RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Flamengo defender Leo Ortiz and Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli have been drafted into Brazil's squad for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Uruguay, the Brazilian Football Confederation said on Saturday.
The pair replace Real Madrid's Eder Militao and Rodrygo, who suffered knee and thigh injuries, respectively, in the Spanish club's 4-0 home victory over Osasuna earlier in the day.
Brazil will meet Venezuela in Maturin on Thursday and Uruguay in Salvador five days later.
The five-time world champion is currently fourth in the South American qualifying group with 16 points from 10 games, six points behind leader Argentina.
The top six teams will earn an automatic berth in the 2026 World Cup, to be played in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The seventh-ranked side will advance to an intercontinental playoff. ■
