World Cup 2026 Injury Tracker: Neymar, Pulisic, and the Race for Fitness

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially underway across North America, but for several top contenders, the most critical battles are currently happening in the medical room. With the expanded 48-team format demanding immense physical endurance, national team managers are closely monitoring the fitness of their biggest stars.[4][8]

Brazil entered the tournament facing significant uncertainty surrounding their all-time leading scorer, Neymar. The 34-year-old forward sustained a grade two calf injury while playing for Santos in May, forcing him to miss Brazil's opening group stage match against Morocco.[1][2]

However, the Brazilian camp remains optimistic. Manager Carlo Ancelotti recently noted that Neymar is undergoing intensive physiotherapy in New Jersey and has returned to partial training. Ancelotti hopes his star attacker will be available for their second Group C fixture against Haiti in Philadelphia.[2]

The United States Men's National Team is managing a high-profile fitness race of its own. Christian Pulisic was substituted at half-time during the USMNT's emphatic 4-1 opening victory over Paraguay after taking a knock to his leg.[3]

Manager Mauricio Pochettino quickly moved to allay fears, describing Pulisic's modified training schedule as precautionary. Midfielder Tyler Adams reinforced that sentiment, assuring reporters that Pulisic will be ready for their crucial upcoming clash against Australia, which could determine the winner of their group.[3]

In Europe, Spain is carefully managing the workload of their dynamic wing duo, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams. Yamal has been dealing with a lingering hamstring issue since April, while Williams is recovering from recent fitness concerns, prompting manager Luis de la Fuente to monitor their minutes ahead of their opener against Cape Verde in Atlanta.[1]

Defensive lines have also been severely impacted by late scratches. England manager Thomas Tuchel was forced to make a late roster adjustment after Newcastle United right-back Tino Livramento suffered a tournament-ending calf tear during training. Tuchel activated FIFA's emergency replacement protocol to call up Chelsea center-back Trevoh Chalobah.[1][6]

Portugal faces a similar defensive hurdle. Manager Roberto Martínez confirmed that Manchester City center-back Rúben Dias will miss their Group K opener against DR Congo due to injury. The absence of their defensive anchor will likely force Tomás Araújo or Renato Veiga into the starting lineup alongside Gonçalo Inácio.[5]

Under FIFA regulations, teams are permitted to replace an injured player up to 24 hours before their first match of the tournament. Once a team kicks off, however, no further roster replacements can be made, meaning any subsequent injuries leave the squad permanently reduced.[7]

This strict deadline meant several nations had to make heartbreaking decisions just days before the tournament began. Germany lost 18-year-old sensation Lennart Karl to a thigh tear in their final training session, replacing him with Assan Ouédraogo, while the Netherlands had to withdraw Jurriën Timber due to a persistent groin issue.[4][8]

As the group stages intensify, the teams that can seamlessly integrate their bench players and manage the physical toll of travel across the United States, Canada, and Mexico will hold a distinct advantage. For now, fans worldwide are watching the training pitches just as closely as the stadiums.[4]