Check out the 52 pre-called-up players by CBF for Brazil’s matches against Argentina and Colombia

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) released, on Friday, February 28, a pre-list featuring 52 players selected by coach Dorival Júnior for Brazil’s upcoming matches in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. Among the standout names is the return of Neymar, currently playing for Santos, who re-enters the pre-call-up list after a hiatus due to injuries and his move back to Brazilian football. The list also includes surprises like Oscar from São Paulo and Yuri Alberto from Corinthians, alongside young prospects such as Estêvão from Palmeiras and veterans like Bruno Henrique from Flamengo. These athletes represent a blend of experience and renewal, reflecting Dorival’s strategy for the clashes against Colombia and Argentina, scheduled for March 20 and 25, respectively. The final call-up, with 23 names, will be announced on March 7 during an event in Rio de Janeiro.

With Brazil currently holding fifth place in the Qualifiers standings, accumulating 18 points over 12 rounds, the matches against their South American rivals are seen as pivotal to strengthening their campaign for the 2026 World Cup, set to take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The team will face Colombia in Brasília at the Mané Garrincha Stadium, followed by a trip to Buenos Aires to take on reigning world champions Argentina in a highly anticipated classic. The pre-list showcases a mix of players thriving in top European leagues like the Premier League and La Liga, alongside those shining in Brazil’s domestic scene, highlighting the strong moment of local clubs.

In addition to Neymar, familiar names like Alisson (Liverpool), Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid), and Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle) bolster the team’s established core. The inclusion of young talents such as Endrick (Real Madrid) and Igor Jesus (Botafogo), as well as rising stars in the international arena like Murillo (Nottingham Forest) and Samuel Lino (Atlético de Madrid), suggests Dorival Júnior is keeping an eye on the next generation while relying on proven pillars. The positional diversity in the pre-list—featuring six goalkeepers, eight center-backs, eight full-backs, 14 midfielders, and 16 forwards—offers a range of tactical possibilities.

Neymar’s return marks a new chapter for the Brazilian national team

Neymar’s reappearance in Brazil’s pre-list steals the spotlight in the CBF announcement. After departing Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia and returning to Santos, where he began his career, the 33-year-old star aims to reclaim his spot in the national team. He hasn’t donned the yellow jersey since October 2023, when a severe knee injury sidelined him during a Qualifiers match against Uruguay. Now recovered and active in Brazilian football, Neymar emerges as Dorival Júnior’s bet to bring leadership and flair to the squad, particularly for the critical games against Colombia and Argentina. His record of 79 goals in 128 appearances for Brazil underscores his value at a time of pressure in the Qualifiers.

Oscar, São Paulo’s midfielder, also stands out among the pre-called-up players. With a notable stint at Chelsea, where he won the Premier League and Europa League, the 33-year-old returned to Brazil in 2024 and has impressed at the Tricolor. His inclusion reflects Dorival’s acknowledgment of strong performances in the Brazilian Championship, where Oscar combines vision and precision passing. Another eye-catching name is Yuri Alberto, Corinthians’ striker and the 2024 Brasileirão top scorer with 18 goals so far. At 23, he’s enjoying his best season and could secure a spot in the final call-up, bolstering the attack alongside youngsters like Estêvão, a 17-year-old already signed by Chelsea but still shining at Palmeiras.

On the international stage, the pre-list retains the strength of players from Europe’s elite leagues. Vinicius Jr., a standout at Real Madrid and a Ballon d’Or contender, remains a key figure in the attack, while Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle anchors the midfield. Lesser-seen names like Galeno from Al Ahli and Igor Paixão from Feyenoord indicate Dorival is scouting Brazilians in alternative markets, such as Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands. This broad approach signals an intent to experiment with formations ahead of defining the squad for March’s challenges.

Young talents gain ground in Dorival Júnior’s pre-list

Estêvão, nicknamed “Messinho,” is one of the brightest prospects in the pre-list. At just 17, the Palmeiras forward has dazzled with his skill and maturity, drawing comparisons to Neymar’s early days. Sold to Chelsea for around 40 million euros, he’ll join the English club in July 2025 but is already catching the national team staff’s attention. His presence, alongside Endrick—another Real Madrid youngster—underscores the renewal Dorival is pushing. Endrick, 18, has notched three goals in 12 matches for the Spanish giants in the 2024/25 season, showing swift adaptation to European football.

Igor Jesus from Botafogo also emerges as a promising newcomer. The 2024 Libertadores top scorer with seven goals, the 23-year-old led his club to the continental title and earned his first call-up in 2024 for matches against Venezuela and Uruguay. His continued inclusion in the pre-list reinforces Dorival’s faith in his attacking potential. Other young stars like Samuel Lino from Atlético de Madrid and Andrey Santos, on loan from Chelsea to Strasbourg, round out the group of emerging talents who could break into the senior squad, especially in a cycle targeting the 2026 World Cup.

