Brazil will be without its all-time top goal scorer to start the World Cup.
Neymar will miss Brazil's tournament opener against Morocco, soccer insider Fabrizio Romano reported on Friday.
After initial doubts about his fitness, Neymar was named to Brazil's squad in May.
The 34-year-old attacking midfielder didn't travel with the team for its exhibition tuneup against Egypt in Cleveland on June 4.
A week prior, Brazil said that Neymar was expected to be out for two to three weeks due to a calf injury.
Picking Neymar for the 26-player roster was considered a risk because of his health. He is Brazil’s all-time leading goal scorer with 79 but has struggled since returning from tearing the ACL in his left knee in October 2023 in a World Cup qualifier.
“He can still improve his fitness until the first match of the World Cup,” coach Carlos Ancelotti said last month. “He has experience in this kind of competition, the love of our group, he can create a better environment in this group.”
Neymar has played eight matches for Santos FC this year and has four goals and two assists.
FIFA rules allow an injured player to be replaced up to one day before a team’s first game at the tournament. If he plays, this would be Neymar's fourth World Cup.
—With files from the Associated Press
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