--- title: "Neymar out again: Lula jokes Brazil striker is doing 'remote work' for World Cup" description: "Brazil's top scorer remains sidelined with injury ahead of a must-win warm-up against Haiti, forcing Tite's side to regroup without their talisman." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/coupe-du-monde-2026-encore-bless-neymar-fait-du-t-l-tra-83ee5323 published: 2026-07-01T16:21:41.331+00:00 updated: 2026-07-01T16:21:41.331+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["motorsport"] --- # Neymar out again: Lula jokes Brazil striker is doing 'remote work' for World Cup > Brazil's top scorer remains sidelined with injury ahead of a must-win warm-up against Haiti, forcing Tite's side to regroup without their talisman. Brazil’s World Cup 2026 preparations took another hit as Neymar remains sidelined with injury, forcing the Seleção to face Haiti in a must-win warm-up without their talisman. Neymar, Brazil’s all-time top scorer, has been ruled out of the upcoming friendly against Haiti due to a recurring injury, leaving Tite’s side to regroup without their most creative attacker. The match, scheduled for Tuesday in São Paulo, serves as a critical final test before the tournament, but the absence of the PSG forward shifts the team’s tactical approach. With Neymar still recovering, Brazil must rely on alternatives like Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, and Gabriel Jesus to fill the void in attack. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva added fuel to the fire by mocking Neymar’s absence during a public event. 'He’s doing remote work for the 2026 World Cup squad,' Lula quipped, a jab that underscored the growing frustration over the striker’s continued unavailability. The comment, while lighthearted, highlighted the high stakes of Brazil’s warm-up campaign without their star player. Neymar’s injury history has plagued his preparation for the tournament, raising concerns about his fitness ahead of Brazil’s opener. The Seleção, heavy favorites for the title, cannot afford to enter the World Cup with doubts over their leading scorer’s form. Tite, Brazil’s head coach, faces a delicate balancing act: fielding a competitive lineup while managing the risk of further injuries to key players. What’s next: Brazil’s coaching staff will use the Haiti match to evaluate squad depth and test tactical solutions without Neymar. The focus will be on building rhythm and confidence, but the clock is ticking toward the tournament. Neymar’s return timeline remains unclear, leaving Brazil to prepare for a World Cup without their most reliable source of goals and creativity. ## Why this matters Neymar’s continued absence due to injury deals a severe blow to Brazil’s World Cup 2026 preparations. The Seleção must navigate a critical warm-up without their all-time top scorer, raising questions about their attacking depth and tactical flexibility ahead of the tournament. ## Frequently asked ### Why is Neymar missing Brazil's warm-up match against Haiti? Neymar is sidelined due to a recurring injury, which has kept him out of recent training sessions and matches. His absence forces Brazil to field a lineup without their talisman and all-time top scorer. ### What did Brazilian President Lula say about Neymar's absence? Lula mocked Neymar’s injury absence by joking that the striker is doing 'remote work' for the 2026 World Cup squad, highlighting the frustration over his continued unavailability. ### How significant is Neymar's injury to Brazil's World Cup hopes? Neymar’s absence is critical. As Brazil’s all-time top scorer, his creativity, leadership, and goal threat are irreplaceable. His injury forces the team to rely on less experienced options in attack. ### Who will replace Neymar in Brazil's lineup against Haiti? Without Neymar, Brazil’s attacking options include Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, and Gabriel Jesus. The coaching staff must decide on a tactical setup that maximizes their strengths while compensating for his absence. ### What are Brazil's next steps following the Haiti warm-up? Brazil will use the Haiti match to test tactical adjustments and evaluate squad depth. The focus will be on building rhythm and confidence before the World Cup, though Neymar’s return timeline remains uncertain. ## Sources & Citations - [Coupe du monde 2026 : encore blessé, Neymar "fait du télétravail", lance le président Lula](https://www.lefigaro.fr/sports/football/coupe-du-monde/coupe-du-monde-2026-encore-blesse-neymar-fait-du-teletravail-lance-le-president-lula-20260619) — GNews.io (2026-06-19) --- Cite: Neymar out again: Lula jokes Brazil striker is doing 'remote work' for World Cup. Sportopod, 2026-07-01. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/coupe-du-monde-2026-encore-bless-neymar-fait-du-t-l-tra-83ee5323