Neymar took another careful stride ⁠out of Brazil’s medical room and back towards the World Cup spotlight on Wednesday, ‌joining his teammates on the practice field for the first ‌time since the five-times champions arrived in ‌New Jersey.

The 34-year-old forward, recovering from a right ‌calf injury, was seen doing drills with the ‌squad after warming up separately in boots and with the ball, offering Brazilian supporters a glimpse of ‌progress before Friday’s Group C match ⁠against Haiti in ‌Philadelphia.

It was another step in a gradual return for ​Brazil’s number 10, who had on Tuesday, in a session closed to the media, ​stepped onto the pitch for the first time since the squad arrived, with the Brazilian ⁠FA saying he ​did physical work and had some contact with the ball.

Whether that turns into full training, or even a place on the bench against Haiti, ‌remains uncertain as media had access only for the first 15 minutes of Wednesday’s session.

Neymar had been limited to indoor work at the team’s training centre with physiotherapists and fitness coaches.

Sources close to the national team said the coaching staff were being cautious and had no intention of accelerating his recovery.

The calf problem was ‌sustained during Santos’ 3-0 defeat by Coritiba last ​month and is the latest in a ‌long run of injuries and physical setbacks for Neymar, who has not played for Brazil in almost three years.

Brazil’s campaign began awkwardly with a 1-1 draw against Morocco as ⁠they bid for ⁠a long-awaited record-extending sixth ‌World Cup title.

Ivory Coast forward Elye Wahi had reportedly ben arrested for alleged fixing offences on the eve of the 2026 World Cup.

Wahi, 23, who made his World Cup debut in the Ivory Coast’s 1-0 win over Ecuador on Sunday (June 14), was arrested on suspicion of fixing offences less than two weeks before the tournament.

Per The Athletic, the forward is under an active investigation, which is seeking to determine whether he deliberately earned a yellow card while playing for his club, Nice, against Metz on May 17.

He was arrested by French police on May 29, immediately after scoring a brace in Nice’s 4-1 relegation play-off win over Saint- Etienne.

A spokesperson for the Marseille public prosecutor’s office told The Athletic: “We can confirm that a 23-year-old football player, competing in France’s Ligue 1, was arrested on May 29 as part of an investigation opened by the Marseille public prosecutor’s office into allegations of organized fraud, organized sports corruption, handling of proceeds of crime and money laundering.

“He was released after he was interviewed in police custody. The investigations remain ongoing. The football player is not a member of the French selection taking part in the World Cup.”

Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly has maintained the Lions of Teranga will have nothing to be ashamed of despite their humiliating 3-1 defeat against France in their 2026 FIFA World Cup opener at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday.

The Lions of Teranga, who were seeking to beat France for the second time in the group stage campaign of the global showpiece, produced a performance full of courage, quality and ambition, but were ultimately punished in the second half.

Senegal looked every bit the equal of the 2022 World Cup finalists and at times appeared the more dangerous side, but the game was decided through the brilliance of Kylian Mbappe.

Mbappe scored twice and Bradley Barcola added another after Senegal had competed strongly throughout the opening hour but were not able to find the back of the net.

Ibrahim Mbaye had threatened a comeback for Senegal after he scored to make it 2-1, but it was not enough to sustain pressure on France, who went ahead to carry the day.

‘The score is a bit heavy’
“I think we have nothing to be ashamed of in the first half. We played a very good half; we put them under pressure. In the second half, they came back with a bit more pressure and put us under pressure when we lost possession,” said Koulibaly after the pulsating Group I game.

“The score is a bit heavy, I think it’s undeserved, but that’s part of football. These are the details. Today, we faltered in a few situations.”

Koulibaly added: “A defeat right from the start is a shame. We know very well that Senegal likes to start competitions strong. It’s a pity we didn’t.

It was a very difficult match against a team that has reached two finals in the last two editions, so they are one of the best teams in the world.”