Neymar's Impact on Brazil's World Cup Journey

Neymar hasn’t kicked a ball at this World Cup yet, but he’s already changed the mood of Brazil’s camp.

Left out of the matchday squads for the 1-1 draw with Morocco and the 3-0 win over Haiti, the No. 10 has been confined to the training pitch. Even there, his presence has felt like a jolt of electricity for a group still trying to find its full rhythm in Group C.

Lucas Paqueta, speaking on Sunday, didn’t bother hiding how much it means to have Neymar back among them.

“We're all very happy to see him training and back on the pitch with us. Neymar is a very important player for the Brazilian national team,” he told reporters. “He has an extraordinary history with this shirt and he can still help us a lot. We're glad he's back and we hope he'll be available as soon as possible to contribute to the team.”

The hope is simple: that the training-ground smiles soon turn into minutes on the pitch. If Neymar is passed fit, his first appearance at this tournament would also be his first competitive game for Brazil since 2023. For a side chasing top spot and, ultimately, a sixth star, that kind of comeback carries weight.

Lift from Neymar, void from Raphinha

For all the optimism around Neymar, Brazil are still nursing a major loss on the opposite flank. Raphinha, the Barcelona winger who has become a key outlet for the Selecao, is sidelined with a hamstring injury. His absence strips some of the snap and width from Brazil’s attack and clouds the rest of his tournament in doubt.

The squad knows it. So does Paqueta.

“Right now he has the support of the whole group. We're by his side and we'll do everything we can to help him during his recovery,” the Flamengo midfielder said. “He's a guy who works really hard and I'm sure he'll do everything possible to come back as soon as he can. As for his importance, there's not much more to add. He's coming off some extraordinary seasons and has grown a lot with the national team as well.”

One talisman edging closer to a return. Another creative spark stuck in rehab. Brazil’s World Cup story is already balancing hope and frustration before the knockout rounds have even begun.

No room for comfort against Scotland

On paper, Brazil look secure. Four points from two games, top of Group C, and a squad stacked with talent. But the margins are thinner than the table suggests.

Morocco, level on points, face already eliminated Haiti in the group’s other game. If Brazil slip, they could easily surrender first place. Victory is the only way to keep control of their route through the tournament.

Waiting for them at Miami Stadium is a Scotland side carrying its own sense of urgency. Steve Clarke’s team still dreams of reaching the knockout stages for the first time in their history. A positive result against Brazil could be enough to drag them over the line.

Paqueta has no intention of treating them like underdogs.

“All the teams at the World Cup deserve respect. You have to study them and prepare as best as possible to face them,” he said. “We have great respect for Scotland, but we also know we need to play our game and follow what the coach asks of us. Regardless of the opponent, our goal in every match is to win.”

That is the line from inside the camp: respect everyone, fear no one, and stop talking about five stars as if they guarantee anything in 2026.

Fine-tuning before the real tests

Brazil’s performances so far have flickered rather than burned. A laboured draw with Morocco, a more convincing but still imperfect 3-0 against Haiti. The results are acceptable; the standard, by their own measure, is not.

The coming days are about sharpening the edges. Tightening the details. Turning the emotional lift of Neymar’s return into tactical clarity and attacking fluency, even as they adapt to life without Raphinha for however long it takes.

Top spot in Group C is there for them if they handle their business. So is a cleaner, more convincing version of themselves.

And if Neymar does finally step over the white line in Miami, the World Cup will feel very different – not just for Brazil, but for everyone watching to see whether their old talisman can still bend a tournament to his will.