Neymar skips Cleveland trip with Brazil as he continues recovery

Jun 2, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Brazil forward Neymar Jr arrives for the  2026 FIFA World Cup at Newark Liberty International Airport. Reuters

Neymar will not travel to Cleveland for Brazil's World Cup warm-up match against Egypt on Saturday as he continues to receive intensive treatment for a calf injury, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on Thursday.

"Neymar will not travel with the delegation to Cleveland," the CBF said in a statement. "He will remain in New Jersey, undergoing physical therapy and intensifying his physical recovery programme."

Brazil's all-time leading scorer is sidelined by a Grade 2 calf strain, a moderate muscle injury involving a partial tear.

The Brazilian coaching staff remain hopeful that the 34-year-old will be available for their World Cup opener against Morocco on Jun 13.

The five-time World Cup winners will also face Haiti and Scotland in Group C.