Who will make it to Brazil’s World Cup squad?

Brazil will play two friendlies against Ghana and Tunisia on September 23 and 27 respectively.

Tite, who will step down as coach after the World Cup, having spent six years in the job, has announced a squad that offers some clues about who will make it to Qatar.

As expected, the squad contains Lucas Paqueta, who joined West Ham this summer, in attacking midfield.

Fred and Casemiro will be sitting slightly deeper.

Since the beginning of 2021, Paqueta has played 1,473 minutes for Brazil, more than any of their other midfield options.

Fred and Casemiro have logged 1,199 and 1,420 respectively.

Liverpool’s Fabinho (753 minutes) is behind the Manchester United pair in the pecking order.

Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes (192 minutes) is the other midfielder in Time’s plans.

However, the matches against Ghana and Tunisia could lead to change in plans.

Guimaraes and Fabinho have been Brazil’s in-form midfielders in 2022.

Tite has even been criticised for sticking with Casemiro and Fred for the June friendlies against South Korea and Japan.

In fact, Casemiro’s lack of minutes in the Man United squad could cost him a place win the starting eleven.

Interestingly, Brazil played brilliantly in an impressive 4-0 away win over Bolivia in March, which was the first time Guimaraes and Fabinho had started together.

Arsenal’s trio of Gabriels – Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli – all miss out on this squad.

However, Gabriel Jesus is a favourite of Tite’s and will surely return to the final squad.

Jesus has already racked up 50 caps for his country and is terrific form for Arsenal.

Aston Villa’s Philippe Coutinho, and veteran defender Dani Alves, now with Mexican side Club Universidad Nacional, are the other high-profile omissions.

Brazil Squad for the 2 friendlies

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City), Weverton (Palmeiras)

Defenders: Alex Sandro (Juventus), Alex Telles (Sevilla), Gleison Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Roger Ibanez (Roma), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Thiago Silva (Chelsea)

Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Everton Ribeiro (Flamengo), Fabinho (Liverpool), Fred (Manchester United), Lucas Paqueta (West Ham)

Forwards: Antony (Manchester United), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Matheus Cunha (Atletico Madrid), Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain), Pedro (Flamengo), Raphinha (Barcelona), Richarlison (Tottenham), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)

Omissions: Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Magalhaes, Emerson Royal, Dani Alves, Philippe Coutinho, Douglas Luiz