Neymar's Impact on Brazil's World Cup Journey

Neymar hasn’t played a minute at this World Cup, but he’s still at the centre of everything.

Two games in – a laboured 1-1 draw with Morocco and a far more convincing 3-0 win over Haiti – and Brazil’s No. 10 has only been seen in a bib, not a shirt. Yet every time he steps onto the training pitch, the mood in the camp lifts. You can feel it in the way teammates talk about him. You can see it in the way the cameras follow him.

For a squad chasing top spot in Group C, his mere presence has become a storyline of its own.

Neymar’s shadow over Group C

Lucas Paqueta, sent out to face the media on Sunday, didn’t bother hiding how much Neymar still dominates the dressing room.

“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 said, underlining what everyone already knows. “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.”

For now, the contribution is emotional rather than tactical. Neymar has watched from the sidelines as Brazil stuttered, then steadied. Four points from six is acceptable for a team still working through early-tournament nerves, but it has not silenced doubts about their rhythm or ruthlessness.

If he is passed fit, the next step is clear: this week in Miami could bring his first competitive appearance for Brazil since 2023. That prospect alone is enough to change the temperature around the squad.

Raphinha’s absence bites

While one star edges closer to a return, another remains stuck in the treatment room.

Raphinha’s hamstring injury has stripped Brazil of one of their key wide threats. The Barcelona winger, who arrived at the tournament off the back of strong seasons and steady growth with the national team, has been ruled out of the opening fixtures and his status for the rest of the World Cup is still uncertain.

His absence has been felt in Brazil’s attacking patterns. The Selecao have lacked some of the natural width and direct running that Raphinha brings, the kind of movement that stretches defences and creates lanes for the playmakers inside.

Paqueta made a point of putting the focus on support rather than frustration.

“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.”

Brazil know they may have to navigate the business end of the tournament without him. That reality sharpens the need for Neymar’s return, but it also increases the responsibility on the rest of the attacking unit to find solutions now.

No room for arrogance against Scotland

Next up is Scotland at the Miami Stadium, and the stakes are clear. Brazil sit on four points, level with Morocco at the top of Group C, and cannot afford a slip. A win keeps them in control. Anything less opens the door.

Morocco, also on four points, face already eliminated Haiti in the other game. On paper, it’s a kind fixture for the North Africans, which only adds to the pressure on Brazil to take care of their own business.

Scotland arrive with history in their sights. They have never reached the knockout stages of a World Cup. A positive result against the five-time champions could finally break that barrier.

Paqueta was in no mood to entertain talk of mismatches or easy nights.

“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.”

It was a reminder that Brazil, for all their pedigree, are still a team searching for their best version at this tournament. The badge guarantees nothing. Not here, not now.

Fine-tuning before the knockouts

Two games have exposed both sides of this Brazil: flashes of fluidity, spells of control, but also periods of inconsistency that better teams will punish later on.

The group finale offers a chance to sharpen the edges. To turn possession into pressure, and pressure into something more ruthless. To show that the 3-0 against Haiti was a platform, not an exception.

And hanging over it all is that familiar figure in yellow, back on the grass, waiting.

If Neymar does step onto the pitch in Miami, it will not just mark his return to competitive action for Brazil after more than a year. It will signal the moment this World Cup campaign either truly ignites – or leaves the Selecao asking how many more chances their golden generation will get.