RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil football coach Fernando Diniz has called Neymar and Vinicius Junior for the opening matches of the qualifying campaign of the 2026 World Cup, AFP reported on Friday.
Five-time champions Brazil, who got eliminated from the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup after losing to Croatia, will launch their qualifying campaign against Bolivia on September 8 in Belem, Brazil.
It is the first announcement of the squad for Fernando Diniz, 49, after taking over from Tite due to the disappointing performance of the Brazilian team in Qatar.
Neymar Returns to Brazilian Squad for World Cup Qualifying Campaign
There had been speculations about the presence of star striker Neymar, 31, in the national team.
He is currently associated with the Saudi Arabian Al-Hilal club after quitting Paris Saint-Germain football club.
Neymar who plays as a forward has scored 118 goals in 173 matches for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in six seasons. He won three French Cups and five Ligue 1 titles.
Brazil football coach Fernando Diniz in a press conference said that Neymar is willing and happy to join the Brazilian team known as Selecao.
However, Diniz said he had left Paqueta out of the Brazilian football team as he is facing an investigation by the English Football Association for possible violations of sports regulations.
He added the doors of the ‘Selecao’ will be open for Paqueta as soon as he is cleared of charges against him.
