Vinicius out of Brazil’s World Cup qualifying matches, Raphinha in

FC Barcelona forward Raphinha (pictured) will replace Real Madrid's injured Vinicius Junior in Brazil's squad for the start of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced on Tuesday. (AFP)

• Raphinha was drafted into the Brazil squad for games against Bolivia on Sept. 8 and Peru four days later
• The matches will be Fernando Diniz’s first as head coach of Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO: Vinicius Junior will miss Brazil’s first two World Cup qualifying matches next month because of a right hamstring injury.

Brazil’s soccer federation confirmed the absence Tuesday after media reported that Real Madrid had estimated that the 23-year-old Vinicius, injured in the team’s 1-0 victory at Celta Vigo in the Spanish league, could be sidelined for about a month.

FC Barcelona forward Raphinha was drafted into the Brazil squad for games against Bolivia on Sept. 8 and Peru four days later.

He last played for Brazil’s national team during the World Cup in Qatar. The 26-year-old winger has five goals in 16 appearances for the national team.

The matches will be Fernando Diniz’s first as head coach of Brazil.