World Cup Qualifiers

Why is Arturo Vidal not playing for Chile in 2022 World Cup Qualifiers?

The resumption of the South AmericanWorld Cup Qualifiers means a huge challenge for Chile, whose Qatar 2022 chances could be on the line. The outlook isn't encouraging for La Roja, who will miss Arturo Vidal in these fixtures.

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Updated on
February 01, 2022 05:33PM EDT

**© Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images**Arturo Vidal in action for Inter Milan.

We’ve already entered the year of the long-awaited World Cup but many berths have yet to be claimed. The South American Qualifiers get into the final stretch of the road and Chile don’t want to miss out on a ticket to Qatar 2022.

La Roja got off to a weak start to the tournament under Reinaldo Rueda but Martin Lasarte has slowly begun to get them back in contention. However, their last defeat has put them in a tough spot again.

That’s why they arrive at this international window desperate to get results against Argentina and Bolivia. But Chile will have to deal with a huge absence as Arturo Vidal is not in their roster. Here, find out why.

The reason why Arturo Vidal is not playing for Chile vs. Argentina and Bolivia

Arturo Vidal is unavailable for Chile’s games against Argentina and Bolivia because he has to serve a two-match ban. The Inter Milan midfielder saw the red card in La Roja’s defeat to Ecuador in November for an ugly challenge on Felix Torres early in the first half.

Vidal was initially handed a three-game suspension but it was reduced by one match following an appeal from the ANFP (the Chilean FA),enabling Vidal to be back in action in March when Chile take on Brazil.

The upcoming matches, however, are crucial for La Roja’s World Cup aspirations, so he’ll probably regret that action. WillChile get the results they need to continue alive in the battle for a Qatar 2022 berth?

Martín O’donnell

Martin O'Donnell is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, currently serving as the Editor of Bolavip. He began his journey with the website in February 2021, making a name for himself through comprehensive coverage of soccer, NFL, and NBA, with a specialty in real-time reporting of major events such as the World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals, and the Super Bowl. In June 2024, Martin took on the role of Subeditor, where he excelled in overseeing the publication of stories, assisting staff writers, and ensuring content quality. His prior experience includes managing social media for CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana in English and Spanish, as well as reporting on Brazilian football for Sambafoot. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to capture breaking news, Martin has consistently been a valuable asset to the Bolavip team, especially during crucial sports seasons involving trades, playoffs, and finals. Now, as the Editor, Martin brings his extensive experience and keen editorial sense to lead Bolavip’s team, driving the website's growth and ensuring it remains a top source for sports news and analysis.