Sao Paulo: Neymar has been confirmed in a Brazil 23-man World Cup squad of few surprises. Neymar has been recovering from right foot surgery in March. The only surprises were among the likely reserves for the tournament in Russia, with the inclusion of Shaktar Donetsk’s Fred and Taisson.
All but one of coach Tite’s starting line-up in World Cup qualifiers was confirmed in the squad Monday: Alisson; Miranda, Marquinhos and Marcelo; Casemiro, Paulinho, Renato Augusto and Philippe Coutinho; Neymar and Gabriel Jesus.
Injured right back and team leader Dani Alves was replaced by Manchester City’s Danilo and Corinthians’ Fagner. Brazil will start its World Cup campaign against Switzerland June 17, followed by Costa Rica and Serbia in Group E.
It was also a surprise that some star players were ignored by Tite, such as central defender David Luiz, left back Alex Sandro, midfielders Oscar, Fabinho, Lucas Moura, forward Hulk and young sensations like Barcelona-bound Arthur, Malcom and Luan.
Final 23-man squad:
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Roma), Ederson (Manchester City), Cassio (Corinthians Sao Paulo)
Defenders: Miranda (Inter), Marquinhos, Thiago Silva (both PSG), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid), Fagner (Corinthians), Pedro Geromel (Gremio), Danilo (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Casemiro (Real Madrid), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Paulinho (Barcelona), Renato Augusto (Beijing Guoan), Philippe Coutinho (Barcelona), Willian (Chelsea), Fred (Shakhtar Donetsk)
Forwards: Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Douglas Costa (Juventus), Taison (Shakhtar Donetsk), Neymar (PSG)
