Brazil summons a new striker to replace Vinicius in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers

The Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) has confirmed that Real Madrid striker Vinicius Junior has to withdraw from the team to attend the first two matches in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in South America. To replace him, coach Fernando Diniz called Barcelona's Raphinha.

According to CBF's statement, doctor Rodrigo Lasmar contacted Real Madrid's medical department and they sent Vini Jr.'s most recent medical test results. As a result, this striker suffered a muscle injury in the back of his right thigh and the recovery time was 6 weeks.

The injury caused Vinicius to miss the matches against Bolivia on September 9 in Belem and Peru on September 13 in Lima. The players were summoned to appear in Pará on Monday evening (local time).

For his part, Raphinha returned to the national team after playing under coach Tite at the 2022 World Cup. Having played 16 matches and scored 5 goals for the Selecao, he was absent from the previous two call-ups of interim coach Ramon. Menezes.

At the World Cup in Qatar, Raphinha was on the field in all five matches, including four starts and came on as a substitute in the loss to Cameroon when Tite chose the reserve team. In the match eliminated by Croatia in the quarterfinals, this player was replaced by Antony at the beginning of the second half.

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Athletico), Ederson (Manchester City);

Fullbacks: Danilo (Juventus), Vanderson (Monaco), Caio Henrique (Monaco), Renan Lodi (Marseille).

Central defenders: Ibanez (Al Ahli), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Marquinhos (PSG), Nino (Fluminense);

Midfielders: Andre (Fluminense), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Joelinton (Newcastle), Raphael Veiga (Palmeiras);

Forwards: Antony (Manchester United), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton), Neymar (Al Hilal), Richarlison (Tottenham), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Raphinha (Barcelona).