| Online Desk : Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has opted not to recall star forward Neymar and has chosen to rest Vinicius Junior for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia next month.
Instead, midfielder Lucas Paqueta returns to the national team after being cleared of betting-related charges.
Neymar, 33, who returned to Santos earlier this year, has not featured for Brazil in nearly two years due to persistent injury problems. Ancelotti said the forward recently suffered a "small problem," reportedly thigh discomfort during training, but downplayed the decision not to include him.
“With Neymar, there’s no need for testing—everyone knows his ability,” said Ancelotti. “What matters is that he arrives in top physical condition for the World Cup.”
Brazil has already secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Vinicius, who scored in Brazil’s 1-0 win over Paraguay in June to confirm their World Cup berth, will sit out the upcoming qualifiers. Suspended for the September 5 match against Chile at the Maracana, he will also miss the trip to Bolivia, where Brazil will play at high altitude on September 9.
Lucas Paqueta rejoins the squad after missing nearly a year of international duty. The West Ham midfielder had been sidelined from the national team since November 2024 while under investigation, but he was recently cleared by the Premier League`s independent commission.
Chelsea forward Joao Pedro has also earned a recall following his standout performance in the Club World Cup in July, where he scored three goals—including two against Fluminense and one in the final against Paris Saint-Germain.
Brazil squad for September World Cup qualifiers:
Goalkeepers:
Alisson (Liverpool/ENG)
Bento (Al-Nassr/KSA)
Hugo Souza (Corinthians)
Defenders:
Alexsandro (Lille/FRA)
Alex Sandro (Flamengo)
Caio Henrique (Monaco/FRA)
Douglas Santos (Zenith St Petersburg/RUS)
Fabricio Bruno (Cruzeiro)
Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal/ENG)
Marquinhos (PSG/FRA)
Vanderson (Monaco/FRA)
Wesley (Roma/ITA)
Midfielders:
Andrey Santos (Chelsea/ENG)
Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle/ENG)
Casemiro (Manchester United/ENG)
Joelinton (Newcastle/ENG)
Lucas Paqueta (West Ham/ENG)
Forwards:
Estevao (Chelsea/ENG)
Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal/ENG)
Joao Pedro (Chelsea/ENG)
Kaio Jorge (Cruzeiro)
Luis Henrique (Zenith St Petersburg/RUS)
Matheus Cunha (Manchester United/ENG)
Raphinha (Barcelona/ESP)
Richarlison (Tottenham/ENG)
Brazil will host Chile at the Maracana on September 5 before traveling to Bolivia for their final qualifier on September 9.
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