Lucas Paqueta’s fitness for the rest of the World Cup is in serious doubt.
Brazil midfielder Paqueta sustained a hamstring injury during the Selecao’s 2-1 win over Japan on Monday.
The former West Ham playmaker was subbed off at half-time, with Endrick coming on in his place.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team won late on thanks to Gabriel Martinelli’s strike, and they will face Norway in the last 16.
However, Paqueta will not play in that game on Sunday, and he is facing a race against time to be fit for the rest of the tournament, should Brazil progress.
Brazil 2-1 Japan
How to measure a heartbreaker: Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time goal (95:00) is the latest winner in normal time of the World Cup knockout stages on record (since 1966). pic.twitter.com/5jJcHGtZyr
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) June 29, 2026
“Paqueta underwent an imaging exam that confirmed a muscle injury in the back of his left thigh,” Brazil’s Football Confederation (CBF) said in a statement.
“The player will follow an intensive treatment protocol, under the supervision of the Brazilian national team’s medical staff, with the goal of recovering and returning to action as soon as possible.”
Brazil are already without star winger Raphinha, who also sustained a hamstring injury earlier in the tournament, while Neymar has only had a brief cameo from the bench.
Ancelotti’s team take on Norway at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday.
Brazil have progressed from nine of their last 10 matches in the last 16 round of the World Cup, only failing to do so in 1990 (1-0 defeat to Argentina).
However, since beating Germany in the 2002 final, Brazil have been eliminated from/lost each of their six World Cup knockout ties against European opponents.
This will mark the fifth meeting between Brazil and Norway in all competitions, and the second at the World Cup, after a 2-1 Norway win in 1998. In fact, the Vikings are unbeaten in all four previous games between the sides (W2 D2).
