffered during Santos’ 3-0 loss to Coritiba last month is the latest in a long series of setbacks that have kept him out of Brazil’s national team for nearly three years.
Brazil enter their second match with just one point, following a draw against Morocco. Haiti sit bottom of the group after losing to Scotland, making Friday’s fixture crucial for both sides.
For now, Brazil will have to push forward without their most recognisable star and hope his recovery stays on track for the matches ahead.
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