Brazil recall Kaka for World Cup qualifiers

Rio De Janiero: Former FIFA World Player of the Year Kaka has been recalled to Brazil's squad for their opening 2018 World Cup qualifiers, replacing injured Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho.

The Brazilian football confederation did not specify the nature of Coutinho's injury in an official statement issued late on Sunday, Xinhua reported.

Kaka, 33, had been recalled for Brazil's friendlies against Costa Rica and the US last month but was overlooked in coach Dunga's original squad for the matches against Chile and Venezuela.

Brazil will begin the qualifying campaign against this year's Copa America champions in Santiago on Thursday before a home clash with Venezuela in Fortaleza five days later.

The announcement came a day after Dunga also recalled Barcelona veteran Dani Alves to replace injured Monaco right-back Fabinho.