Brazil on the mission to qualify for the World Cup .. Doubts about Messi's participation with "Tango"

Brazil, the record holder for the number of world titles (5 times), and who has never missed the World Cup finals, is seeking to reserve the ticket to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, when it hosts Colombia on Thursday in the South American qualifiers.

Even a draw could suffice Brazil in the event of Uruguay's fifth loss at home to Argentina.

Brazil leads with 31 points, 15 points ahead of the fourth-placed, who will also qualify directly for the finals, while the fifth enters the playoffs.

Given the semi-guarantee of qualification, the Brazilian newspapers talked about the coach of the national team, Titi, heading to Doha to follow the matches of the Arab Cup, which begins on November 30, and to get acquainted closely with the stadiums that will host the World Cup matches next year.

Tite admitted that his team is facing two matches of high caliber, saying, "We have two important matches against two high-level teams. A good result against Colombia will be the best preparation for facing Argentina."

Tite surprised everyone by summoning Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho after an absence of more than a year, due to a knee injury that forced him to undergo three surgeries and kept him out of action for about 9 months.

"I feel very proud to defend the colors of my country," Coutinho said.

Brazil largely dominated the qualifiers and won 10 of the 11 matches played so far, compared to a goalless draw with Colombia last month.

And returns to the ranks of Colombia, Al Rayyan playmaker James Rodriguez, on the other hand, "Los Cafeteros" will miss the injured striker Radamel Falcao, who will be out of action for about a month.

Colombia, which tied in the last three matches, is in the midst of a three-way competition to snatch one of the direct qualifying cards, as it occupies fourth place with 16 points, ahead of Uruguay on goal difference and one point behind Ecuador, third.

Doubts about Messi's participation

The second Argentina (25 points) can snatch the qualification ticket when they face Uruguay in Montevideo, but other results must also favor them.

There is doubt about the participation of the Tango national team star Lionel Messi, who missed the last two matches of his French team, Paris Saint-Germain, both locally and continentally, due to a knee injury.

The match is considered revenge for Uruguay, which fell against Argentina 0-3 in the last round, and its task will not be easy, especially in the absence of the injured Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani, while the responsibility for scoring goals will be on the shoulders of Atletico Madrid striker Luis Soares.

Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde will also be absent from Uruguay.

Follow our latest local and sports news and the latest political and economic developments via Google news