Sepulveda, Assadi named in Chile squad for World Cup qualifiers

SANTIAGO, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Universidad de Chile pair Matias Sepulveda and Lucas Assadi have been drafted into Chile's squad for World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Bolivia, the Chilean football federation said on Monday.

They replace River Plate defender Paulo Diaz and Independiente midfielder Luciano Cabral, who were cut from the squad due to unspecified injuries.

"The players have musculoskeletal conditions that require a recovery that extends beyond the current FIFA international window," the federation said in a statement.

It marks the first international call-up for 26 year-old Sepulveda, who has impressed in central midfield for Universidad this season. Forward Assadi earned the most recent of his two Chile caps in a 3-0 friendly win over Cuba in June 2023.

Chile will play Argentina in Santiago on June 5 and Bolivia in El Alto five days later.

The Roja is currently last in the 10-team South American group and must win both matches to revive its hopes of securing a berth at next year's World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Enditem