Brazil has been forced to make a late change to its World Cup squad after right back Wesley was ruled out with a thigh injury less than a week before the team's opening match against Morocco.
The Brazilian Football Confederation said on Sunday that Wesley suffered a muscle injury in his left thigh during Brazil’s friendly against Egypt in Cleveland on Saturday. Medical scans later confirmed the injury was serious enough to end his World Cup campaign.
"Wesley is a player who is highly valued by the squad and will always remain part of this team striving to win a sixth world title," the confederation said in a statement.
Midfielder Éderson, 26, has been called up as Wesley’s replacement and is expected to join the 26-man squad in the United States. Brazil will begin its World Cup group-stage campaign on Saturday at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Meanwhile, concerns remain over the fitness of veteran forward Neymar. The 34-year-old did not travel with the team to Cleveland and is currently sidelined with a calf injury.