Brentford striker Igor Thiago has received his first call-up to the Brazil squad for friendlies against France and Croatia later this month.
Bournemouth winger Rayan also received his first call-up.
Thiago’s Journey to the Brazil Squad
Thiago is the second-highest scorer in the Premier League season with 19 goals. Only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, with 22, has scored more.
Thiago’s goals have helped power Brentford to seventh place in the table.
The 24-year-old joined Brentford for a club-record fee of £30m in July 2024 from Club Brugge. He failed to score in his first season with the club, as injury restricted him to eight appearances.
Brentford head coach Keith Andrews spoke after Monday’s 2-2 draw with Wolves, in which Thiago scored. Andrews said he was “really proud” of what Thiago has done to get to this point.
“He’s been here for nearly two years and I’ve seen that journey closely and I know about his overall journey to get to Europe and the Premier League,” Andrews said.
Andrews added: “Everybody has played a little part in this. We should all be very proud of Thiago’s dream coming true.”
It has been a dream and a huge ambition for him. When he pulls on that iconic jersey it will be a special moment for Thiago and his family and we will feel a sense of pride.”
Brazil’s Upcoming Friendlies and Squad Selection
Brazil face France on 26 March in Boston before playing Croatia in Orlando on 31 March. The fixtures are their last matches before Ancelotti names his World Cup selection.
Former Norwich attacker Gabriel Sara has also been selected for the first time. Neymar is missing from the squad because he is not fit.
“I haven’t called him up because he’s not 100 per cent,” coach Carlo Ancelotti said of the 34-year-old, who has not played for his national side since October 2023.
“But for the final [World Cup] squad, that’s another story.”
Flamengo centre-back Leo Pereira, 30, is the fourth new name in the line-up. Striker Endrick has been recalled after making the last of his 14 international appearances a year ago.
Rayan, 19, joined Bournemouth in January for £24.7m from Vasco de Gama and has scored two Premier League goals.
Sara, 26, left Championship Norwich for Galatasaray in July 2024 and won the Turkish Super League in his first season with the club.
- Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al-Nassr), Ederson (Fenerbahce)
- Defenders: Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit Saint-Petersburg), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Marquinhos (Paris St-Germain), Wesley (Roma)
- Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Chelsea), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo) Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Gabriel Sara (Galarasaray)
Five-time winners Brazil start their World Cup campaign against Morocco in New Jersey on 13 June, and will also face Haiti and Scotland in Group C.