Brazil winger Raphinha is the latest star to be hit with an injury concern at the 2026 World Cup, with the 29-year-old forced off in the first half of his side’s game against Haiti.
Brazil had made a quick start in Philadelphia and Raphinha was at the heart of things, with a goal chalked off for offside and another effort trickling narrowly wide of the far post.
Matheus Cunha opened the scoring with a fortunate deflection and the Manchester United winger added another with a superb finish in the 36th minute, though as the first half drew to a close, Raphinha went to ground before being taken off, and was replaced by Bournemouth winger Rayan.
The extent of the injury is not yet known, and while the winger was able to walk off the pitch, he could face a similar lay-off to that experienced by Barcelona teammate Lamine Yamal, who sat out the last month of the season after picking up a hamstring injury against Celta Vigo.
Speaking on ITV’s coverage of the match, USWNT head coach Emma Hayes said that being without Raphinha “is a significant loss”.
Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti previously called the winger one of the five best players in the world ahead of the World Cup, and while the Selecao have a raft of attacking talent at their disposal, the loss of one of their star men presents another challenge at an uncertain time.
Ancelotti’s side are already waiting on the return of Neymar, who has been fighting to return from a leg injury in time for what could be his last World Cup.
Brazil’s final game of the group stage comes against Scotland on Wednesday, 24 June in Miami, with the Selecao likely needing a win to secure top spot in Group A as Morocco take on Haiti.
