World Cup 2026: Neymar's debut is approaching; The star has already trained with his teammates
The Brazilian star worked at the same pace as his teammates and showed positive signs of recovery after overcoming a muscle injury.
The wait seems to be coming to an end for Neymar and the Brazil team. The Santos forward completed his first training session this Wednesday with the rest of the group since the start of training camp for the 2026 World Cup, news that fuels the expectation of seeing him in action again during the match against Haiti corresponding to the second day of Group C.
The attacker, who had been out of action since May 17 due to a right calf injury, appeared recovered and in good spirits during the practice held in Morristown, New Jersey, where Brazil is preparing its next World Cup matches.
Neymar reappears in public and generates excitement in Brazil
The presence of the number 10 was one of the big news of the day in the Brazilian camp. Neymar appeared smiling at the training facilities accompanied by Marquinhos and Raphinha, two of the current leaders of the squad.
“Did you miss me?” asked the footballer to the journalists and photographers present, starring in one of the most talked about moments of training.
His return was also celebrated by his teammates, who welcomed him with applause and jokes during the first minutes of the session.
Although he had already worked on the grass on Tuesday, that practice was carried out individually. This Wednesday was the first time he completed exercises alongside the rest of the group.
Will Neymar play against Haiti in the 2026 World Cup?
The physical evolution of the forward opens the door to a possible participation against Haiti, although within the coaching staff they remain cautious regarding his condition.
Carlo Ancelotti's priority is to avoid any relapse and carefully manage the attacker's minutes, who arrives after several weeks of recovery.
Despite this, the simple fact of seeing him once again integrated into the collective dynamic represents encouraging news for a team that aspires to fight for the 2026 World Cup title.
Danilo highlights the impact that Neymar can have
One of the footballers who publicly valued the forward's return was Danilo, who highlighted the influence he can exert even before touching the ball.
“He can help us a lot, just by the mere fact of being on the field he can unbalance everything that the opponent has prepared,” said the Brazilian full-back.
The defender also expressed his wish that Neymar reach his best physical version during the competition.
“Wherever he has gone he has shown his quality,” he added.
The statements reflect the confidence that exists within the locker room around the figure of the attacker, considered one of the leaders of the group due to experience and talent.
The injury that put his presence in the World Cup in doubt
The uncertainty regarding Neymar's participation began on May 17, when he suffered an injury during a Brasileirão match, just one day before Carlo Ancelotti announced the final call-up for the World Cup.
Initially, Santos reported that the player only had muscle edema. However, subsequent studies carried out by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) revealed a grade II injury, with an estimated recovery period of between two and three weeks.
Despite this, Ancelotti decided to keep him on the squad list, convinced that his experience could be decisive during the tournament.
An expected return after a long absence with Brazil
Beyond the recent muscle injury, Neymar is also looking to regain continuity with the Brazilian shirt after a long period away from the national team.
The forward has not played a match for Brazil since October 2023, when he suffered a serious knee injury during a World Cup qualifying match against Uruguay.
Now, with the medical discharge getting closer and closer and training again with his teammates, the big question is whether Brazil's top offensive reference will be able to add minutes against Haiti and begin his path in the 2026 World Cup.

