The Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) has officially announced a preliminary squad of 52 players for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Colombia on March 21 and Argentina on March 26. Among the notable inclusions are Neymar, who returns to the national setup after a long injury layoff, and veteran midfielder Oscar, making a surprising comeback.
Head coach Dorival Júnior will soon trim the list down to a final 23-player squad, but the initial selections highlight the depth and talent Brazil possesses as they aim to solidify their position in the South American qualifiers.
Table of Contents
Neymar’s Highly Anticipated Comeback
Neymar’s return to the Brazilian national team has been eagerly awaited by fans and analysts alike. The 32-year-old forward last played for the Seleção in October 2023 against Uruguay, where he suffered a devastating knee injury—tearing his cruciate ligament and meniscus. This injury sidelined him for months, requiring surgery and an extensive rehabilitation process.
Having recently regained fitness, Neymar’s inclusion in the preliminary squad signals a potential comeback to competitive international football. The Santos forward will be looking to regain his form and contribute to Brazil’s World Cup qualification campaign.
Oscar’s Unexpected Call-Up
Another major talking point is the return of Oscar. The former Chelsea midfielder has been out of the national team picture for years, having last played for Brazil in 2016. Despite spending much of his career in China, the 32-year-old has remained an influential playmaker and recently joined São Paulo.
His experience and technical ability could be valuable assets in a squad filled with young talents. Oscar’s inclusion suggests that Dorival Júnior is keeping his options open when it comes to selecting creative midfielders who can dictate the pace of the game.
Brazil Names 52-Player Provisional Squad for March Qualifiers
Brazil’s 52-player list features a blend of experienced internationals and promising young stars across all positions.
Goalkeepers
- Alisson (Liverpool)
- Bento (Al-Nassr)
- Ederson (Manchester City)
- Hugo Souza (Corinthians)
- Lucas Perry (Lyon)
- Weverton (Palmeiras)
Defenders
- Alessandro (Lille)
- Beraldo (PSG)
- Danilo (Flamengo)
- Fabricio Bruno (Cruzeiro)
- Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal)
- Leo Ortiz (Flamengo)
- Marquinhos (PSG)
- Murillo (Nottingham Forest)
Full-backs
- Abner (Lyon)
- Alex Sandro (Flamengo)
- Alex Telles (Botafogo)
- Dodo (Fiorentina)
- Douglas Santos (Zenit)
- Guilherme Arana (Atletico Mineiro)
- Wanderson (Monaco)
- Wesley (Flamengo)
Midfielders
- Alisson (São Paulo)
- Andre (Wolves)
- Andreas Pereira (Fulham)
- Andrey Santos (Strasbourg)
- Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle)
- Ederson (Atalanta)
- Gerson (Flamengo)
- João Gomes (Wolves)
- Joelinton (Newcastle)
- Lucas Moura (São Paulo)
- Lucas Paquetá (West Ham)
- Matheus Cunha (Wolves)
- Neymar (Santos)
- Oscar (São Paulo)
Forwards
- Antony (Real Betis)
- Bruno Henrique (Flamengo)
- Endrick (Real Madrid)
- Estevão (Palmeiras)
- Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)
- Galeno (Al-Ahli)
- Igor Jesus (Botafogo)
- Igor Paixão (Feyenoord)
- João Pedro (Brighton)
- Luis Enrique (Zenit)
- Raphinha (Barcelona)
- Rodrygo (Real Madrid)
- Samuel Lino (Atletico Madrid)
- Savinho (Manchester City)
- Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid)
- Yuri Alberto (Corinthians)
Selection Strategy: A Mix of Experience and Youth
Dorival Júnior’s preliminary squad reflects a balance between seasoned veterans and emerging stars. Established players like Alisson, Ederson, Marquinhos, and Vinícius Júnior provide leadership and reliability, while young talents like Endrick, Estevão, and Andrey Santos signal the future of Brazilian football.
With the likes of Bruno Guimarães, Lucas Paquetá, and João Gomes in midfield, the squad has a strong blend of physicality, creativity, and tactical flexibility. The competition for places will be fierce, especially as Dorival Júnior trims the squad to 23 players in the coming days.
Upcoming Challenges: Colombia and Argentina Await
Brazil faces two tough opponents in the upcoming qualifiers. Colombia, known for their physical and dynamic play, will provide a stern test in Barranquilla. Argentina, reigning World Cup champions, will be an even greater challenge as Brazil seeks redemption following their 1-0 defeat in the Copa América final in 2021.
The final squad selection will be crucial in determining Brazil’s approach to these matches. Neymar’s potential return to competitive action will add an extra layer of excitement, while the presence of Oscar could offer a new dimension in midfield.
What’s Next for Brazil?
The official squad announcement next week will finalize the group that will travel for the crucial fixtures. The return of Neymar and Oscar suggests that Dorival Júnior is open to reintegrating experienced players into the squad while also prioritizing the development of young talents.
Brazil’s journey to the 2026 World Cup is well underway, and the upcoming matches against Colombia and Argentina will be key moments in their campaign. Fans will be eagerly waiting to see if Neymar makes his much-anticipated return and how this mix of old and new faces performs on the international stage.
Read More: Neymar Reveals Why He Rejected Real Madrid’s Blank Cheque Offer for Barcelona
FAQs
Why is Neymar’s return to Brazil’s squad significant?
Neymar is making a comeback after a long injury layoff following a torn cruciate ligament and meniscus injury suffered in October 2023. His return boosts Brazil’s attack for the World Cup qualifiers.
When was Neymar last seen playing for Brazil?
Neymar last played for the national team in October 2023 against Uruguay in a World Cup qualifier, where he sustained a serious knee injury.
Why is Oscar’s inclusion in Brazil’s squad surprising?
Oscar has been absent from the national team since 2016. His recall at 32 years old suggests coach Dorival Júnior values his experience and playmaking abilities.
When will Brazil’s final 23-man squad be announced?
Head coach Dorival Júnior will finalize the squad next week, trimming the preliminary 52-player list down to 23 selections.
Who are Brazil’s opponents in the March 2026 World Cup qualifiers?
Brazil will face Colombia on March 21 and Argentina on March 26 as part of their South American World Cup qualifying campaign.
