Neymar out injured: how many World Cup 2022 games will he miss?

Neymar out injured: how many World Cup 2022 games will he miss? Neymar out injured: how many World Cup 2022 games will he miss? Neymar of Brazil lies on the ground after injury during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group G match between Brazil and Serbia at Lusail Stadium in Lusail City, Qatar on November 24, 2022.
(Image credit: Fareed Kotb/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

With Neymar out injured, Brazil are missing their talisman heading into the next round of World Cup 2022.

The Selecao are already, though. A 2-0 win in the first fixture courtesy of two Richarlison goals – one simple enough, one simply stunning – followed by a comprehensive 1-0 victory over Switzerland gives them six points.

Of course, they're missing a talismanic forward and one of the best attackers in the world – they're going to be worse without him in the squad, if only slightly. So when's he back?

How many World Cup 2022 games is Neymar out injured?

Neymar of Brazil leaves the pitch after injury during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group G match between Brazil and Serbia at Lusail Stadium in Lusail City, Qatar on November 24, 2022.

Neymar of Brazil leaves the pitch after injury during the World Cup 2022 match between Brazil and Serbia at Lusail Stadium (Image credit: Fareed Kotb/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

No one is quite sure how much more of the tournament the Brazil No.10 will play a part of. 

The Mirror are reporting that Neymar may have sustained ligament damage which would all effectively rule him out of the rest of the World Cup. Other reports have suggested that the Brazilian medical staff are still assessing him, with Brazil assistant coach Cleber Xavier confirming injured players Neymar, Danilo and Alex Sandro will have to prove their fitness ahead of the knockout fixtures, suggesting that there is a chance that they could be involved for the quarter-finals.

"They are progressing," Xavier said of the casualties (via the Express). "We are focused on the game against Cameroon, and then we will start the decision-making process about these players. We already have a plan prepared for their return."

With Brazil set to play their last-16 tie on Monday against South Korea – should they win the final match against Cameroon – it seems unlikely that Neymar will be risked.

Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.