Neymar ever closer to a return for Brazil: Ancelotti opens the door for Scotland, but the decision on his appearance remains cautious
Neymar's return to the Brazilian national team at the 2026 World Cup is getting ever closer, but his actual appearance against Scotland in the final round of Group C still cannot be viewed as a routine formality. After Brazil's 3-0 victory over Haiti, head coach Carlo Ancelotti said, according to Reuters, that he expects the 34-year-old forward to be available for the match in Miami Gardens. At the same time, this is a return after a calf injury, which means the final decision will be determined not only by the coach's assessment but also by the player's reaction to training sessions, workload and medical findings. Neymar's experience is important to Brazil, but at this stage of the tournament the risk assessment is equally important, because a premature return could have consequences for the continuation of the competition. That is why, ahead of the clash with Scotland, there is increasing talk about availability for the matchday squad and possible minutes, and less about a guaranteed place in the starting line-up.
Individual training as the first serious sign of progress
After the match against Haiti, Ancelotti explained that Neymar should begin training individually and then join the rest of the team, media reported, citing Reuters' release from the press conference. That announcement is the most concrete sign of progress since the Brazilian forward missed the start of the tournament because of a problem with his right calf. According to an earlier FIFA announcement, Neymar had a second-grade calf injury, with an expected recovery period of two to three weeks, which explains why the Brazilian staff acted cautiously from the outset. Reuters states that Neymar played his last official match before the tournament interruption for Santos on May 17, which further reinforces the question of competitive rhythm. For that reason, even the coach's positive announcement does not automatically mean that Neymar will play a larger part of the match, but rather that the possibility of a controlled return is opening up if the medical staff confirms that there has been no adverse reaction.
Brazil does not want to repeat a scenario of premature haste
So far in the tournament, Brazil has had to balance the need for results with caution regarding one of the most important players of his generation. Neymar has had several major injury layoffs in his career, and continuity of appearances was precisely the central issue ahead of the World Cup. In such a context, the decision on his return cannot be merely tactical, not even when it is a match that could determine first place in the group. According to the available information, the Brazilian staff wants to avoid a situation in which short-term benefit against Scotland would jeopardize the possibility of using Neymar in the knockout phase. This is especially important because the 2026 tournament is being played in an expanded format, with an additional elimination round, so teams that want to go all the way must carefully manage the physical workload of key players.
Group C: Brazil in a good position, but still without room to relax
The Scotland - Brazil match is scheduled for June 24 at Miami Stadium, the official name of Hard Rock Stadium during the World Cup, according to FIFA's schedule. Brazil enter the final round with four points, the same number as Morocco, while Scotland are on three points and Haiti are without points and without a chance of advancing, Reuters reported after Brazil's triumph in Philadelphia. According to the same report, a win or a draw against Scotland is enough for Brazil to qualify for the round of 32, the new round of 32 national teams. FIFA states in the tournament rules that the two best national teams from each group advance, along with the eight best third-placed teams, which means the ranking of third-placed teams can also be of great importance. For Brazil, first place in the group is therefore significant not only because of prestige but also because of a potentially more favorable schedule in the rest of the competition.
The victory over Haiti reduced the pressure, but did not remove all questions
Against Haiti, Brazil achieved the result they needed after a 1-1 draw with Morocco in the group opener. Reuters reported that Matheus Cunha scored two goals in the first half, while Vinícius Júnior added the third goal in first-half stoppage time. Cunha first scored in the 23rd minute after a rebound, his second goal came in the 36th minute after a pass from Vinícius, and Vinícius made it 3-0 by taking advantage of a long ball sent by Lucas Paquetá. Such an outcome allowed Ancelotti a calmer second half and reduced the need to take risks with players who are not fully fit. Still, the impression was not exclusively triumphalist, because Brazil lowered the intensity in the second half, while the discussion about the depth of the attack continues.
Matheus Cunha opened a new dilemma in attack
Neymar's return is not happening in a vacuum, but in a team where the attacking hierarchy is already changing from match to match. Cunha's performance against Haiti gave Ancelotti an additional option in the center of attack, especially because Brazil had been looking for a clearer solution for finishing moves after the first round. Reuters reported that Ancelotti did not want to commit to Cunha keeping the same role against Scotland, but he praised his positioning and the way he created problems for the defense. The coach also emphasized that he does not want a completely fixed team identity and that solutions can change depending on the opponent. In that sense, Neymar does not necessarily have to replace anyone from the starting eleven, but can become an additional creative layer in a match in which Brazil will need both ball control and penetration between the lines.
