World Cup qualifiers: Ancelotti excludes Vinicius from Brazil’s squad

Brazilian national team head coach Carlo Ancelotti has decided to exclude Vinicius Junior from the squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia. The matches are scheduled for September 5 and 10, respectively.

Vinicius is already suspended for the Chile match, and Ancelotti wants the Real Madrid winger to rest for the upcoming games. Brazil is currently in third place in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier group, behind Argentina and Ecuador.

Ancelotti's team is looking to secure victories against Chile and Bolivia to improve their chances of qualifying for the World Cup. The decision to leave out Vinicius reflects Ancelotti's strategic approach to managing the squad for these crucial matches.