Sanchez named for Chile in Cup qualifiers

Aug 17, 2017 - 7:56 PM Chile have included Arsenal striker Alexis Sanchez in their squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Bolivia, coach Juan Antonio Pizzi has announced.

Sanchez has yet to play for his English Premier League club this season after straining an abdominal muscle.

He missed the Community Shield victory over Chelsea in the season curtain-raiser plus the league opener with Leicester City and is expected to be out of Saturday's trip to Stoke City.

Sanchez was one of 19 overseas players named in Pizzi's squad, which will be boosted by home-based players.

Earlier on Thursday, Sanchez was named as one of the 24 players in contention for the Best FIFA Men's Player award along with Chile team mate Arturo Vidal.

Chile host Paraguay on August 31 and face Bolivia in La Paz five days later. They are fourth in the standings for the South American qualifying spots for the 2018 tournament in Russia, one point ahead of Argentina and two clear of Ecuador.

The top four qualify automatically for the finals, while the fifth-placed side go into a play-off with a team from Oceania.

Source: AAP