Brazil boss Tite has named Newcastle United ace Bruno Guimaraes in his 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. So, what would the Selecao’s strongest starting XI look like?
The South Americans travel to the Middle East this month looking to win a sixth FIFA gong. No country has lifted the title more often than Brazil to date. The Selecao have sealed the title five times (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002) ahead of Germany and Italy with four titles.
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Tite has leaned heavily on players who ply their trade in Europe for his 26-man squad. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced on Monday that Premier League players account for 12 of their squad. Only three of the Selecao’s squad play domestically in Brazil.
Tite has named 12 Premier League players in Brazil’s 26-man World Cup squad
Alisson, Fabinho (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City), Thiago Silva (Chelsea), Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro, Fred, Antony (Manchester United), Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Lucas Paqueta (West Ham) and Richarlison (Tottenham) all play for English clubs.
Tite has named Weverton (Palmeiras), Everton Ribeiro and Pedro (Flamengo) in his squad from those playing in Brazil. Alex Sandro, Danilo and Gleison Bremer (Juventus) are in Italy. Only Neymar and Marquinhos (PSG) play in France, while Dani Alves (Pumas) is in Mexico.
Five Brazil stars will represent Spain’s La Liga in Alex Telles (Sevilla), Eder Militao, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid) and Raphinha (Barcelona). But while Tite predominantly selected Premier League players, the Brazil coach left Roberto Firmino and Gabriel Magalhaes out.
Yet while 12 of the 26 players Tite has named in Brazil’s squad for the Qatar World Cup are based in England, HITC Football only expects five to make their strongest starting line-up…
Alisson (GK): Brazil name the Liverpool star in Tite’s World Cup squad
Tite named Alisson in his World Cup squad and should start the Liverpool goalkeeper when Brazil face Serbia on November 24. The Selecao also face Switzerland on November 28 and Cameroon on December 2 in Group G. Brazil last went home after the first round in 1966.
Alisson has been Brazil’s number one between the posts since making his debut in 2015 in former boss Dunga’s plans. The 30-year-old has kept 39 clean sheets over 57 appearances.
Dani Alves (RB): Tite continues to lean on the 39-year-old ahead of Qatar 2022
Tite continues to rely on 39-year-old Alves to feature at right-back for Brazil. The veteran defender made his Selecao debut back in 2006 and has 124-caps. Only Roberto Carlos (125) and Cafu (142) have played more often for Brazil than the Juazeiro-born vice-captain.
Marquinhos (CB): Paris Saint-Germain star will be integral to Brazil’s squad in Qatar
Marquinhos will be integral to Brazil’s efforts in Qatar with Tite favouring the Paris Saint-Germain captain since taking charge in 2016. The 28-year-old did not become a regular for his country before the CFB sacked Dunga. But he is now one of the first on the team sheet.
Thiago Silva (CB): Chelsea ace is going to his fourth World Cup as Brazil’s captain
Silva is going to a fourth World Cup and will hope to feature at a third after Tite named the Chelsea star in Brazil’s squad. The 38-year-old first went to a FIFA tournament in 2010. But the Rio de Janeiro-born enforcer did not play until captaining his side on home soil in 2014.
Alex Sandro (LB): Juventus full-back is going to his first World Cup at 31
Sandro is going to his first World Cup at 31 years old – he will turn 32 in January – at Qatar 2022. The 37-cap full-back has never gone to the finals of the FIFA tournament previously, despite making his Selecao debut in 2011. He fell out of favour between 2012 and 2017.
Casemiro (CDM): Manchester United star to keep Liverpool’s Fabinho on the bench
Manchester United midfielder Casemiro will keep his Liverpool counterpart Fabinho on the Brazil bench at the World Cup in Qatar. The Red Devils’ £70m transfer from Real Madrid in August is a part of Tite’s leadership team and has been a mainstay of the squad since 2016.
Bruno Guimaraes (CDM): Newcastle’s star is set to shine on the World Cup stage
Guimaraes is set to see one of Newcastle’s stars shine on the World Cup stage with Brazil. The Magpies’ £41.5m January transfer from Lyon has been a revelation since arriving at St James’ Park. He pulls the strings in Eddie Howe’s system with a stellar all-action approach.
Raphinha (RM): Tite will want more from the ex-Leeds winger now at Barcelona
Tite will hope Raphinha continues to deliver for Brazil in Qatar as the Barcelona forward is struggling in Spain. Since leaving Leeds in a £55m transfer this July, the 11-cap star has a goal and four assists in 17 games. He struck two and created two in his last three for Brazil.
Lucas Paqueta (CAM): West Ham should see one of their players start under Tite
West Ham should see one of their players start at the World Cup after Tite named Paqueta in Brazil’s squad. The Irons’ £50m signing from Lyon this August made his Selecao debut in 2018 after the last World Cup. He has gone on to amass 35 caps and has started 23 games.
Vinicius Jr (LM): Neymar rates the Real Madrid dynamo as the best in the world
Vinicius Jr is going from strength to strength and the 22-year-old is set to shine for Brazil in Qatar. Tite named the 16-cap forward in his World Cup squad after the Sao Goncalo native hit six goals in 13 La Liga matches and scored four in six Champions League ties this term.
His efforts last season also helped Real Madrid win the Champions League, following which Neymar was effusive with praise. The Paris Saint-Germain star hailed his compatriot whilst speaking to TNT Sports. He said in May: “[The] best [player] in the world? Vini Jr!”
Neymar (ST): Tite will hope to see the PSG star be Brazil’s talisman again in Qatar
Tite will also hope to see Neymar continue to serve as Brazil’s talisman at the World Cup in Qatar. The Paris Saint-Germain forward hit four goals at the 2014 edition on home soil and added another two goals at Russia 2018. He also laid on single assists at each tournament.
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