What Neymar can bring if he gets minutes
Neymar's greatest value to Brazil at this moment is not only individual quality, but the ability to speed up the attack when the opponent drops deep and closes the central corridors. In high-pressure matches, Brazil often need a player who can receive the ball between the midfield and defensive lines, draw a foul, open space for Vinícius Júnior or change the rhythm with a single pass. That is precisely why even a shorter appearance against Scotland could make sense if the risk is judged to be acceptable. On the other hand, if the match is physically demanding and if Brazil get an early result that suits them, the staff could conclude that it is more sensible to save him for the knockout phase. According to the available information, none of these options has been ruled out, and the final decision will depend on the next training sessions.
Scotland remain an awkward opponent with a clear motive
After the victory over Haiti, Ancelotti warned that Scotland have qualities that can create problems for Brazil, Reuters reported. That assessment is not merely a diplomatic formulation, because Scotland enter the final round with a real interest in improving their position in the group. After a 1-0 defeat to Morocco, the Scottish national team have three points and cannot rely solely on calculations among the third-placed teams. Brazil therefore expect an opponent who will have to play aggressively enough to stay in contention, but also in an organized enough way not to leave too much space for Vinícius, Raphinha, Cunha or possibly Neymar. For Ancelotti, that clash will be a test of control, patience and the ability of his team not to lose its structure while searching for a result.
Miami Stadium as Brazil's next big stage
FIFA states that Miami Stadium will host several matches at the 2026 World Cup, while city and stadium information confirms that this is Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, which during the tournament carries a neutral name because of rules on commercial names. For Brazil, playing at that stadium will carry both competitive and symbolic weight, because it is there that qualification for the knockout phase can be confirmed. Miami Gardens is one of the American centers of the tournament, and the match against Scotland comes at a moment when Brazil are seeking continuity after a less convincing start and a more convincing result against Haiti. If Neymar is included in the matchday squad, the attention of the global audience will be focused even more on whether one of the most recognizable players of his generation can once again take on an active role on the biggest stage. If he is not ready, Brazil will at least have confirmation that the return process has entered a more final phase.
Brazil's broader calculation: form, health and the road to the knockout phase
For the five-time world champions, Neymar's status is part of a broader discussion about how ready Ancelotti's team is for the final stages of the tournament. FIFA's report on the draw with Morocco highlighted that Brazil and Morocco shared the points in a match in which Ismael Saibari and Vinícius Júnior scored, and that result immediately raised questions about Brazil's balance. The victory over Haiti improved the table and confidence, but it did not erase the need for better connection between midfield and attack. Neymar could help with that, but only if he is fit enough for his return not to disrupt the team's intensity and defensive responsibility. Ancelotti's challenge is therefore not only to decide whether Neymar will play, but when to use him, in what role and with which players around him.
A decision that will reveal Brazil's priorities
Neymar's possible return against Scotland comes at a moment when Brazil have a result that allows them to be cautious, but also the ambition to finish the group at the top. According to Reuters, Ancelotti said that Brazil are not thinking about eliminating Scotland, but about their own progress, good preparation and securing the best possible position for the continuation of the competition. Such an approach describes the current situation well: Brazil want Neymar, but not at any cost. If training confirms that the recovery is proceeding without complications, he could get his first minutes of the tournament against Scotland. If the assessment is different, the more realistic scenario will remain a return in the knockout phase, when Brazil could once again count on his experience, creativity and ability to change a match with a single move.
Sources:
- Reuters / Asharq Al-Awsat – Ancelotti's statement on Neymar's individual training, possible availability against Scotland and the state of Group C (link)
- Reuters / Asharq Al-Awsat – report on the Brazil - Haiti 3-0 match, scorers, group standings and Haiti's elimination (link)
- FIFA – official schedule of the 2026 World Cup and confirmation of the Scotland - Brazil match at Miami Stadium on June 24 (link)
- FIFA – explanation of the competition format, the advancement of the two best national teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams (link)
- FIFA – announcement about Neymar's second-grade calf injury and the expected recovery period (link)
- FIFA – report on the Brazil - Morocco 1-1 match in the first round of Group C (link)
- FIFA – information about Miami as a host city and Miami Stadium during the 2026 World Cup (link)