Brazilian forward Raphinha is a doubt for the upcoming World Cup after suffering a thigh injury during training, according to team officials. The 29-year-old Barcelona winger underwent medical scans on June 20, 2026, which revealed a muscle tear in his left thigh.
Brazil's team doctor, Rodrigo Lasmar, stated that Raphinha will be sidelined for at least three weeks, putting his participation in the tournament opener on July 1, 2026, at risk. 'We are monitoring his recovery closely, but the timeline is tight,' Lasmar said in a press conference.
The injury occurred during a routine training session in Rio de Janeiro. Raphinha, who has scored 12 goals in 35 appearances for Brazil, was expected to be a key player in the squad. Coach Tite has not yet named a replacement, but sources suggest that Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli is a potential candidate.
Brazil's first match is against Cameroon in Group G. The team has a history of World Cup success, having won the tournament five times, most recently in 2002.
