Carlo Ancelotti has suggested that Neymar could walk for 90 minutes if Brazils record scorer plays for the Selecao for the first time since October 2023 when the record five-time champions face Scotland on Wednesday.Despite being an icon in his homeland, Neymars inclusion in his countrys squad for the finals was a significant surprise after a lengthy international exile because of a knee operation and subsequent injuries and fitness issues, including a calf tear that has kept the 34-year-old out of Brazils first two group stage matches.He can play, head coach Ancelotti said before Brazil attempt to win Group C. Hes fine. Neymar is available. I can walk for 90 minutes. He trained very well.Hes worked very hard, with great seriousness, trying to recover as soon as possible. Im very happy with him. Neymars attitude over these past few days has been very good.Table of ContentsWorld Cup 2026: How Neymar could influence Brazil vs ScotlandIs Neymar playing in the World Cup 2026? Brazil fixturesNeymar World Cup statsWorld Cup 2026: Who could Brazil replace Neymar with?World Cup 2026: How Neymar could influence Brazil vs ScotlandAncelotti left Neymar out of a squad as recently as March and the most expensive footballer in history had a knee procedure in April in an attempt to be fit for the finals.The former Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona striker had played 682 minutes for club side Santos in 2026 before he suffered his latest injury in late May, but Ancelotti says Neymars influence off the pitch has also been important.He knows his teammates very well, explained Ancelotti. If he doesnt play, he helps with his experience, his knowledge of the game. He helps the younger players.Vinicius Junior and Matheus Cunha have scored twice each across Brazils 1-1 draw with Morocco and subsequent 3-0 win over Haiti, and Neymars return could be timely after forward Raphinha suffered a hamstring injury against the Grenadiers.[Neymar] prepared well for the game so he can play with the other players, said Ancelotti. With his quality, he can help the team.Is Neymar playing in the World Cup 2026? Brazil fixturesHeres how Brazils initial schedule looks and their subsequent potential fixtures, as well as the UK TV channel.Asterisk denotes match starting the previous day in specified territory.DateMatchResultStageTime (BST)ETPTChannelJune 13Morocco1-1Group23:0018:0015:00BBCJune 20Haiti3-0Group01:3020:30*17:30*ITVJune 24ScotlandGroup23:0018:00*15:00*BBCJune 29/30TBCRound of 32TBCTBCTBCTBCJuly 4/5TBCRound of 16TBCTBCTBCTBCJuly 9/11TBCQuarter-finalsTBCTBCTBCTBCJuly 14/15TBCSemi-finalsTBCTBCTBCTBCJuly 18TBCThird-placed match22:0017:0012:00TBCJuly 19TBCFinal20:0015:0010:00BBC, ITVNeymar World Cup statsThe 2021 Copa America Best Player has 128 caps and broke Peles record by scoring the 78th of his 79 international goals during Brazils World Cup qualifier against Bolivia in September 2023, but ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament against Uruguay the following month.After missing two games at the 2022 World Cup with an ankle injury, Neymar produced two goals and one assists but was part of a team knocked out by Croatia in the quarter-finals.The result ensured he has never played beyond the last eight of the tournament, having been ever-present and contributed two goals and two assists before Brazil were knocked out at that stage by Belgium in 2018.At his first World Cup in 2014, Neymar finished on four goals and one assist in five games but missed Brazils 7-1 semi-final defeat to Germany and 3-0 third-placed match loss to the Netherlands through injury.World Cup 2026: Who could Brazil replace Neymar with?Ancelotti gave a World Cup debut to Endrick, who contributed five goals and seven assists in 16 appearances in Ligue 1 last season for Lyon on loan from Real Madrid, when the 19-year-old replaced Cunha in the 64th minute against Haiti.I notice that the fans are really rooting for Endrick, but [now] we also have Neymar, said the Italian. So will the fans be undecided between Endrick or Neymar? I think theyll support both of them.Brazil are among the favourites to win the World Cup and Ancelotti is not short of forward options who have been prolific across Europe since Neymar last played regularly.Gabriel Martinelli won the 2025/26 Premier League with Arsenal, Igor Thiago scored 22 times for Brentford to finish as the second-top scorer in last seasons English top flight and Cunha netted nine times in his final 21 appearances of the season for Manchester United.Newcomer Rayan, 19, appears poised to supplant Raphinha and netted in three consecutive games across April and May to help Bournemouth qualify for Europe for the first time a scoring sequence Luiz Henrique repeated for Zenit in the Russian Premier League.Raphinha had an injury-strewn season but scored 13 times in 22 La Liga games for Barcelona, with Vinicius Junior matching that total across the Spanish top flight and the Champions League for Madrid. Topics 2026 FIFA World Cup Brazil National Football Team Carlo Ancelotti FIFA World Cup Neymar Scotland National Football Team World Cup World Cup 2026 Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Switzerland v Canada: World Cup 2026 line-ups, stats and preview, TV channel, live online stream and prediction Ben Miller 24th June, 2026 Lionel Messi: World Cup 2026 playing schedule, fixtures, kick off times, where to watch, confirmed news updates and full Argentina squad Ben Miller 24th June, 2026 World Cup 2026: Full fixtures, dates, games, schedule and results from FIFA football finals Ben Miller 24th June, 2026 World Cup 2026: Full list of confirmed teams, fixtures, groups and results Ben Miller 24th June, 2026 FIFA World Cup 2026: Full England fixtures, results, schedule, confirmed squad, next match, kick off times Ben Miller 24th June, 2026 World Cup 2026: Where to watch England and Scotland games on TV, full BBC and ITV listings, confirmed channels, schedule, live online streams, kick off times Ben Miller 24th June, 2026
