FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 08: Neymar #10 of Brazil looks on before an international friendly against the United States at Gillette Stadium on September 8, 2015 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)Billie Weiss/Getty Images

Neymar Ruled out of 2 Brazil World Cup Qualifiers After Ban Appeal Rejected

Rory Marsden

Oct 2, 2015

Neymar has been ruled out of Brazil's upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Chile after an appeal to reduce his four-match ban was rejected.

The Barcelona star was handed the lengthy suspension by CONMEBOL after he was sent off in Brazil's Copa America group match against Colombia in June, per Liam Prenderville in the Mirror.

The Brazilian Football Federation appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport—on the grounds that the ban should stand only in Copa America matches—but it was rejected, per AP (via USA Today).

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Dunga's Brazil start their qualifying campaign for World Cup 2018 against Copa champions Chile on October 8, with the Venezuela clash following on October 13.

The loss of Neymar is a huge blow as he is the Selecao's most effective goalscorer and a talisman for the side.

The likes of Chelsea duo Willian and Oscar, Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho and Zenit Saint Petersburg's Hulk will have to step up in the 23-year-old's absence.