Brazil made it official, coach Tite today announced the list of 26 players he is counting on for the World Cup in Qatar.There is no need to waste words on how big and important this news is in the most ‘footballing’ country in the world. It is always a question of national interest who will represent Seleção at the World Cup.Since the previous World Cup in Russia, the national team has played 50 games in four and a half years in the new World Cup cycle, and coach Tite called 88 players from 11 different countries. Some of them were just passers-by like Fuzato, Marcinho, Jorge, Samir, Claudinho or Thiago Gallardo. But most players have been constant on Tite’s rosters.However, in addition to so many quality footballers, it was not easy to decide on the final 26, which is why Tite did not want to reveal the wider list of 55 names in order to avoid tensions and polemics in the public. The greatest pressure the selector suffered from the Brazilian public in recent days was because of Flamengo’s players and Dani Alves.Addo names 55 Ghana players for the World CupA large part of the media, fans and some well-known football names put pressure to invite several Flamengo players (Rodinei, Everton, Pedro, Gabigol…) to the national team, who recently won the title of South American champion. Also, a huge number of fans, media, public figures in Brazil are against the invitation to the veteran Dani Alves who does not have a good image there and is quite hated. Roberto Firmino, who many wanted to see out of the national team, also has a bad status in the public eye.Tite eventually made the hard decision and picked his 26 footballers.As expected, the standard goalkeeper trio was called up. Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Danilo, Eder Militao, Alex Sandro were safe in the defense, and Bremer, Telles and Dani Alves were added to them at the end. Of the defenders hoping for a call-up, there was no room for Ibanez (Roma), Verissimo (Benfica), Renan Lodi (Nottingham) and Arsenal’s excellent Gabriel Magalhaes.An expected sigh of relief for NeymarIn the midfield, there was no doubt that the calls would go to Casemiro, Fred, Bruno Guimaraes, Lucas Paqueta and Fabinho. The last card went to Everton Ribeiro, who was one of the key players in Flamengo’s campaign for the Copa Libertadores. Palmeiras’ young star Danilo might have hoped for an invitation, but Tite still opted for proven players.Brazil’s greatest quality is the wingers and second-strikers. Neymar, Vinicius Junior, Antony and Raphinha were considered safe passengers, and Tite still did not leave out Real’s Rodrygo, which was speculated about in Brazil in the previous days. Gabriel Martinelli, who is playing in great form at Arsenal this season, was the last to enter the list. Instead of Bobby Firmino who was dropped out. Flamengo’s Pedro was added among to standard strikers along with Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus.##NAJAVA_MECA_6787383##There was no room for arguably the most popular player in Brazilian football, Flamengo’s Gabriel Barbosa “Gabigol”, who recently led Rubronegri to the Copa Libertadores title. It is perhaps the move that will bring Tite the most criticism in the country if Brazil does not win the World Cup in the end…Of the more famous names that were apparently not even in circulation for Qatar, we should mention Felipe (Atletico), Emerson (Tottenham), Gersson (Marseille), Caio Enrique (Monaco), Mateus Cunha (Atletico), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Joelinton ( Newcastle), Malcom (Zenit), David Neres (Benfica), Vanderson (Monaco), Galen, Pepe and Evanilsson (all Porto), Felipe Anderson (Lazio), Marcao (Sevilla), Luis Enrique (Betis)… Guillermo Arana (Atletico Mineiro), Diego Carlos and Philippe Coutinho (Aston Villa) were not taken into consideration due to injuries.Brazil’s 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. [@UOLEsporte]No Gabriel Magalhães, no Gabigol, no Matheus Cunha, no Roberto Firmino…some big decisions from Tite. pic.twitter.com/f9ysqqUGW9— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) November 7, 2022 Brazil World Cup squad:Goalkeepers: Allison (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City), Weverton (Palmeiras).Defenders: Thiago Silva (Chelsea), Marquinhos (PSG), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Alex Sandro (Juventus), Danilo (Juventus), Alex Telles (Sevilla), Bremer (Juventus), Dani Alves (Pumas)Midfielders: Lucas Paqueta (West Ham), Casemiro (Manchester United), Fred (Manchester United), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Fabinho (Liverpool), Everton Ribeiro (Flamengo).Forwards: Neymar (PSG), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Raphinha (Barcelona), Antony (Manchester United), Richarlison (Tottenham), Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal), Pedro (Flamengo), Gabriel Martinelli ( Arsenal).Next week, the Brazilian national team will gather in Turin, where they will train for five days at the Juventus training center, after which they will travel to Qatar. They will play their first match at the World Cup against Serbia on November 24th.
