On February 28, 2025, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) unveiled the preliminary list of 52 players selected for the upcoming World Cup 2026 qualifiers, stirring excitement among fans. Notably, the announcement marks the return of superstar Neymar Jr. to the national team after enduring significant setbacks due to injury.
Head coach Dorival Júnior prepared this extensive squad as Brazil gears up to face off against Colombia on March 20, 2025, at the Estádio Mané Garrincha, Brasília, and later, Argentina on March 25, 2025, in Buenos Aires. Both matches are part of the qualification series leading to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Neymar, who has not donned the Brazilian jersey since October 2023 following a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament during a match against Uruguay, has shown promising signs of recovery. The star forward has regained competitive fitness, accumulating significant playing time with his current club, Santos. "Having Neymar back is the boost we need as we aim to improve our position," commented CBF officials, underlining the player’s importance to the team.
The preliminary squad is diversified, featuring players predominantly from local Brazilian clubs. Among them, six players are from Flamengo, including Danilo, Alex Sandro, Bruno Henrique, Léo Ortiz, and Gerson, highlighting the club's dominance within the squad. Santos FC also made its mark by having three players featured, including the aforementioned Neymar and Oscar, who returns to the national fold.
The anticipation surrounding Neymar’s return is palpable. His absence had left fans and analysts speculating on the team's prospects for the World Cup qualifiers. According to reports from O Globo, he needed to demonstrate his fitness levels post-injury, and he has successfully recorded over 432 minutes of gameplay since his comeback. "Neymar's flair and creativity are integral to our gameplay; the resurgence is certainly exciting for the Brazilian football community," noted sports analysts.
Brazil’s current standing is not ideal, residing fifth on the South American qualification table with just 18 points. This makes upcoming matches against Colombia and Argentina not only important for standings but also for bolstering team morale and gaining momentum. Argentina leads the qualifiers with 25 points, emphasizing the competitive nature of the qualifier.
For the upcoming announcement, Dorival Júnior emphasized the importance of rigorous assessments when selecting the final 23 players. "We have traveled extensively across Europe and Brazil to scout potential candidates and assess their readiness," he stated, reinforcing the CBF’s commitment to fielding the strongest team possible.
The preliminary squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool, ENG), Bento (Al-Nassr, SAU), Ederson (Manchester City, ENG), Hugo Souza (Corinthians), Lucas Perri (Lyon, FRA), Weverton (Palmeiras).
Defenders: Alexsandro (Lille, FRA), Beraldo (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA), Danilo (Flamengo), Fabrício Bruno (Cruzeiro), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal, ENG), Léo Ortiz (Flamengo), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA), Murillo (Nottingham Forest, ENG).
Full-backs: Dodô (Fiorentina, ITA), Abner (Lyon, FRA), Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Alex Telles (Botafogo), Douglas Santos (Zenit, RUS), Guilherme Arana (Atlético-MG), Vanderson (Monaco, FRA), Wesley (Flamengo).
Midfielders: Alisson (São Paulo), André (Wolverhampton, ENG), Andreas Pereira (Fulham, ENG), Andrey Santos (Strasbourg, FRA), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle, ENG), Éderson (Atalanta, ITA), Gerson (Flamengo), João Gomes (Wolverhampton, ENG), Joelinton (Newcastle, ENG), Lucas Moura (São Paulo), Lucas Paquetá (West Ham, ENG), Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton, ENG), Neymar Jr. (Santos), Oscar (São Paulo).
Forwards: Antony (Real Betis, ESP), Bruno Henrique (Flamengo), Endrick (Real Madrid, ESP), Estevão (Palmeiras), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal, ENG), Galeno (Al-Ahli, SAU), Igor Jesus (Botafogo), Igor Paixão (Feyenoord, HOL), João Pedro (Brighton, ENG), Luiz Henrique (Zenit, RUS), Raphinha (Barcelona, ESP), Rodrygo (Real Madrid, ESP), Samuel Lino (Atlético de Madrid, ESP), Savinho (Manchester City, ENG), Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid, ESP), Yuri Alberto (Corinthians).
The anticipation for the final squad announcement is scheduled for March 7, 2025, when Júnior will reveal who will travel to the competitive fixtures. Fans are hopeful for strong performances against Colombia and Argentina to regain Brazilian dominance in the sport.