Izuchukwu Okosi
Brazil head coach Tite on Monday November 6 released his final 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar with Liverpool’s Bobby Firmino missing from the party while Arsenal duo of Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli make the cut.
Arsenal defender Gabriel Melgahues was not named to the country’s team despite his promising form with the Gunners.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelFirmino was included in Brazil’s last squad for September’s international friendlies against Ghana and Tunisia but did not feature from the bench and has not played for his county since last year’s Copa America.
Martinelli, who has scored five goals to help Mikel Arteta’s side top the Premier League, is included in Tite’s selection alongside Gabriel Jesus, but fellow Arsenal team-mate Gabriel Magalhaes misses out.
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Manchester United’s Anthony and Tottenham forward Richarlison, who has scored 17 goals from 24 starts for his country, are also named in a squad headed by Neymar.
Brazil are the most successful team in the history of the World Cup and head to Qatar as tournament favourites and FIFA’s top-ranked side.
They did not lose a game in CONMEBOL qualifying but have only progressed beyond the quarter-final stage once since winning Japan 2002.
Tite, who will step down after the tournament, will oversee a Group G opener against Serbia on November 24, before his side face Switzerland on November 28 and Cameroon on December 2.
Teams participating at the tournament have until Thursday (November 10) to submit their final 26-man teams for the tournament in the Gulf.
Teams are however free to go with only 23 players as the three extra places are optional – only considered due to the effects of a long, tiring season and possible coronavirus cases.
There will also be five substitutes at the tournament as FIFA and international football rules body, IFAB have unanimously endorsed five subs at major international competitions.
Brazil’s World Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Ederson, Weverton
Defenders: Danilo, Dani Alves, Alex Sandro, Alex Telles, T Silva, Marquinhos, Eder Militao, Bremer
Midfielders: Casemiro, Fabinho, Bruno Guimaraes, Fred, Paqueta, Everton Ribeiro
Forwards: Neymar, Vinicius Jr, Gabriel Jesus, Antony, Raphinha, Richarlison, Martinelli, Rodrygo, Pedro
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
