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Neymar available off the bench as Brazil face Japan in World Cup round of 32

Neymar remains without a start at the 2026 World Cup but is available from the bench as Brazil take on Japan in the round of 32 on Thursday in Houston. The forward returned from a calf injury in the group-stage finale against Scotland, playing 14 minutes.

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Neymar available off the bench as Brazil face Japan in World Cup round of 32
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Neymar is in contention to feature from the bench when Brazil face Japan in the round of 32 at Houston Stadium on Thursday, though the forward has yet to start a match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 33-year-old missed Brazil’s opening two group-stage fixtures with a calf injury sustained on May 17 while playing for Santos in Brazil. The initial recovery window was set at two to three weeks, and Neymar returned on June 24, coming off the bench in the group-stage finale against Scotland and playing 14 minutes.

With no start to his name at this tournament, Neymar’s role against Japan appears likely to remain a substitute option rather than a first-choice selection, though Brazil’s coaching staff have not ruled out a more prominent role should the game demand it.

The stakes for Brazil are significant in their own right. A place in the round of 16 is on the line — a stage Brazil have reached in every edition of the World Cup since 1966 and in every tournament since the modern group-stage format was introduced in 1986. That unbroken run now spans nearly four decades.

Should Brazil progress past Japan, they will face the winner of Ivory Coast vs. Norway in the round of 16.

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