Brazil World Cup 2022 squad and preview
Brazil’s squad for the 2022 World Cup has been announced – and the big news is that Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino will not make the squad.
Brazil has not played a European opposition since the friendly against the Czech Republic in March 2019. The last time they went that long without meeting a rival from Europe was for the 1954 World Cup.
The anomaly has sparked questions at nearly every press conference and, for a while, served to downplay the team’s record-breaking qualifying form. The Seleção won 14 of their 17 games (the game against Argentina that was abandoned due to COVID-19 secrets was eventually cancelled), scoring 40 goals and only conceding five goals.
But the excitement around Brazil is now so great, the mood has changed dramatically. Essentially, the peculiarity of the match list is Europe’s loss. They have no idea what awaits them.
For most of the way to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Brazil looked like a pragmatic team that lacked their traditional flair and charisma and relied too much on Neymar’s eight-goal virtuosity. That changed around mid-2021 with the emergence of players that manager Tite refers to as “fast rapids” (quick legs). Raphinha, Antony, Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo and Gabriel Martinelli have brought a slick new dynamic to the Seleção, making it a team whose fans – perhaps for the first time since 2006 – truly believe they can win the World Cup.
Add to that a rear guard consisting of Alisson (with Ederson a luxury reserve), Thiago Silva and Marquinhos who have been almost impregnable for the past four years, and suddenly the hype seems more than justified.
Brazil is much better prepared this year. In June 2016, Tite took charge of a team that almost didn’t make it to Russia 2018 midway through qualifying, then struggled after injuries to Neymar, Dani Alves and Renato Augusto. Things are different now. With more tactical options, the five-time world champions even resembled Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, with the full-backs moving into central midfield when they have possession.
To win a World Cup for the first time since 2002, Brazil hopes to benefit from the familiarity offered by a good dose of team members practicing their trade together in the Premier League. Otherwise, they will match their longest drought ever (1970 to 1994) by going at least 24 years between trophies – and you shouldn’t be thinking about that.
Squad Brazil 2022 World Cup
Squad Brazil World Cup 2022: The last team with 26 players
- GB: Alisson Becker (Liverpool)
- GB: Ederson (Manchester City)
- GK: Weaverton (Palmeiras)
- DF: Dani Alves (UNAM)
- DF: Thiago Silva (Chelsea)
- DF: Marquinhos (PSG)
- DF: Danilo (Juventus)
- DF: Alex Telles (Seville)
- DF: Alex Sandro (Juventus)
- DF: Eder Militao (Real Madrid)
- DF: Bremer (Juventus)
- MF: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle)
- MF: Casemiro (Manchester United)
- MF: Lucas Paqueta (Lyon)
- MF: Fabinho (Liverpool)
- MF: Fred (Manchester United)
- MF: Everton Ribeiro (Flamengo)
- FW: Neymar (PSG)
- FW: Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)
- FW: Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
- FW: Antony (Manchester United)
- FW: Richarlison (Tottenham Hotspur)
- FW: Raphinha (Barcelona)
- FW: Rodrygo (Real Madrid)
- FW: Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)
- FW: Pedro (Flamengo)
Brazil World Cup top scorers
These are Brazil’s World Cup top scorers so far:
3 goals – Richarlison
1 goal – Casemiro, Neymar, Lucas Paqueta, Vinicius Junior
Brazil yellow cards and suspensions
Here are the yellow cards and suspensions from the World Cup in Brazil:
1 yellow card – Fred, Eder Militao
Brazil manager
Who is Brazil’s coach for the 2022 World Cup?
A charismatic figure who sometimes comes across as a priest due to the way he dresses and speaks, Tite has already announced that he will be leaving his post after the World Cup. He transformed the team after the 7-1 Gotterdammerung in 2014 and their Copa America group stage exit two years later. He will be a difficult man to replace.
Brazil’s star player
Who is Brazil’s best player?
Neymar is just two goals away from equaling Pelé’s record as Brazil’s all-time top goalscorer. As if that wasn’t motivation enough, the PSG superstar has already hinted that this could be his last World Cup. Now 30 years old, more mature and with a talented supporting cast, the number 10 must lead his team and leave the comedy theaters behind.
How many players will Brazil take to the 2022 World Cup?
National managers were allowed to bring 26 players to last summer’s European Championship in a major tournament for the first time, as a special measure due to the COVID-19 pandemic – while last year’s Copa America allowed teams of 28 players.
Now it has been announced that teams of 26 players will return for the World Cup in Qatar, an expansion of the usual 23-man squads.
#Brazil #World #Cup #squad #preview
