Brazil have attacking depth, but Neymar remains their most distinctive connector between midfield and the front line.
That is why even a possible absence against Morocco feels bigger than one team-sheet decision. Brazil can replace pace and direct running. Replacing his ability to dictate the tone of a game is harder. The wider concern is not only one match, but whether he can build uninterrupted minutes before the tournament intensifies.
This squad is not as dependent on Neymar as earlier Brazil sides appeared to be. That is the encouraging part. The attack has more variety now, and Brazil have players who can threaten from wide areas and in transition without everything flowing through one star.
Still, tournament football usually turns on moments rather than volume. In those moments, Brazil have often looked to Neymar for the final pass, the foul won under pressure, or the flash of improvisation that breaks a low block. If his fitness remains uncertain, the challenge for Brazil is tactical as much as medical: they need a version of the side that can win big matches without waiting for him to rescue them.
The emotional layer is obvious too. The report says Neymar responded to a social media post with “The last dance”, a message widely read as a hint that 2026 could be his final World Cup. If that proves to be the case, Brazil are entering a tournament cycle shaped by both urgency and transition.
The next clue will come on 13 June against Morocco. Whether Neymar plays or not, Brazil’s biggest storyline may already be set: one last run, and one last test of how far their No. 10 can carry them.