On Thursday, the Selecao boss will announce the final 23 who will travel to USA in June for the centenary edition of international football's oldest continental competition
Brazil coach Dunga will confirm his 23-man squad for June’s Copa Ameica Centenario on Thursday.
Last week, the Selecao boss named his provisional squad of 40 in an announcement that confirmed the absence of captain Neymar.
The Barcelona star will sit out of the tournament in the USA in order to lead Brazil’s charge for Olympic gold at the Rio Olympics in August.
Chelsea's Willian, Inter MIlan's Miranda, Internacional's Alisson, Atletico Madrid's Filipe Luis and Bayern Munich's Douglas Costa are thought to be on Dunga's shortlist for the remaining two over-age Olympic slots and all were included in the preliminary Copa squad.
The biggest omission was that of Paris Saint-Germain defender David Luiz, who is the second most-capped central defender (13) since Dunga’s July 2014 appointment.
The former Chelsea man has also captained the side twice under Dunga and it was his image that replaced Neymar on the Copa’s official marketing material after it became clear Neymar would not feature at the tournament set to mark the 100th anniversary of the Copa.
Luiz’ PSG team-mate Thiago Silva was also left out after not having made a single Dunga squad since Copa America 2015. It was the first time since September 2009 that both have failed to make a Brazil squad.
There were a number of first-time call-ups under Dunga in an exciting young squad, with Sao Paulo playmaker Ganso among those hoping to take his first international steps under the current boss.
Corinthians’ full-back Fagner, Real Madrid’s Casemiro, PSG’s Lucas Moura Jiangsu Suning’s Alex Teixeira are also hoping to make the final 23 and earn a chance to play for their respective international futures.
11 of the 40 are of Olympic age: Ederson, Fabinho, Marquinhos, Douglas Santos, Rodrigo Caio, Walace, Rafinha, Felipe Anderson, Luan, Gabriel ‘Gabigol’ Barbosa and Gabriel Jesus – most will likely be left out of the final 23 in order to concentrate on the Rio games
Dunga will confirm his final 23 at CBF headquarters in Rio di Janeiro at 11:00 local time on Thursday May 5.
The final 23 must be selected from the provisional 40-man squad, as must any late replacements due to injury.
..... - Goal