Brazil started the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in uncertain form, which led to a series of coaching changes before Carlo Ancelotti took the helm. Despite the turmoil, the team rallied to secure its spot in the tournament. In a bold move, it opted to bench several of its traditional stars, creating opportunities for emerging talents. Regardless, it still fields a formidable starting eleven, positioning itself as favorites in today’s match.

In stark contrast, Chile have faced a string of setbacks over nearly three years in the World Cup Qualifiers, culminating in their official elimination from the tournament contention a couple of months ago. A succession of head coaches, including Eduardo Berizzo, Nicolas Cordova, and Ricardo Gareca, failed to reverse their fortunes. Currently, Nicolas is again tasked with leading a substantial team overhaul, aiming to build a stronger squad for the future.

Why is Alexis Sanchez not playing for Chile vs Brazil in 2026 World Cup Qualifiers today?

Alexis Sanchez continues to be a renowned figure in world soccer. Despite this, the veteran player participated in only 14 games in the 2024-25 season with Udinese, without scoring a goal or an assist. In addition, he was absent from several games due to physical problems. With this in mind, head coach Nicolas Cordova decided to leave him out of the 28-man roster for the double-header against Brazil and Uruguay.

The Asociación Nacional de Futbol Profesional (ANFP), in collaboration with head coach Cordova, is executing a clear strategy to rejuvenate the team by integrating players poised to lead in the future. During this transition, Ben Brereton Diaz, Lucas Assadi, and Lucas Cepeda are expected to make a significant impact on the offensive side.

Why is Arturo Vidal not playing for Chile vs Brazil in 2026 World Cup Qualifiers today?

In contrast to Alexis, Arturo Vidal still showcases remarkable consistency in recent games. During the current season, the veteran midfielder has been a pivotal figure for Colo-Colo, securing a spot as a regular starter and amassing 21 appearances thus far. Despite his performances, head coach Cordova did not include him in the 28-man roster for the crucial double-header against Brazil and Uruguay.

Vidal, still performing at a high level, finds himself excluded as the national team undergoes a significant roster overhaul. At 38, his long-term viability for the squad is in question, paving the way for younger talents, like Felipe Loyola, to assume more prominent roles within the team.

The all-time leading scorer for La Roja will miss this crucial showdown, the Chilean Football Federation (ANFP) confirmed on Wednesday. “Sánchez will not travel but remains in camp. He is staying behind to recover from muscle fatigue,” the federation told AFP. The 36-year-old forward, currently playing for Udinese, has struggled with recurring injuries this season, limiting his playing time in Italy.

Sánchez has not played for Chile since June 2024, when La Roja was eliminated in the Copa América group stage following a draw against Canada. They finished group stage only with 2 points.

Chile head coach Ricardo Gareca had hoped to have the veteran forward available, stating earlier that he looked “in good shape and eager to play.” Despite his absence, there is optimism that Sánchez could return for Chile’s next qualifier against Ecuador on Tuesday in Santiago.

Chile’s likely attack without Sánchez

With Sánchez unavailable, Gareca has tested a new attacking trio in training. He has lined up Alexander Aravena, Eduardo Vargas, and Lucas Cepeda as the team’s offensive unit. It remains to be seen whether he will stick with this setup or make adjustments ahead of kickoff.

Chile’s standings and qualification outlook

La Roja currently sits in ninth place—second to last in the table—with just nine points after 12 matches in the 18-game qualifying campaign. Paraguay, sitting in sixth place with 17 points, holds the final automatic qualification spot, making this match a must-win for Chile.

Meanwhile, the playoff position is currently occupied by Bolivia, who sits in seventh place with 13 points—four ahead of Chile. With no Soccer World Cup appearance since Brazil 2014, La Roja is under immense pressure to secure a victory against Gustavo Alfaro’s Paraguay and keep its qualification hopes alive.

The former FC Barcelona forward, captain, and key figure of the Chilean national team, is not playing in tonight’s World Cup Qualifiers game due to a myofascial injury in the medial calf of his left leg.

The physical issue occurred during a training session, days before making his new debut with Udinese. Following confirmation of the injury, the Italian club decided not to include Sánchez in the roster of eligible players for Serie A and estimates he will recover by the end of October.

The absence of the former Arsenal player adds to the absences of veterans Gary Medel, Claudio Bravo, and Arturo Vidal. This is the first time in 19 years that the Chilean national team will be without all four of them in the roster for a World Cup qualifying match.

Sánchez’s last game with Chile was a 0-0 draw against Canada on June 29, during the third group stage match of the 2024 Copa America. Ricardo Gareca’s team exited the tournament without scoring any goals, so the absence of the 35-year-old forward has a direct impact on the offensive phase.

Alexis Sánchez’s struggles with the Chilean national team

Alexis Sánchez’s last goal with the Chilean national team, to date, was on March 27, 2023, one year and four months ago. On that occasion, the Udinese forward scored the second goal in Chile’s 3-2 victory over Paraguay in an international friendly.

