Chile's Núñez Pulls Out of World Cup Qualifiers Due to Norwich Concerns
Chilean forward, Benjamin Núñez, has made the tough decision to withdraw from the upcoming World Cup qualifiers due to concerns about his fitness at Norwich City.
Núñez, who joined the Canaries from Chilean club Universidad Católica in January, has been struggling to break into the starting lineup at Carrow Road. He has made only a handful of appearances for the English Championship side, often coming on as a substitute.
The 21-year-old forward's limited playing time at Norwich has sparked worries about his form and match sharpness ahead of the crucial World Cup qualifiers. With Chile battling for a place in the 2026 World Cup, Núñez felt it was important to focus on regaining his fitness and confidence at club level.
"It's a difficult decision, but I need to be playing regularly to be at my best," Núñez said in a statement. "I want to be available for Chile when I am truly ready, and that means focusing on my situation at Norwich for now."
Núñez's withdrawal is a blow to Chile, who are already without several key players. However, the team's head coach, Eduardo Berizzo, has expressed understanding for the young forward's decision, emphasizing the importance of Núñez's long-term development.
"We respect Benjamin's choice and we fully support his decision," said Berizzo. "It's important that he gets the playing time he needs at Norwich to reach his full potential."
Núñez's withdrawal from the World Cup qualifiers highlights the difficult balance between club and international football. While players want to represent their country, they also need to prioritize their club careers to maintain peak performance.
Chile will now have to adapt their strategy without Núñez, hoping other players can step up and fill the void. It remains to be seen how his absence will impact their chances in the upcoming qualifiers.
With Núñez focusing on his club career, it remains to be seen how his withdrawal will affect his chances of making Chile's final World Cup squad.
