![October 7, 2021. Venezuela 1 (Ramirez 11') Brazil 3 (Marquinhos 71', Barbosa pen 85', Antony 90 + 5'): Three second-half goals saw Brazil recover from a goal down and maintain their 100 per cent record, extending their lead at the top of qualifying to eight points. "It was a complicated match, we started well below [the level] we are accustomed to," Marquinhos said. "It's hard to get a result but results are what count." Reuters](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/P6BLUIOW2N34RREVI2WJQ4PQDY.jpg?smart=true&auth=89b2608581549ad39b781b6869823a23ebaeb9bbf32a8fc2e4f8f13c7acd1251&width=800&height=546)
![November 11, 2021. Brazil 1 (Paqueta 72') Colombia 0: Three points for Brazil saw them become the first South American team to qualify for Qatar. The game also marked their 10th consecutive home qualifier without conceding a goal. “I cried of happiness [after scoring] because of this moment I am living at the national team and at my club Lyon. This came from a lot of joy, joy for this work well done," Lucas Paqueta said.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GSL7VTILZNB4247EOH66T3MB3Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=b8f5ab48ceb7a7dcda4ef87c51790c35e461461775bc87b783159cf2425e338a&width=800&height=533)
![Tuesday, March 29, 2022. Bolivia 0 Brazil 4 (Paqueta 24', Richarlison 45', 90'+1', Guimaraes 66'): A superb performance from Brazil meant Tite's team reached 45 points, a new World Cup qualifying record. "Yes, [the team exceeded] any expectations I could have on the performance, in both qualitative and quantitative terms," Tite said. AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2HYJW3FKSIK4CS363ZVLWPD74A.jpg?smart=true&auth=e705cf1406a5fee3121be04e6586bd71628ff5b78882727e99df56ef5754d78f&width=800&height=533)
Brazil have included nine forwards in their 26-man squad for the World Cup in Qatar that starts this month.
The five-time winners have included 12 players from the English Premier League in the squad ahead of their Group G matches against Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon.
Manager Tito read out his selection at the Brazilian football confederation headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, narrowing down his list from a group of 55 players.
Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar, 30, will be spearheading Brazil's attack in a list that features a host of young talent including Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal and Manchester United's Antony.
Tottenham’s Richarlison, Rodrygo of Real Madrid and Barcelona's Raphinha are also part of the enviable options at Tite’s disposal for the tournament that kicks off on November 20. Striker Gabriel Jesus also makes the cut despite having gone eight games without a goal for Arsenal.
Dani Alves, the 39-year-old former Barcelona right-back, was included in the list – which features eight defenders and six midfielders – as well as Chelsea’s 38-year-old Thiago Silva.
Manchester United midfielders Casemiro and Fred will be hoping to earn starting roles, with competition from Liverpool’s Fabinho, Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United and West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta.
There was no place for Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino, with the 31-year-old having not featured for his country since the Copa America final in July 2021, or Arsenal defender Gabriel.
The squad will gather on November 14 at Juventus' training facilities in Turin, where Brazil will hold a five-day training camp before flying to Doha five days later.
Brazil open their World Cup campaign against Serbia on November 24. They then face Switzerland on November 28 before taking on Cameroon on December 2.
