Neymar misses Brazil v Egypt friendly as Brazil finalise World Cup preparations
Latest team news: Neymar will not travel for Brazil's friendly with Egypt as he completes calf injury recovery; Carlo Ancelotti says medical tests are due and the striker could rejoin the group next week.
Neymar absent as Brazil face Egypt in final World Cup friendly
Who: Neymar will not be part of Brazil's squad for the friendly against Egypt. What: The forward is finishing the final stages of recovery from a calf injury and will undergo medical tests Saturday to assess fitness. When: The match takes place this Saturday in Cleveland, Ohio, as Brazil's last warm-up before the 2026 FIFA World Cup next week. Why it matters: Neymar's availability is a key selection and tactical question for Brazil as they finalise their World Cup squad and match plans.
Why it matters
Brazil are one week away from their World Cup opener, so the Cleveland friendly serves as a final fitness and tactical check. Neymar remains a focal point for selection and attacking shape; his absence for this match means Carlo Ancelotti must confirm starters and combinations without one of Brazil's most influential attacking players. The match against Mohamed Salah's Egypt will also be a sterner test than Brazil's recent friendly win over Panama, offering a clearer read on the starters' readiness.
What Ancelotti said and the medical plan
Carlo Ancelotti told reporters that Neymar is "doing excellent individual work" as he progresses through rehabilitation. Ancelotti added that Neymar will undergo medical tests on Saturday; if those go well, he could rejoin the main group next week. The coach's comments stop short of declaring Neymar fit for Brazil's World Cup opener, leaving a final decision dependent on test outcomes and medical clearance.
Projected lineups and squad notes
The source provides projected starting XIs for both teams. Brazil's projected lineup (without Neymar) is: Alisson; Wesley, Marquinhos, Leo Pereira, Douglas Santos; Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes, Lucas Paqueta; Raphinha, Igor Thiago, Vinicius Junior. Egypt's projected lineup is: Mohamed El Shenawy; Mohamed Hany, Ahmed Hegazi, Rami Rabia, Mohamed Hamdi; Hamdi Fathi, Marwan Attia, Trezeguet; Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush, Mostafa Mohamed.
The report also notes Gabriel Magalhaes will be unavailable for selection after taking part in the UEFA Champions League final with Arsenal one week earlier; that helps explain his omission from the projected Brazil XI.
- Neymar is absent for Brazil's friendly with Egypt as he finishes recovery from a calf injury.
- Ancelotti: Neymar is doing "excellent individual work" and will have medical tests on Saturday; rejoining the group could follow.
- Brazil play Egypt in Cleveland, Ohio, one week before the 2026 World Cup starts for Brazil.
- Projected Brazil XI (source): Alisson; Wesley, Marquinhos, Leo Pereira, Douglas Santos; Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes, Lucas Paqueta; Raphinha, Igor Thiago, Vinicius Junior.
- Projected Egypt XI (source): Mohamed El Shenawy; Mohamed Hany, Ahmed Hegazi, Rami Rabia, Mohamed Hamdi; Hamdi Fathi, Marwan Attia, Trezeguet; Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush, Mostafa Mohamed.
- Gabriel Magalhaes is also absent after playing in the Champions League final for Arsenal.
Context: form and tune-up concerns
The source references Brazil's 6-2 friendly win over Panama last weekend but highlights concerns about the starters' performance — with only a 2-1 lead at half-time before substitutes extended the scoreline. Facing Egypt, who recently beat Russia 1-0, offers a tougher assessment ahead of the World Cup and will test Brazil's starting XI more seriously.
What happens next
Neymar's immediate next step is the Saturday medical assessment; the result will determine whether he rejoins Brazil's group next week and is available for selection in the tournament opener. Brazil's performance against Egypt should provide final selection clues for Ancelotti and the coaching staff before they travel to the World Cup.