Chronicle Editor
RIO DE JANEIRO – Brazil have announced their squad for next month’s 2022 World Cup football qualifiers, but there a few surprise omissions from head coach Tite.
Selecao take on Colombia and Argentina in back-to-back games next month as they look to edge closer to securing a spot at the World Cup in Qatar. However, there was no place in the squad for Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior who has registered nine goals and five assists in 14 appearances across all competitions this season.
Instead, there was a surprise call-up for Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho who has only netted just one goal in eight games this campaign.
Tite’s men currently sit top of the South America World Cup qualifying table and are one of two teams with unbeaten record in the qualifiers.
Brazil squad
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City), Gabriel Chapeco (Gremio)
Defenders: Danilo (Juventus), Emerson Royal (Tottenham Hotspur), Alex Sandro (Juventus), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Lucas Verissimo (Benfica), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Thiago Silva (Chelsea)
Midfielders: Casemiro (Real Madrid), Fabinho (Liverpool), Fred (Manchester United), Gerson (Marseille), Lucas Paqueta (Lyon), Philippe Coutinho (Barcelona)
Forwards: Antony (Ajax), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City), Matheus Cunha (Atletico Madrid), Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain), Raphinha (Leeds United). — AFP
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