Carlo Ancelotti finalizes Brazil squad for friendlies without Neymar

The upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia in the United States will serve as the last opportunity for players to impress before Ancelotti names his tournament squad in May.

Headline inclusions are Brentford striker Igor Thiago and Bournemouth winger Rayan, both earning first-time call-ups.

Thiago has scored 19 Premier League goals this season for Brentford, second only to Erling Haaland, after an injury-hit debut season. Rayan, 19, has impressed since joining Bournemouth from Vasco da Gama in January, already contributing in key Premier League games.

Other newcomers include Gabriel Sara, who won the Turkish Super League in his first season at Galatasaray, and Flamengo defender Leo Pereira. 19-year-old striker Endrick returns to the squad after an impressive loan spell at Lyon, where he scored a hat-trick in only his second appearance.

Neymar remains absent due to a knee injury sustained in October 2023. "I haven't called him up because he's not 100 per cent," Ancelotti said, though he left open the possibility that Neymar could feature in the World Cup if he reaches peak fitness. Neymar admitted he was "upset and sad" at missing the friendlies but is focused on regaining full fitness to compete for Brazil at the global showpiece.

Brazil face France on 26 March in Boston and Croatia on 31 March in Orlando, their final friendlies before the World Cup. The five-time champions start the tournament against Morocco on 13 June in New Jersey, followed by Group C matches against Scotland and Haiti.

Ancelotti emphasized the importance of arriving at the World Cup in peak condition, both physically and mentally, and hinted at plans to extend his tenure as Brazil coach through 2030, ensuring continuity and stability as he builds a squad capable of challenging for a sixth title.

Full Brazil squad:

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al Nassr), Ederson (Fenerbahce).

Defenders: Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Ibanez (Al-Ahly), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Marquinhos (PSG), Wesley (Roma).

Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Chelsea), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray).

Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid), Joao Pedro (Chelsea).