In World Cup qualifiers, Sánchez’s dry spell is even longer. The most recent time he found the net was on February 1, 2022, when Chile defeated Bolivia 3-2 in La Paz. The forward scored twice in that match.

In an interview with TUDN, the former Barcelona winger told fellow countryman and La Roja legend Ivan Zamorano he would like to spend his sunset years in Mexico or the United States.

“I would like to play in Mexico,” Sanchez said. “The other day I was talking to a friend, I don’t know, it catches my attention, because there are teams there that are passionate, they focus on their club and all those things, I would like to, but I don’t know when. There are several clubs that I know, Pachuca, America. I like America, for the fans, for how they are, for the capital and for what Diego Valdés also told me.”

The Tocopilla-born player has been in the Old Continent since 2008, when he left Argentine giants River Plate for Italian side Udinese. Though he went on to play for five years in England, Sanchez said he would like to improve his English. The USA could be a good place for that, with Miami as one of his preferred landing spots.

“I would also like to try another culture, another language. I would like to perfect my English, I would like to live in Los Angeles, Miami. I don’t know, I don’t have nothing concrete at the moment: I’m focused on the Champions League with Inter and I’m giving my all.”

Inter Miami may have room for Alexis, but it could take time

Messi’s presence has been a game-changer for the Herons, who have benefited from the Argentine star’s arrival by landing former Barcelona stars Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. Now, another world-class player could be on his way to South Florida.

With the club opting out of Josef Martinez’s contract for the 2024 season, Inter Miami are reportedly working to sign Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez. But would this affect Alexis’ hopes of joining the team?

On the one hand, the team may be thrilled to make yet another stellar signing to set up a star-studded team. On the other hand, if Suarez occupies a designated player slot, Alexis may have to adjust his salary demands to the club’s budget.

Either way, the Chilean international is under contract with Inter Milan until the end of the season. Therefore, they would have to wait until July 2024 to sign him as a free agent.

Inter Miami with big plans for 2024

2024 will be Messi’s first full season at Inter Miami, which is why the club is heading into next year with high expectations. Leo helped them win the 2023 Leagues Cup, but didn’t have enough time to turn things around in the MLS season.

Now, the goal is to have a better campaign in the domestic league, aiming to challenge for the MLS Cup. But thanks to their Leagues Cup victory, the Herons will also compete in the Concacaf Champions Cup and in the Copa Interamericana, which involves the Libertadores, Sudamericana, and Concachampions winners.

Transfer activity at Camp Nou is expected to increase as a result of the availability of finances. Xavi Hernandez‘s sideare really preparing to ratchet up their efforts in the transfer market and clinch several key deals in the next two weeks, according to Spanish newspaperSport.

Aside from acquiring Lewandowski, Barcelona arealso hoping to close agreements on the transfers of Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen. whosecontracts expire on June 30. However, the signings have yet to be finalized owing to a shortage of space on the salary bill, although that is now expected to be remedied.

Alexis Sanchezoffers himself to Barcelona

Also on their list of priority targets is another player who Barcelona hopes to complete in the next two weeks.The Chilean outletLa Tercera has revealed that Alexis Sanchez is highly interested in returning to his former club, Barcelona, which he departed in 2014.

The report addsthat if the 33-year-old forward is willing to accept a wage reduction in order to returnto Cataloniafrom Inter this summer. It has been hispreferred choice for the previous eight months, but the side hasn’t been able to sign him because of their financial inability.

A drop in his current €7 million-a-year salary would be acceptable if it meant returning to the squadand city he has many friends and a vacation home in when the opportunity arises. Meanwhile, Barca seem to be patient for his contract to run out,before making a deal that would require to paycompensation to Inter.

Without an agreement with another club that is willing and capable of paying and providing him with competitive opportunities, the Serie A runners-up will likely pay him severance for the purpose of ending his deal.

La Roja arrived at this game aiming to end a two-game losing streak after being beaten by Ecuador and Argentina, respectively, with their World Cup aspirations hanging by a thread.

However, the former Barcelona star put the team on his back when they needed him the most. Here, take a look at the video of Alexis’ free-kick goal that opened Chile’slead in La Paz.

Watch: Alexis Sanchez’s free-kick goal forChile vs. Bolivia

Chile stepped into the field looking for the opening goal that gave them the lead. It didn’t take long for them to find it, as Alexis Sanchez found the back of the net with a powerful free-kick that Carlos Lampe couldn’t save.

With Lionel Messi gone since August, Barca’s squad suffered a huge downgrade that was translated into poor results this season, not only at the international stage but also in La Liga, where they’re closer to relegation spots than to leaders Real Madrid.

However, the club lacks the money to afford big-time signings that could improve this roster overnight. That’s why free agency has become such an attractive market for Los Cules, who may consider the return of a familiar face who could signfor nothing in January.

