World Cup 2022: Brazil squad with Neymar and Alves, without Firmino in Qatar

The national coach of the Brazilian national team, nothingannounced the 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup, seven days ahead of the final deadline given by FIFA to the tournament’s 32 nations.

The squad includes almost all of the Seleção’s big names, such as Neymar and Anthony, but one of the season’s most in-form forwards, Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino, is absent.

Also surprising is the summary of Dani Alves, who at 39 is not doing well in the Mexican league with the Pumas, but the Brazilian selector chose him for dressing room reasons. In fact, he became the oldest footballer to be called up to the national team for the World Cup, tying the record from… his predecessor as the country’s first legendary right-back, Jalma Santos, who at the age of 37 had been called up for the 1966 tournament Had Alves not been invited, Brazil captain Thiago Silva, who is 38, would have broken the record.

From the Brazilian league there are only three options, third place Everton (Palmeiras), the midfielder of the South American champions Flamengo, Everton Ribeiro, and the top scorer of the Copa Libertadores, Pedro. However, his attacking partner Gabriel Barbosa was absent.

Aside from Everton, the rest of the midfielders in the squad play in the Premier League with Casemiro’s name standing out.

Brazil are in Group 7 of the Qatar tournament along with Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon.

The Brazilian Mission

GOALKEEPER

• Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City), Weverton (Palmeiras)

DEFENDER

• Danilo (Juventus), Dani Alves (Pumas), Thiago Silva (Chelsea), Marquinhos (Paris), Ender Militao (Real), Bremer (Juventus), Alex Sandro (Juventus), Alex Telles (Seville)

AVERAGE

• Casemiro (Manchester United), Fabinho (Liverpool), Fred (Manchester United), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Lucas Paqueta (West Ham), Everton Ribeiro (Flamengo)

AGGRESSIVE

• Neymar (Paris), Vinicius (Real), Rafinha (Barcelona), Anthony (Manchester United), Rodrigo (Real), Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal), Risarlizon (Tottenham), Pedro (Flamengo), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)