Brazil announce squad for upcoming FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers; Vinicius Jr included, Raphinha misses out

Teenager Estevao Willian was also named in the squad for the upcoming matches.

Coach Dorival Junior has given 17-year-old attacker Estevao Willian his first call-up to Brazil’s national team for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers. Estevao is all set to move to Chelsea from Palmeiras next year.

While Neymar, the seasoned forward, continues his rehab from his ACL injury from last season, Estevao is currently believed by some to be Brazil’s next major star. On September 6, he might make his debut for the national team against Ecuador. Four days later, Brazil will travel to Paraguay.

After six games, Brazil are only in sixth place in the South American qualification tournament. Estevao showed off some impressive dribbling abilities this season, recording five goals and five assists in 19 Brazilian league games.

Eight players who were in Brazil’s team for this summer’s Copa America competition were not included in the lineup under Dorival Junior, the new coach of Brazil, who took over at the beginning of the year. Uruguay eliminated his squad in the quarterfinals.

The Seleção will be looking to turn things around in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers when they play Ecuador and Paraguay during the next international break, following a poor performance in the Copa America this summer. Additionally, manager Dorival Junior has named as many as four Real Madrid players in the team.

Brazil squad for upcoming FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al-Nassr), Ederson (Manchester City).

Defenders: Danilo (Juventus), Yan Couto (Borussia Dortmund), Guilherme Arana (Atletico Mineiro), Wendell (Porto), Beraldo, Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Éder Militão (Real Madrid), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal).

Midfielders: André (Fluminense), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Gerson (Flamengo), João Gomes (Wolverhampton), Lucas Paquetá (West Ham).

Forwards: Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Endrick (Real Madrid), Vinicius Júnior (Real Madrid), Estêvão (Palmeiras), Luiz Henrique (Botafogo), Pedro (Flamengo), Savinho (Manchester City).

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