Report: Former Barcelona player could return to Camp Nou for free in winter

The Blaugranas’ financial struggles have been known for a long time this year, forcing the club to target out-of-contract players last summer. That’s how they landed Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia,Sergio ‘Kun’ Aguero, among others, before Dani Alves also made a shocking return as a free agent.

Barca need to be back inthe transfer market again in January but they’ll have to identify the cheapestoptions to materialize any deal. That’s why they’d consider bringing back Alexis Sanchez.

According to Corriere della Sera, Inter Milan could rescind his contract in winter, leaving the doors open for his return to Camp Nou in a free. Since Antonio Conte left the club, Alexis has been craving for playing time at the Serie A giants.

The Chilean superstar, therefore, could part ways with the Italians in January – way earlier than his original contract expiration date in 2023, and he’s been linked with Barcelona.Sanchez, 32, has played for the Catalans between 2011 and 2014 before he made a stellar move to Arsenal.

His career may have gone downhill since he joined Manchester United in 2018, but Alexis’ talent is undeniable and he still has a lot left in his tank to play in Europe for a few more seasons. Given the club’s financial woes, Alexis could be an interesting, low-cost alternative for Los Cules. Besides, he already knows what donning the Blaugrana is like.

With the Inter Milan forward out, La Roja coach Martin Lasarte has considered other options for the attack, sending an invitation to Inter Miami forward Robbie Robinson. Chile haven’t begun their road to the World Cup on the right foot and need to find consistency.

But the outlook isn’t encouraging for this triple-fixture. Not only they’ll face three mighty rivals such as Brazil, Ecuador, and Colombia, but they also have to overcome Alexis’ absence.

Why is Alexis Sanchez not in the Chile squad for the September fixture?

Alexis Sanchez has suffered continuoussetbacks in his recovery from a muscle injury suffered in June, which ruled him out of the 2021 Copa Americagroup stage.Inter expected to have him back for the 2021-2022 Serie A opening fixture, but he didn’t make it.

Now, he is still struggling to be back on the field and looks forward to returning to the national team for the October triple-fixture. According to Chilean newspaper La Tercera, Alexis has even traveled toBarcelona to work on his recovery.

The winger aims to be back as soon as possible, and hopefully on time for the next international break. Next month, Chile will host Peru before facingParaguayand Venezuela on the road.

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Just a few days before their debut against Argentina, the two-time Copa America champions suffered a huge blow with the Inter Milan forward being suddenly ruled out indefinitely. Even though they overcame his absence so far, Lasarte’s boys will probably need him back as soon as possible.

Chile shouldn’t have a problem in progressing to the next round, with four out of five securing a place in the quarterfinals. However, they know that to pursue a deep run in the tournament, they’ll need to have a key player such as Alexis on board.

Why is Alexis Sánchez missing the Copa America 2021?

Prior to their Copa America 2021 debut, Chile announced some heartbreaking news for their fans. Alexis Sánchez suffered a muscle injury on training that ruled him out for the clash with Argentina.

Even though they didn’t confirm how long he would be sidelined, La Roja knewfor sure Alexis wouldn’t be eligible for the group stage affairs. Therefore, he stayed in Chilewith the national team’s medical staff to advance in his recovery.

Despite there’s nodate of return confirmed yet, Alexis could be back for the quarterfinals, should Chile advance. It’s not the way anyonewould have liked to begin Copa America 2021, yet there’s still a lot to be played and Alexis could return in a crucialmoment.

The talented forward born in Tocopilla has had an immediate impact in his first seniorcaps and went on to become a world-renowned superstar. Alexis has featured for the likes of Barcelona, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Inter Milan. But he can be proud of having performed at his best for his country as well.

Chile have hadremarkable growth over the past two decades since Marcelo Bielsa changed the team’s fortunes.His successors followed the same path and La Roja went on to win their first Copa America titles in history. Alexis Sánchez played a pivotal role in those achievements that will live long in the memory of Chile.

Alexis Sánchez’s Copa America highlights and goals

Alexis took part in his first Copa America in Argentina 2011 at 22 years of age. By then, he still was aUdinese player but not for long, as Barcelona would acquire him a few weeks after the tournament’s ending. Therefore, La Roja already had in him a great first-team player.

The best was yet to come, though. Alexis was part of Chile’s golden years in which they won two straight Copa America titles, the first ones in the team’s history. Moreover, hesealed La Roja’s first trophy ever with the last penalty shot against Argentina at home. He netted it in style, with a panenka shot, in front of a packed Estadio Nacional in Santiago as the Chilean fans went wild. One year later, he was celebrating another success in the Copa America Centenario final played in New Jersey. Check out his best moments in Copa America.

Alexis Sánchez has left his mark not only on Chile’s history but also onCopa America. He has seven goals and six assists in 22 appearances in this tournament so far. But most importantly, Alexis scored a crucial goal to secure La Roja’s first title in history, and the following year he was awarded the Copa America Centenario Golden Ball for being named the best player of the tournament.