No Neymar For Brazil But Paqueta Returns

Brazil will play their final two World Cup qualifiers without the injured Neymar but with West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta.

On Monday, Carlo Ancelotti, the first foreign manager of the five-time world champions, called up Paqueta for the September qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia. It’s the first time that the West Ham player, who was cleared last month of spot-fixing charges brought against him by the English Football Association, has featured in Ancelotti’s squad. He last played for Brazil in November 2024.

Ancelotti said: “Paquetá is in the squad. I want to get to know him. He has technical qualities… he’s a very important midfielder who can play in different positions on the field. I want to take advantage of this time to get to know him better.”

The Italian, however, will have to do without Neymar, who has suffered a muscle injury according to his club Santos. Real Madrid stars Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo were both left out while Cruzeiro forward Kaio Jorge was included for the first time.

Ancelotti explained: “This second call-up includes nine new players. Neymar isn’t there; he had a minor problem last week. But Neymar, we don’t need to test him; everyone knows Neymar—the backroom staff, the national team and Brazilian fans all know Neymar. Like everyone else, Neymar needs to be in good physical condition to help the national team perform well at the World Cup.”

On September 4, Brazil will face Chile at the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro and, five days later, they wrap up their qualification campaign away to Bolivia.

Last June, Brazil qualified for the 2026 World Cup, the first global finals in a 48-team format. The South Americans are the only country to have participated in every single World Cup. They last won the tournament in 2002 when they defeated Germany 2-0 in the final in Yokohama, Japan.

Brazil squad 

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al-Nassr), Hugo Souza (Corinthians)

Defenders: Alexsandro (Lille), Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Caio Henrique (Monaco), Vanderson (Monaco), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Fabricio Bruno (Cruzeiro), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Marquinhos (Paris Saint Germain), Wesley (Roma)

Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Chelsea), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Joelinton (Newcastle), Lucas Paquetá (West Ham)

Forwards: Estêvão (Chelsea), João Pedro (Chelsea), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Kaio Jorge (Cruzeiro), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Richarlison (Tottenham)

Insideworldfootball.com