A Look At The Brazil National Football Team For Copa America 2024

The Brazil national football team is currently facing challenges. After being eliminated by Croatia in the 2022 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals, the five-time world champions have been experiencing a series of heartbreaks. There are doubts about whether they can be considered favourites to win the Copa America 2024. Having said that, the Selecao still have the potential to perform well, especially with their exceptional attacking depth. However, they have to regain form in the weeks leading up to the continental tournament. Their performance in the 2023 World Cup qualifiers was disappointing, with three consecutive losses. Fernando Diniz paid for that poor run and has been replaced as manager by veteran Dorival Junior. However, Dorival wasted little time in naming his squad for the Copa America 2024. He confirmed an initial 23 names to represent the Brazil national football team on May 10 and added three more after CONMEBOL increased roster sizes to 26 for the tournament.

Vinicius Junior leads the attack without Neymar: Brazil national football team for Copa America 2024

The Real Madrid trio of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Endrick make the cut as Brazil national football team announced its Copa America 2024 squad. Raphinha, who impressed with Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League knockouts this season by scoring three of his side's four goals against Paris Saint-Germain in the quarterfinals, has earned a call-up and is expected to be a regular player for the Selecao in the continental tournament. In the last edition of the tournament, Brazil handed Lionel Messi his first international trophy, with the La Albiceleste losing 1-0 in the final. Despite being 36 years old now, the goalscorer in that game, Angel Di Maria, has also been included in the Argentina Copa America 2024 squad.

The 17-year-old sensation Endrick scored against England and Spain in consecutive international friendlies and was a notable addition to the Brazil Copa America 2024 squad. He became the youngest-ever goalscorer at Wembley Stadium, scoring on his debut against the Three Lions in November last year. Talking about the latest Football news, Neymar, the highest-ever goalscorer for Brazil with 79 goals, failed to make the cut as he is recuperating from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. He picked up the injury in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier against Uruguay in October last year and has been out of action for Brazil since. Juventus defender Bremer, Atalanta midfielder Ederson and Porto forward Pepe have been added to the squad after Ederson suffered a minor fracture of his eye socket when he collided with Tottenham Hotspur's Argentina defender Cristian Romero during City's recent 2-0 away win.

Regrettably, Casemiro, a key figure in Brazil's defensive midfield during the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the appointed captain of the Brazil national football team since 2023, was shockingly omitted from the squad. This exclusion comes after a challenging 2023-24 season for the Manchester United player, marked by persistent injuries and his non-inclusion in the team for the friendly match against England in March. Antony, another Manchester United player grappling with form, was also left out. Furthermore, Richarlison, renowned for his spectacular overhead kick against Serbia in the 2022 Football World Cup, failed to secure a spot. Reports indicate that the Tottenham Hotspur forward is sidelined due to injury. But there's absolutely no doubt that Vinicius Junior will finish the 2024 season as one of the best football players in the world. Vinicius Junior is at the top of the Football player ranking and will hope to continue his top form in the continental tournament.

Brazil squad for Copa America 2024

Goalkeepers: Alisson, Bento, Rafael

Defenders: Lucas Beraldo, Eder Militao, Gabriel Magalhaes, Marquinhos, Danilo, Yan Couto, Guilherme Arana, Wendell, Gleison Bremer

Midfielders: Andreas Pereira, Bruno Guimaraes, Douglas Luiz, Joao Gomez, Lucas Paqueta, Ederson

Forwards: Endrick, Evanilson, Gabriel Martinelli, Raphinha, Rodrygo, Savinho, Vinicius Jr, Pepe.

Lucas Paqueta to stay in Brazil Copa America 2024 squad as he fights spot-fixing charges in England

In a massive relief for Brazil football fans, Lucas Paqueta is allowed to continue playing for Brazil while he battles spot-fixing charges from the English Football Association, the Brazil national football team announced recently. Paqueta plays for West Ham and is accused of intentionally getting yellow cards in Premier League games to manipulate betting markets. He was charged with misconduct on May 23 and could face a lengthy ban if found guilty by English football authorities. Paqueta quickly turned to social media to talk about the charges, promising to fight with every breath to clear his name, but is in a race against time to officially respond to the allegations.

The English Football Association has acknowledged that Paqueta may request an extension before providing his official response. However, the Brazilian Football Confederation stated that it was aware of the allegations and had contacted the English FA for information. According to the English FA's responses, confederation president Ednaldo Rodrigues Gomes stated that Paqueta will remain in Brazil's squad for the upcoming Copa America, which starts on June 20. Additionally, Paqueta is free to participate in the upcoming friendlies against Mexico and the United States.

Copa America 2024 Warm-Up Matches: Complete Schedule (Indian Standard Timings)

The Brazil national football team is the third most successful team in Copa America history with nine titles, behind Argentina and Uruguay, who have 15 titles each. They are in Group D for this edition of the tournament, along with Colombia, Paraguay, and Costa Rica. Brazil will start their Copa America campaign against Costa Rica on June 24, followed by Paraguay four days later and Colombia on July 2. The tournament will be held in the United States from June 20 to July 14. This is the second time the United States will host Copa America, with 16 teams competing for the title. Before the Copa America 2024 tournament starts, teams will warm up by testing their provisional squads in international friendlies. Brazil will play friendlies against Mexico on June 8 and the U.S. on June 12 as part of their preparations. Here's a complete look at the schedule of all warm-up matches before the continental tournament kicks off.