Brazil has been thwarted for more than two decades in its attempt to lift the FIFA World Cup trophy. The country lifted its last world cup title in 2002 and has been eyeing to do so once again ever since. While still the tournament’s most successful team with 5 cups, the South American’s itch to extend that number has been in the attempt for a long time; Canarinho’s hopes have been cut short by several other teams over the last four world cups.
Nonetheless each year, their squad magnitude has only grown stronger and although the likes of Ronaldinho, Ronaldo (the R9), Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos, Cafu, and others are no longer in the picture, the Brazil squad is still heading into Qatar being the top-ranked team in the Fifa list. With the talents of Neymar, Alison, Militao, Richarlison, Vinicius, Rodrygo, and Antony, among others not to mention.
Let’s look at who else they have in their star-studded squad as they go for their sixth world champion title.
Brazil Squad Qatar World Cup 2022
Player | Position | Club | Age | Caps |
Alisson | Goalkeeper (GK) | Liverpool (ENG) | 30 | 57 |
Ederson | Goalkeeper (GK) | Manchester City (ENG) | 29 | 18 |
Weverton | Goalkeeper (GK) | Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras (BRA) | 34 | 11 |
Marquinhos | Defender (DF) | Paris Saint Germain (FRA) | 28 | 71 |
Eder Militao | Defender (DF) | Real Madrid (ESP) | 24 | 23 |
Bremer | Defender (DF) | Juventus (ITA) | 25 | 1 |
Thiago Silva | Defender (DF) | Chelsea (ENG) | 38 | 109 |
Alex Telles | Defender (DF) | Sevilla (Spain) | 29 | 8 |
Danilo | Defender (DF) | Juventus (ITA) | 31 | 46 |
Bruno Guimaraes | Midfielder (MF) | Newcastle (ENG) | 24 | 8 |
Casemiro | Midfielder (MF) | Manchester United (ENG) | 30 | 65 |
Fred | Midfielder (MF) | Manchester United (ENG) | 29 | 28 |
Everton Ribeiro | Midfielder (MF) | Club de Regatas do Flamengo (BRA) | 33 | 22 |
Lucas Paqueta | Midfielder (MF) | West Ham United (ENG) | 25 | 35 |
Vinicius Jr | Forward (FW) | Real Madrid (Spain) | 22 | 16 |
Neymar | Forward (FW) | Paris Saint Germain (FRA) | 30 | 121 |
Antony | Forward (FW) | Manchester United (ENG) | 22 | 11 |
Rodrygo | Forward (FW) | Real Madrid (Spain) | 21 | 7 |
Raphinha | Forward (FW) | Barcelona (Spain) | 25 | 11 |
Richarlison | Forward (FW) | Tottenham Hotspur (ENG) | 38 | 164 |
Gabriel Jesus | Forward (FW) | Arsenal (ENG) | 25 | 56 |
Pedro | Forward (FW) | Club de Regatas do Flamengo (BRA) | 25 | 21 |
Key Players Who Are Missing
Roberto Firmino (Liverpool)
Gabriel (Arsenal)
Gabriel Barbosa (Flamengo)
Renan Lodi (Nottingham Forest)
Matheus Cunha (Atletico Madrid)
Philippe Coutinho (Aston Villa)
Emerson Royal (Tottenham Hotspur)
Gerson (Marseille)
Luiz Henrique (Real Betis)
Rodinei (Flamengo)
Brazil Goalkeepers
Perhaps no other tournament’s teams have tough competition among their own goalkeepers than Brazil’s Alisson and Ederson. The two have been battling for their nation’s no 1 shot-stopper position for quite some years though the head coach, Tite’s preference has always been Liverpool’s wall, Alisson for most of the games.
Besides the two, the South American team also has the option of Weverton from Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras (BRA).
Brazil Defenders
While some of the backlines of Brazil are definitely aging, like Thiago and Dani Alves they are still by no means easy to penetrate. The side-backs are nonetheless younger with the likes of Alex Telles, and Danilo who all are mostly the starting lineups at their respective clubs.
The defense will also have years of experience from the most elite of elite Alves and Thiago.
Brazil Midfielders
The players in the half center of Brazil are arguably the most formidable the Fifa 2022 will have.
It will have an undisputed place for Manchester United’s Casemiro who will be backed by Guimares and Fred. The outlets for the team to do the transition from defense to attack or vice versa also have the options of Lucas Paqueta, Gerson, and Bruno Guimaraes.
The team also has the advantage of the creative abilities of Fred and Ribiero.
Brazil Attackers
This is definitely the area that has often made Brazil the favorite in each world cup.
For some reason, the Selecao have always had abundant star athletes in their attacking lineups.
The ones who will be around the opposition’s goalposts for Brazil need no introduction. The list is quite expensive with the listings of Neymar, Vinicius Jr, Gabriel Jesus, Raphinha, Antony, Richarlison, and Gabriel Martinelli.
Brazil Starting Lineups
With definitively a strong squad depth, it was obviously difficult for Tite to give every player the field time from minute 1.
Although the 26 men have been confirmed, decisions as to who will be the best 11 are yet to be made. But the five times world champion squad has been generally strong with Neymar as their main man in the lead with Vinicius and Raphinha handling the balls at the flanks.
As in the midfield, the men who will be mostly backing up those trio are the partnership of Casemiro, Fred, and Lucas Paqueta.
It gets tough for the opponent like in the boss level to bypass Brazil’s defense when they have Thiago, Marquinhos, Danilo, and Militao guarding the penalty box. Not to mention the veteran skills of Dani Alves.
And as mentioned Tite’s favorite, Alisson is almost unbeatable when surrounded by the aforesaid names.
Brazil Group Fixtures
Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
Thurs, Nov. 24 | Brazil vs. Serbia | 2 p.m. | Lusail Stadium |
Mon, Nov. 28 | Brazil vs. Switzerland | 11 a.m. | Stadium 974 |
Fri, Dec. 2 | Cameroon vs. Brazil | 2 p.m. | Lusail Stadium |