After a hiatus of almost three years, marked by several serious injuries, Neymar is back in the Brazilian squad for the World Cup. Coach Carlo Ancelotti assured the striker’s presence on the squad list for the crucial game against Scotland, which will take place this Wednesday, the 24th, at 7pm (Brasília time), at the Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami.
Having been left out of the first match of the World Cup against Morocco and also the subsequent match against Haiti, Neymar is now ready to make his debut in the 2026 edition. The forecast indicates that the player, one of the biggest highlights of national football, will start the match on the bench, with the intention of being introduced during the match to regain his playing rhythm. There is a possibility that he will play for a few minutes in the second half, especially if the score is advantageous for Brazil.
Young Rayan is Raphinha’s likely replacement in Brazil’s attack
Given the confirmed absence of Raphinha, who is injured, the main question for the starting lineup is who will take his place. During a press conference, coach Ancelotti suggested that the promising Rayan is the most considered for the position on the right wing, highlighting both his potential and his positive performance in the previous game against Haiti. Luiz Henrique also appears as an alternative for the same area. Neymar, in turn, can be used in the offensive sector during the second half of the match.
The probable initial formation of the Brazilian team should include: Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães and Douglas Santos; Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães and Lucas Paquetá; Rayan (with Luiz Henrique as an option), Vini Jr and Matheus Cunha.
Scenarios for Brazil in the World Cup knockout stages
Currently leading Group C with four points, Brazil ensures its qualification for the round of 16 with just a draw. However, achieving victory is essential to guarantee first place in the group and, thus, prevent tiring trips within the United States during the next phases. In a situation of Brazilian defeat and Morocco’s victory over Haiti, the Seleção could fall back to second or even third place, depending on the goal difference.
Which teams can Brazil face in the next phase
- By advancing as group leader, they will face the second placed team in Group F (Netherlands, Japan or Sweden) on June 29th.
- If they qualify in second place, they will face the first team in Group F (with the Netherlands or Japan as likely opponents), also on the 29th.
- If they qualify in third place, they could have clashes with teams such as Mexico, Germany or France.
Brazilian strategy to overcome Scotland’s defense
To achieve victory over Scotland, the Brazilian team can exploit flaws in the opposing defensive organization, which often demonstrates deficiencies in individual marking. Striker Matheus Cunha appears as an important player as he acts as a “false 9”, with the ability to attract defenders and thus open corridors for attacks on the sides of the field, especially with Vini Jr.’s speed.
Broadcast details: where to follow Brazil and Scotland
- Time:7pm (Brasília time)
- Location:Hard Rock Stadium, Miami (United States)
- Transmission:TV Globo and SBT (open channels); SporTV and N Sports (closed channels); CazéTV and GETV (streaming services).
- Arbitration:Cesar Ramos (Mexico)