Brazil names squad without Neymar for World Cup qualfiers

Rio de Janeiro: Brazilian coach Dunga announced his 23-strong squad for the first two 2018 World Cup qualifiers Thursday, leaving out Kaka and also without the suspended Barcelona star Neymar.

Midfielder Kaka of Orlando City did not make the cut despite having been called up for Brazil`s September friendlies. Also left out in the cold was PSG`s defender Thiago Silva.

Dunga`s main missing element for the qualifiers against Chile and Venezuela is striker Neymar, who is still serving out a four-match ban for being red carded during this year`s Copa America.

In-form attacker Hulk, who scored in both the friendlies, makes the squad.
Squad:

Goalkeepers: Jefferson (Botafogo), Marcelo Grohe (Gremio), Alisson (Internacional)

Defenders: David Luiz (Paris SG/FRA), Miranda (Inter Milan/ITA), Marquinhos (Paris SG/FRA), Gil (Corinthians), Fabinho (Monaco/FRA), Rafinha (Bayern Munich/GER), Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Marcelo (Real Madrid/ESP)

Midfielders: Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg/GER), Fernandinho (Manchester City/ENG), Elias (Corinthians), Renato Augusto (Corinthians), Lucas Lima (Santos), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool/ENG), Oscar (Chelsea/ENG), Willian (Chelsea/ENG), Douglas Costa (Bayern Munich/GER)

Forwards: Hulk (Zenit Saint-Petersburg/RUS), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool/ENG), Lucas (Paris SG/FRA)