Blending youth with experience has been a cornerstone of Dorival Júnior’s tenure since he took over in January 2024. Over seven call-ups, he’s summoned 68 different players, 36 of them debutants in the current cycle. Names like André (Wolverhampton), João Gomes (Wolverhampton), and Luiz Henrique (Zenit), tested in 2024, remain in the pre-list, signaling continuity in his scouting efforts. This focus on young players also addresses Brazil’s uneven showing at the 2024 Copa América, where they fell to Uruguay in the quarterfinals, ramping up calls for a squad overhaul.

Schedule for Brazil’s next steps

The March matches mark the 13th and 14th rounds of the South American Qualifiers, and Brazil’s preparations follow a set timeline outlined by the CBF. Here are the key dates:

• February 28: Release of the 52-player pre-list.
• March 7: Final 23-player call-up announcement in Rio de Janeiro.
• March 20: Match against Colombia at 9 PM (Brasília time) at Mané Garrincha Stadium.
• March 25: Clash with Argentina at 9:30 PM (Brasília time) in Buenos Aires.

Training is expected to begin the week of March 17 at Granja Comary in Teresópolis. The Colombia game marks Brazil’s return to Brasília, where they thrashed Peru 4-0 in October 2024. The Argentina showdown will be the first away classic of the year, following a 1-1 draw at the Maracanã in November 2024.

Veterans and surprises in CBF’s pre-list

Beyond Neymar, veterans like Alex Sandro, now at Flamengo, and Lucas Moura from São Paulo feature in the pre-list. Both with extensive European careers, they returned to Brazil in 2024 and have performed well locally. Alex Sandro, 34, brings over 40 caps of experience to the left-back role, while Lucas Moura, 32, offers versatility in midfield and attack. Bruno Henrique from Flamengo, 33, also highlights the value placed on Brasileirão standouts, having scored 12 goals last season.

Among the surprises, Hugo Souza, Corinthians’ goalkeeper, earns his first pre-list nod. With key saves in his club’s campaign, he challenges established names like Alisson and Ederson. Douglas Santos from Zenit and Joelinton from Newcastle also re-enter Dorival’s radar after time away. Joelinton, in particular, is in fine form in the Premier League, with five goals and three assists in the 2024/25 season, potentially securing his spot in the final list.

The pre-list also reflects Brazilian football’s strong moment. Clubs like Flamengo, with five representatives (Danilo, Léo Ortiz, Alex Sandro, Gerson, and Bruno Henrique), and São Paulo, with Alisson, Oscar, and Lucas Moura, lead the domestic contingent. Corinthians, Palmeiras, Botafogo, and Atlético-MG also contribute, underscoring the Brasileirão’s role as a talent hub for the national team.

Key positions in Dorival Júnior’s pre-list

The breakdown of the 52 pre-called-up players by position reveals Dorival Júnior’s focus on covering all areas with diverse options. Check out the highlights by sector:

• Goalkeepers: Alisson, Ederson, and Bento lead, with Hugo Souza as a fresh face.
• Center-backs: Gabriel Magalhães and Marquinhos are regulars, while Murillo and Beraldo represent the new guard.
• Full-backs: Guilherme Arana and Vanderson solidify their roles, but Alex Sandro and Wesley add competition.
• Midfielders: Bruno Guimarães and Lucas Paquetá are staples, with Neymar and Oscar as creative options.
• Forwards: Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, and Raphinha form the core, while Estêvão and Yuri Alberto emerge as bets.

This range allows the coach to test various tactical setups, especially against tough opponents like Argentina and Colombia, known for solid defenses and quick attacks. The pre-list includes 28 Europe-based players, 19 from Brazil, and five from other leagues like Saudi Arabia and Russia, broadening the scouting scope.

Outlook for the Qualifiers matches

With 18 points in 12 matches, Brazil trails Argentina (25 points), Uruguay (19), Colombia (19), and Ecuador (18, with a worse goal difference) in the Qualifiers table. The March games offer a chance to close the gap on the leaders and secure a direct World Cup spot, reserved for the top six teams. Seventh place leads to a playoff, a scenario Brazil aims to avoid. In their last five matches, they’ve won two, drawn two, and lost one, reflecting an inconsistent run that Dorival seeks to stabilize.

The Colombia match at home is an opportunity to capitalize on fan support for three points. The opponent, who knocked Brazil out of the 2024 Copa América on penalties, is in good form under Néstor Lorenzo but has struggled away. The Argentina classic in Buenos Aires, however, will be a stern test. Lionel Messi and co. beat Brazil 1-0 at the Maracanã in 2023, and the historic rivalry heightens anticipation for the showdown.

The CBF’s 52-player pre-list shows Dorival Júnior banking on a broad, diverse squad to tackle these challenges. The final call-up, a week away, will name the 23 players tasked with getting Brazil back on track for a sixth World Cup title in 2026.