Brazil trains in heatwave, faces midfield crisis with key players injured

Brazil's national soccer team returned to training in Morristown, New Jersey, on Thursday under a scorching heatwave, with temperatures reaching 36 degrees Celsius (97 Fahrenheit). The team, preparing for their World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match against Norway on Sunday, held a session at Columbia Park. Fifteen minutes of the practice were open to the media, showing the 19 outfield players and three goalkeepers engaging in activation exercises. The heat index during this period climbed to 41 degrees Celsius (106 Fahrenheit). Several key players are sidelined due to injury. Lucas Paquetá is out with a left thigh injury sustained in the previous match against Japan. Raphinha, who has a right thigh injury, is continuing his recovery in the gym but is not expected to be 100% for the Norway game and will likely only be an option in emergencies. Even Rayan, chosen to replace Raphinha in recent games, trained in the gym to manage his physical load but is fit to play. Coach Carlo Ancelotti is facing significant squad challenges. In addition to Paquetá and Raphinha, the team is dealing with long-term injuries to Estêvão, Éder Militão, Rodrygo Goes, and Wesley. Neymar also had a calf injury earlier in the tournament. The absence of Paquetá, a midfielder for Flamengo, forces Ancelotti to reconfigure the team's midfield.

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Rayan, the chosen by the Italian coach to replace Raphinha in the last two games, stayed in the gym to control the physical effort, but is in condition to play.