RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – West Ham midfielder Luca Spaqueta was summoned by Brazilian manager Carlo Ancelotti on Monday in his final two World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia next month.
Paketa has already played five qualifiers in the campaign, but hasn’t played in Brazil since Ancelotti took charge in May. The coach said he wanted to get to know him better.
Last month, Paketa cleaned up the spot correction fees that were brought to him by the English Football Association two years ago. He scored for West Ham after losing 5-1 to Chelsea in the Premier League on Friday.
Brazil has already competed in the 2026 World Cup, with strikers Neymar, Vinicius Jr. and Rodrigo being removed from their latest teams.
Neymar suffered muscle damage from training last Thursday, his Santos Club said.
Ancelotti was asked about Neymar’s absence, having received more Santos playing time in the past two months. “There’s no need to test him,” he said.
Brazil, third in the South American qualifiers, eliminated Chile on September 4th at Malacana in Rio de Janeiro. Five days later, Brazil will be in Bolivia.
___
Brazil:
Goalkeepers: Alysson (Liverpool), Bent (Al Nasr), Hugo Soza (Corinthian)
Defenders: Alexandro (Lille), Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Caio Henrique (Monaco), Vanderson (Monaco), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Fabrio Bruno (Cruzeiro), Gabriel Magalges (Arsenal), Malkinhos (Paris Sendudeimine), Wesley (Roma)
Midfielders: Andrei Santos (Chelsea), Bruno Guimares (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Jorington (Newcastle), Lucas Paketa (West Ham)
Forwards: Estevan (Chelsea), Joan Pedro (Chelsea), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Caio Jorge (Cruzeiro), Luis Henrique (Zenit), Mateus Kunja (Manchester United), Rafina (Barcelona), Richer Rison (Barcelona)
___
AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
