Arthur Elias announces the squad for the women’s team with Tamires’ return for international friendlies

Coach Arthur Elias announced this Thursday, February 12, 2026, the call-up of 26 players to represent the Brazilian women’s team in the first matches of the season. The official announcement took place at the headquarters of Confederação Brasileira of Futebol, at Rio of Janeiro, establishing the group that will face Costa Rica, Venezuela and Estas matches are scheduled for the period between February 27th and March 7th, serving as a preparatory basis for the Copa cycle of Mundo in 2027.

The list presents a strategic balance between the experience of renowned athletes and the youth of promises that have stood out in national and international championships. Arthur Elias highlighted that the priority of the call-up was the current situation of the players, focusing on those who have already completed the pre-season period and have a competitive game rhythm. The return of full-back Tamires is the highlight of the relationship, bringing leadership and technical quality to the defensive sector after a period of absence due to physical recovery.

BRAZILIAN SELECTION CALLED UP! 🇧🇷

Coach Arthur Elias released the list of athletes who will represent Brasil in the friendlies against Costa Rica, Venezuela and México.

Bring on the first commitments of 2026! 💪✨#Women’s National Team pic.twitter.com/tFTfNXnKi3

— Seleção Feminina by Futebol (@SelecaoFeminina)February 12, 2026

Detailed list of plays called by position

Below, we present the complete list of the 26 athletes selected by Arthur Elias for the series of friendlies at América of Norte and Central:

• Goalkeepers:
  • Lelê (Corinthians)
  • Thaís (Benfica – POR)
  • Claudia (Cruzeiro)
• Defenders:
  • Tarciane (Lyon – FRA)
  • Mariza (Tigres – MEX)
  • Thaís Ferreira (Corinthians)
  • Lauren (Atlético de Madrid – ESP)
• Sides:
  • Yasmim (Real Madrid – ESP)
  • Fê Palermo (Palmeiras)
  • Tamires (Corinthians)
  • Gi Fernandes (Corinthians)
  • Isabela (PSG – FRA)
• Midfielders:
  • Duda Sampaio (Corinthians)
  • Ana Vitória (Corinthians)
  • Maiara (Angel City – USA)
  • Brena (Palmeiras)
  • Luana (Orlando Pride – USA)
• Attackers:
  • Kerolin (Manchester City – ING)
  • Bia Zaneratto (Palmeiras)
  • Tainá Maranhão (Palmeiras)
  • Gabi Zanotti (Corinthians)
  • Jhennifer (Tigres – MEX)
  • Luany (Atlético de Madrid – ESP)
  • Jaque (Corinthians)
  • Adriana (Al-Qadsiah – ARA)
  • Geyse (America – MEX)

Choice criteria and preparation for 2026

The technical command emphasized that individual performance analysis was rigorous during the first months of the year to guarantee a physically prepared group. Arthur Elias explained that the choice of athletes who play in different world leagues, such as Liga Saudita, the NWSL and European leagues, aims to enrich the team’s tactical repertoire. The intention is to create an environment of high internal competitiveness, where each call-up reflects the constancy and evolution of the players in their respective clubs.

The presence of 13 players who play in Brazilian football reinforces the appreciation of national clubs, with special emphasis on Corinthians, which had eight athletes called up. The coach seeks to integrate these players with those who play abroad to form a cohesive squad that is adaptable to different styles of play. The technical committee monitors each player’s statistics weekly, using GPS data and video analysis to validate the choices made at the CBF headquarters.

Friendlies schedule and logistical challenges

Brasil will begin its journey on February 27th against Costa Rica, playing at Estádio Alejandro Morera Soto, in Alajuela, at 7pm (local time). Este first clash is seen as essential to establish the chemistry of the new pieces and test defensive solidity with the return of Tamires. Travel logistics were planned to ensure that athletes had sufficient recovery time between air travel and on-field training sessions.

Next, the team travels to México to face Venezuela on March 4th, at 3pm (Toluca local time), at Centro of Treinamento of Federação Mexicana. The end of the series of friendlies takes place on March 7th against México, at 5pm (Cidade local time of México), at Estádio Ciudad of Deportes. Estes away-from-home challenges are purposeful to test the group’s emotional resilience in the face of opposing fans and varying weather conditions.

Repercussions of the return of Tamires and news

The return of Tamires was celebrated by both the coaching staff and the fans, given the importance of the side to Arthur Elias’s tactical scheme. The player, who is a reference in Corinthians, offers offensive depth and intelligent defensive coverage, allowing the top attackers to have more freedom. Sua experience in Copas from Mundo and Olimpíadas will be essential in mentoring the young full-backs

Other news such as Maiara, from Angel City, and striker Jhennifer, who plays for México, show the coach’s willingness to test new offensive options. Jhennifer’s versatility allows her to act both as a classic center forward and floating around the wings, confusing the opponent’s marking. Essas variations are part of the tactical laboratory that Elias intends to consolidate before the Fifa Series tournament scheduled for April.

Focus on the transition between defense and attack

One of the pillars of Arthur Elias’s work is the quick transition, using midfielders to quickly activate speed attackers like Kerolin and Luany. The call of Ana Vitória and Duda Sampaio guarantees a qualified ball release, minimizing the chances of interception by opponents. The coach requires the team to maintain possession of the ball in the attacking field, putting pressure on the opponents to force errors and create finishing opportunities.

The offensive sector, made up of big names like Bia Zaneratto and Geyse, offers several finishing alternatives, from aerial play to medium-range shots. The technical team works intensely on rehearsed corners and lateral free kicks, taking advantage of the stature of defenders such as Tarciane and Lauren. The goal is to make the women’s team an unpredictable and lethal team in all phases of the match, regardless of the level of difficulty imposed by the rival.

Adaptation to local conditions in América of Norte

Working at México and Costa Rica requires special preparation due to the altitude and dry climate in certain regions, which directly affects physical performance. The physical preparation of the Brazilian team prepared specific hydration and supplementation protocols to mitigate the effects of the altitude of Toluca and Cidade of México. Medical monitoring will be constant throughout the delegation’s stay abroad, aiming to prevent muscle injuries caused by excessive exertion.

Athletes who play in Mexican football, such as Mariza and Jhennifer, will act as facilitators in the group’s adaptation to the local environment. Knowledge about the pitches and the ball’s behavior at these altitudes will be shared between the players to optimize training time. Arthur Elias believes that facing these geographical difficulties now will prepare the team for adverse scenarios in official competitions of greater magnitude in the future.

Expectations for the season premiere

Brazilian fans eagerly await the performance of this new formation, hoping that Brasil will present engaging and aggressive football. The coach reinforced that the objective is not just to win, but to consolidate a game model that is the hallmark of the team under his command. The unity of the group and the quick understanding of tactical instructions will be indicators of success on this first Fifa date of the year.

With the call list closed, the focus now turns entirely to executing the training plans and boarding the delegation. The women’s team enters 2026 with renewed ambition, aiming for technical excellence and the strengthening of women’s football globally. Success in these friendlies will be the first step towards a season that promises to be one of great achievements and affirmation for the warriors of the Brazilian team.