Neymar Ruled Out of 2026 World Cup Qualifiers Due to Injury
Brazilian football star Neymar will miss the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Colombia and Argentina due to a persistent thigh injury, delaying his highly anticipated return to the national squad.
The 33-year-old forward has faced a series of injuries over the past 18 months but recently looked revitalized after rejoining his childhood club, Santos, in February. His return followed a short spell with Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal.
Neymar Expresses Disappointment
Taking to Instagram, Neymar shared his frustration over missing the qualifiers.
“I was so close to returning, but unfortunately, I won’t be able to wear the most important jersey in the world just yet,” he wrote.
He further explained that after extensive discussions, the decision was made to prioritize his recovery. “We all agreed that avoiding risks and focusing on a full recovery is the best approach,” he added.
Brazil Adjusts Squad for Key Matches
With Brazil currently in fifth place in South American World Cup qualifying, head coach Dorival Junior had initially recalled Neymar, the nation’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, to strengthen the squad. However, in his absence, Real Madrid’s rising star Endrick has been called up to fill the spot.
Brazil is set to face Colombia in Brasília on March 20, followed by a high-stakes match against reigning World Cup champions Argentina in Buenos Aires on March 25.
Despite his injury struggles, Neymar recently found the net for the first time in over 14 months, scoring for Santos just weeks ago—marking a significant moment since his return to the club where he first made his name.
