Earlier on Monday, the 26-man Brazil squad for the Qatar 2022 World Cup was announced, and from a Premier League perspective, there are a number of familiar faces who made the cut.
Brazil Squad Announcement – Manchester United and Arsenal Stars Favoured Over Roberto Firmino
🇧🇷 Selected for the Seleção 🇧🇷@GabiMartinelli and @GabrielJesus9 are going to the World Cup 🙌
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 7, 2022
Goalkeepers
Unsurprisingly, both Alisson (Liverpool) and Ederson (Manchester City) were selected and are the Premier League’s first two representatives in the squad. With the pair both having reasons as to why they should be considered the best goalkeepers in world football, Brazil possibly have the strongest depth in this position at the tournament.
Weverton, who plays for Brazilian side Palmeiras, also makes the squad.
Defenders
The timeless Thiago Silva (Chelsea) is the only defender currently playing in England to make the cut, with Alex Telles (Manchester United (on loan at Sevilla)), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Alex Sandro (Juventus) and veteran Dani Alves (Pumas UNAM) all being selected alongside the veteran centre-back.
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Midfielders
The Premier League’s influence continues in midfield, with Fabinho (Liverpool), Fred (Manchester United), Lucas Paqueta (West Ham United), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United) and Casemiro (Manchester United) all making the 26-man squad. Guimaraes, in particular, has been fantastic in Eddie Howe’s overperforming Newcastle United side, and fully deserves to make the cut.
The final midfielder to make the squad is Everton Ribiero, who plays for Brazilian outfit Flamengo, and brings plenty of experience to the side at the age of 33.
Attackers
Brazil have always been known for their attacking flair, and this current squad is no different.
From the Premier League, there is: Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli from Arsenal, Manchester United’s summer signing Antony and Tottenham Hotspur’s Richarlison.
The overwhelming amount of talent doesn’t stop there though, with Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Raphinha (Barcelona), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) and Pedro (Flamengo) all included in the squad.
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Notable Omissions
Two players, in particular, come to mind here, Gabriel Magalhaes of Arsenal and Roberto Firmino of Liverpool.
Gabriel has enjoyed a fantastic start to the 2022/23 Premier League season, forming a formidable partnership with French sensation William Saliba and, while his two fellow Gabriels at Arsenal (Martinelli and Jesus) were selected, he has unluckily missed out on the squad.
Given the lack of a natural striker in the team, Firmino is also unfortunate to miss out, and if the side struggles for goals in the tournament, the decision to not include the forward could be questioned.
