Neymar's Impact on Brazil's World Cup Campaign

Neymar hasn’t kicked a ball at this World Cup yet, but in Brazil’s camp he is already changing the temperature.

Left out of the matchday squads for the 1-1 draw with Morocco and the 3-0 win over Haiti, the No. 10 has been limited to training-ground cameos. Even so, his return to the grass has sharpened focus and lifted shoulders as Brazil chase top spot in Group C and a smoother path into the knockout rounds.

Lucas Paqueta, fronting the media on Sunday, didn’t bother hiding what Neymar’s presence does to this group.

“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 told reporters. “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.”

If he is passed fit to face Scotland at Miami Stadium, it would be his first competitive appearance for Brazil since 2023. That possibility alone hums in the background of every training session. The staff tread carefully; the squad can’t help but dream.

Raphinha blow tempers the mood

The optimism around Neymar is offset by a costly absence on the opposite flank. Barcelona winger Raphinha is out with a hamstring injury, a setback that strips some of the snap from Brazil’s attacking play and leaves a question mark hanging over the rest of his tournament.

The former Leeds United standout had become a key reference point in the Selecao’s wide rotations. Now he watches from the sidelines, his availability for the latter stages still unknown.

“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,” said Paqueta, speaking as much like a teammate as a playmaker. “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.”

The message is clear: no one is writing Raphinha out of this World Cup. But Brazil must plan for Scotland without him.

Respect for Scotland, no room for comfort

Brazil sit top of Group C on four points, level with Morocco but ahead on goal difference. It looks comfortable on paper. It isn’t.

Victory over Scotland is the only way to guarantee they stay in control, especially with Morocco facing already eliminated Haiti in the other fixture. Any slip in Miami could open the door for a late twist in a group that has already felt tighter than many expected.

Paqueta, now back in Brazil with Flamengo after his spell at West Ham, dismissed any hint that the five-time champions can stroll into this one.

“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.”

Scotland, chasing a first-ever appearance in the knockout stages, will not come to admire the yellow shirts. A positive result against Brazil likely sends Steve Clarke’s side through. That alone guarantees an edge to the night in Miami.

Fine-tuning before the real tests

Brazil’s campaign has flickered rather than roared so far. A laboured draw with Morocco, a more assertive win over Haiti, moments of fluidity stitched between patches of inconsistency. The table flatters them slightly; the performances say there is still work to do.

That is where Neymar’s shadow looms largest. His touch, his gravity, his ability to bend a game to his rhythm – all of it could be decisive as the tournament tightens. But Brazil cannot afford to wait for him. The structure must hold, the pressing must bite, the combinations must flow, with or without their talisman.

Scotland will test that resolve. They will test Brazil’s patience, too.

By the time the final whistle blows in Miami, the picture in Group C will be clear. What remains to be seen is whether Brazil emerge simply as qualifiers, or as a team finally starting to look like contenders again.