Midfielder Helio Junio of Sao Paulo will replace injured striker Vinicius Junior in the Brazil squad.
Vinicius was injured while playing for Flamengo in the final of the Copa do Brasil against Cuzeiro. FIFA rules stipulate that a team can ask for a replacement if the player named in the original squad is injured.
Vinicius was named in the original squad by the federation but didn’t travel with the team to India. There was speculation that his absence had to do with Flamengo refusing him permission to play the World Cup. However it turned out to be wrong as the player was injured.
The Brazilian Federation had requested FIFA for Vinicius’ replacement and it was granted. Helio Junio flew in to join the team on the eve of Brazil’s match against North Korea.
However, Helio will have to wait to make his debut in the World Cup as Brazilian coach Carlos Amadeu made it clear that he is not going to change the winning combination.