Overview
- Raphinha was confirmed unavailable for Brazil’s match against Japan on Monday after scans showed a right‑thigh/hamstring muscle injury.
- He did not travel with the squad to Houston and is remaining at Brazil’s New Jersey training base to follow an intensive rehabilitation routine.
- Reports say the recovery work includes multiple daily treatment sessions, though that schedule and the exact timeline come from club and media sources rather than an official medical clearance.
- Bournemouth winger Rayan is the likely starter on the right flank for the Japan game while fit-again Neymar remains an option off the bench.
- An optimistic but unconfirmed earliest return would be the Round of 16 on July 5 if Brazil progress, with the final decision to depend on medical checks and the team’s results.