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Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed he anticipates Neymar will make his first 2026 World Cup appearance during the team's final group stage fixture against Scotland.
After battling injuries over the past few years, there were serious questions about whether Neymar would even earn a place in Brazil's squad. Despite making the roster, the 34-year-old was then hit by a calf injury that has sidelined him for his country's opening two matches of the tournament.
Speculation had suggested Neymar might not return until the knockout rounds, but Ancelotti has now indicated he expects the forward to be ready in time for Wednesday's clash with Scotland.
"Neymar will be training individually tomorrow, and on Monday he'll be joining the rest of the squad," Ancelotti disclosed following Brazil's 3–0 victory over Haiti.
"He will be available for the match against Scotland."
What Role Will Neymar Play for Brazil?
Despite Ancelotti confirming Neymar's availability for the Scotland match, supporters hoping to see the Santos star in the starting eleven should manage their expectations accordingly.
With nearly a month away from competitive action, Neymar is very unlikely to be thrust straight into the first team, especially considering the significance of the game in Brazil's push to top Group C. Ancelotti's men currently lead the group but only on goal difference and could slip to third if results don't go their way.
Consequently, a place on the bench seems the most probable outcome for Neymar, who could be introduced late in the game to inject some of his characteristic attacking creativity. He impressed for Brazil throughout qualifying, but given three years and several significant injuries, an immediate return to that level shouldn't be expected.
Primarily regarded as a winger, Neymar has more recently been deployed in central positions, functioning either as a centre-forward or an attacking midfielder. Ancelotti's intentions for him remain unclear, though the manager clearly has numerous options when it comes to integrating Neymar into the lineup.
SI answers is our AI answer engine trained on human-created content.
A knock sustained by Raphinha during the Haiti victory could create a wide opening for Neymar, though Rayan, Luiz Henrique, and Gabriel Martinelli may all rank ahead of Brazil's all-time leading scorer in the selection hierarchy.
A short cameo off the bench may be the most Neymar can realistically hope for against Scotland, with more substantial playing time expected once the knockout phase begins.