Brazil enters its second worldwide break beneath Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti with a World Cup ticket already secured. However forward of the qualifier in opposition to Chile, followers had been left questioning why star ahead Vinicius Junior was absent from the squad listing.
Presently sitting third within the CONMEBOL standings with 25 factors from 16 matches, La Canarinha has already clinched a spot on the 2026 World Cup alongside Argentina and Ecuador. Within the closing two qualifiers, Brazil hosts Chile on Thursday earlier than touring to Bolivia on Tuesday, with some notable omissions from the roster.
In his case, Vinicius Junior has been excluded from the squad listing by Carlo Ancelotti with a purpose to give relaxation to the Actual Madrid gamers after the FIFA Membership World Cup marketing campaign. This similar politic has been utilized for the instances of Rodrygo, Eder Militao, and Endrick, who’re the opposite gamers from Los Blancos that aren’t a part of the squad on September.
Regardless of his absence this month, Vinicius Jr. stays a cornerstone of Ancelotti’s long-term plans for the Seleção, even when he has but to copy the world-class type he has proven in latest membership seasons. In his place, new names like Chelsea’s Estêvão, Cruzeiro’s Kaio Jorge, and Zenit’s Luiz Henrique will get an opportunity to impress.
Vinicius Junior of Brazil leaves the pitch through the FIFA World Cup 2026 South American Qualifier between Brazil and Paraguay at Neo Quimica Enviornment on June 10, 2025 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
To this point, Vinicius has 41 caps for Brazil, recording seven targets and 6 assists — modest numbers by his requirements. Nonetheless and not using a main trophy with the Seleção, the Actual Madrid star can be keen to vary that narrative when the 2026 World Cup kicks off in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
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Ancelotti places his belief in Kaio Jorge
Whereas Barcelona’s Raphinha is essentially the most established title on Brazil’s September roster for the CONMEBOL WC Qualifiers, one of many largest surprises was the call-up of Cruzeiro striker Kaio Jorge. The 23-year-old is having fun with a breakout 2025 marketing campaign within the Brasileirão, main the league with 15 targets and 5 assists in 21 matches.
Requested about Jorge’s inclusion in his press convention, Ancelotti was clear in his reasoning. “He’s scoring a whole lot of targets, he’s very younger however already has expertise. For what he’s doing proper now, he deserves to be right here,” he mentioned concerning the Cruzeiro striker.
