Veteran forward Neymar Jr. is Brazil's all-time leading scorer, including eight goals over three previous World Cup appearances. File Photo by Chris Brunskill/UPI | License Photo
June 18 (UPI) -- Neymar Jr. will not play in Brazil's group stage meeting with Haiti at the 2026 World Cup, the Brazilian Football Confederation announced Thursday.
The Santos forward, who has been out for a month due to a right calf injury, trained with Brazil this week in Morristown, N.J.
"Neymar will not travel with the team to Philadelphia," the CBF said. "He will remain in New Jersey to optimize the final phase of his recovery process, making use of the excellent facilities at the Ridge hotel and the Columbia Park training center."
The Brazilians, who are ranked No. 5 in the FIFA world rankings, earned a 1-1 draw with No. 6 Morocco in their Group C opener Saturday in East Rutherford, N.J. They will meet No. 85 Haiti in their second group stage match Thursday in Philadelphia.
