Brazil's medical team has confirmed that Neymar is progressing well in his recovery from a Grade 2 calf muscle tear, though it remains unclear whether the 34-year-old will be fit in time for the Seleção's opening 2026 World Cup fixture against Morocco at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

An MRI scan conducted on Monday returned encouraging results, with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) stating that the tests showed "a good evolution in his treatment — within the expected parameters." The CBF added that Neymar "will follow the recovery preparation process planned by the medical commission of the Brazilian National Team."

The update was shared publicly by journalist Fabrizio Romano via his X account, citing the official CBF statement directly.

A long road back for Brazil's number 10

Neymar was initially given a two-to-three-week recovery window after sustaining the injury last month, and he has already been absent for Brazil's warm-up matches against Panama and Egypt. His inclusion in the World Cup squad raised eyebrows in some quarters, given that fitness problems have kept him away from international duty entirely since 2023.

This season at Santos, Neymar has featured in only half of the club's matches across the Brazilian league, the domestic cup, and the Copa Sudamericana — a further indication of the persistent physical challenges he has faced in recent years.

Ancelotti not rushing his star man

Coach Carlo Ancelotti, speaking last week, expressed confidence that Neymar would be available for either Brazil's first or second group-stage game and made clear he had no intention of accelerating the striker's return before he was fully prepared.

Should Neymar miss the Morocco clash, Brazil's campaign against one of Africa's strongest sides will open without the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward — a player who has been central to each of Brazil's last three World Cup campaigns.