Brazil’s national team coach announced the list of 23 players called up for the double date of the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. The Seleção will first face Ecuador in Curitiba on September 6, and four days later they will play against Paraguay in Asunción.
The duels will be crucial, as the five-time world champion is sixth in the standings. It has not won in four games and suffered three consecutive defeats, including against Argentina at the Maracaná, which ended its historic unbeaten run at home in this tournament.
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Palmeiras’ star player, Estêvão Willian, Botafogo’s star signing, and Flamengo’s top scorer, Pedro, are the main new additions. Ederson returns after being left out of the 2024 Copa América due to injury, and, unsurprisingly, the Real Madrid trio were called up again: Vinicius, Rodrygo and Endrick.
This will be Dorival Júnior’s official debut in the qualifiers, after taking over from Fernando Diniz earlier this year. Under his command, Brazil was eliminated prematurely in the quarter-finals of the Copa América.
Before losing to Uruguay on penalties, the former São Paulo coach had overseen four friendlies, including a 1-0 win over England at Wembley and a 3-3 draw against Spain at the Santiago Bernábeu. Prior to the Copa América, they beat Mexico 3-2 and drew 1-1 against the United States.
Brazil’s roster for the qualifiers
Goalkeepers
Alisson (Liverpool)
Bento
Ederson (Manchester City)
Defenses
Danilo (Juventus)
Yan Couto (Borussia Dortmund)
Guilherme Arana (Atlético Mineiro)
Wendell (Porto)
Beraldo (PSG)
Éder Militão (Real Madrid)
Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal)
Marquinhos (PSG)
Midfielders
André (Fluminense)
Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle)
Gerson (Flamengo)
João Gomes (Wolverhampton)
Lucas Paquetá (West Ham)
Forwards
Rodrygo (Real Madrid)
Endrick (Real Madrid)
Estêvão Willian (Palmeiras)
Luiz Henrique (Botafogo)
Pedro (Flamengo)
Savinho (Manchester City)
Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
