Brazil swept Haiti aside 3-0 on Friday, eliminating the Caribbean nation from the 2026 World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium. An early brace from Matheus Cunha put the Selecao firmly in control before Vinícius Júnior added a late third to seal the result.
Cunha struck twice in the first half, and Vinícius Júnior completed scoring in the second period, capping a dominant all-round performance. However, Brazil's win was tempered by an injury to a star attacker, who pulled up with an issue in the 40th minute during an otherwise encouraging first-half display. The extent of the setback remains unclear, though coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed afterward that Neymar — who missed both group games due to a right calf injury — will be available for selection against Scotland after training with the team on Monday.
Haiti's defeat makes it the first nation eliminated from the tournament, as they failed to pick up a point in Group C. The result leaves Brazil level at the top of the standings, with Scotland and Algeria still in contention for the knockout rounds.
The Selecao close out group play against Scotland on Wednesday in Miami Gardens, Florida. Neymar is expected to return for that match, having gone through individual training on Saturday, Ancelotti said. Haiti's campaign comes to an end, but the team's supporters — many from the local Haitian diaspora — gathered for community events and watch parties in Philadelphia, turning the match into a celebration of their culture even in defeat.
"I think that the better team won," one fan was quoted as saying, echoing a sentiment of respect amid the disappointment. The crowd at the FIFA Fan Festival on Friday set a record for attendance, reflecting the high level of excitement surrounding this year's World Cup in the host cities.