Is Neymar playing in World Cup today vs Haiti? Brazil injury update

PHILADELPHIA — Neymar continues to make progress on his way back from a calf injury that he sustained before joining Brazil for the 2026 World Cup.

He, however, hasn't reached the stage of his recovery to be game-ready just yet.

Brazil ruled out the star midfielder, who is making his fourth World Cup appearance for The Canarinho, on Thursday for its Group C match vs. Haiti at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia at 8:30 p.m. ET on Friday.

Neymar, in fact, will not be in Philadelphia at all for Friday's World Cup game as he will be staying back at Brazil's training facility in Morris Township, New Jersey. He was on the sidelines for Brazil's first World Cup game vs. Morocco at MetLife Stadium.

Brazil picked up one point in its Group C opener last Saturday with a 1-1 draw against Morocco. Entering Friday's match vs. Haiti, Brazil is tied on points for first place with Morocco and Scotland in Group C (though Scotland holds the goal-differential tiebreaker after a 1-0 win over Haiti).

Watch World Cup on Fubo (free trial)

Here's the latest on Neymar:

Is Neymar playing today vs Haiti? World Cup status

No. Neymar will once again be sidelined for Brazil's second World Cup Group C match vs. Haiti on Friday due to injury. He continues to work back from a calf injury that he sustained while playing for his club soccer team, Santos FC.

It will be the second straight World Cup game that Neymar will miss, and the fourth straight for the Brazil national team, as he did not compete in their two pre-World Cup friendly matches against Panama and Egypt.

There has been some progress in Neymar's road back from his calf injury in recent days, however, as he has been on the field training in recent days. He's staying back at the facility near New York City to optimize the final phase of his recovery, according to The Brazilian Football Confederation, also known as CBF.

Here's a video of Neymar taking the field for training on Thursday:

Is Neymar injured?

Yes, Neymar is dealing with a calf injury that he sustained while playing for Santos. The injury was expected to keep him out for "two to three weeks."

"He arrived at Granja Comary yesterday, underwent a full medical examination, which included an MRI scan that revealed a grade two calf injury, not just swelling," Brazil national team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said on May 28. "He is expected to be fit to play in two to three weeks."

Brazil vs Haiti World Cup Group C match start time today

Date: Friday, June 19

Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

Location: Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)

TV channel: Fox Sports 1

Streaming options: Fox Sports Go app | Fubo (free trial) | Peacock (Spanish)

The Group C match between Brazil and Haiti will start at 8:30 p.m. ET on Friday, June 19 from Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia Stadium) in Philadelphia. The match will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1 with streaming options including Fubo, which offers a free trial, and Peacock, NBC's subscription streaming service that will carry the Spanish broadcast.

Another streaming option is the Fox Sports Go app (with a TV login).

Brazil 2026 World Cup Schedule

Below is a look at Brazil’s Group C schedule for the 2026 World Cup:

June 13: Brazil 1, Morocco 1

June 19: Brazil vs Haiti, 9 p.m. ET, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia on FS1

June 24: Brazil vs Scotland, 6 p.m. ET, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla. On FS1

Streaming available on Fubo or the Fox One App. Spanish language broadcasts are available on Telemundo and Peacock.

Brazil World Cup history

Brazil is back in the World Cup for the 23rd time after last qualifying in 2022. The country's best result in the tournament is a championship (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002).

Click here to read article