Thiago and Rayan receive first Brazil call-ups

Igor Thiago, a Brentford striker, and Rayan, a Bournemouth winger, have received their first call-ups to the Brazil squad for friendlies against France and Croatia later this month. The Brazilian national team will face France on March 26 in Boston, and then play Croatia on March 31 in Orlando. These fixtures are the last matches before Carlo Ancelotti names his World Cup selection.

Thiago, 24, joined Brentford for a club-record fee of £30m in July 2024 from Club Brugge. He is currently the second-highest scorer in the Premier League season with 19 goals. Rayan, 19, joined Bournemouth in January for £24.7m from Vasco de Gama and has scored two Premier League goals. Former Norwich attacker Gabriel Sara has also been selected for the first time.

Neymar is missing from the squad due to fitness issues, with Ancelotti stating he hasn't called him up because he's not 100 per cent. Leo Pereira, 30, a Flamengo centre-back, is also a new addition to the squad. Endrick, 19, who joined Lyon on loan from Real Madrid, has been recalled after making his last international appearance a year ago. He recently scored a hat-trick against Metz in his second appearance for Lyon.

Brazil's World Cup campaign will begin against Morocco in New Jersey on June 13. They will also face Haiti and Scotland in Group C. The squad includes goalkeepers Alisson, Bento, and Ederson, as well as defenders Alex Sandro, Bremer, Danilo, Douglas Santos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ibanez, Leo Pereira, Marquinhos, and Wesley. Midfielders include Andrey Santos, Casemiro, Danilo, Fabinho, and Gabriel Sara. The forwards selected are Endrick, Gabriel Martinelli, Igor Thiago, Joao Pedro, Luiz Henrique, Matheus Cunha, Raphinha, Rayan, and Vinicius Jr.