Fifa 2018: Tite names 23-member Brazil squad, Neymar in, David Luiz out

Chelsea star Willian made it to the list after an impressive year with Chelsea, while his out of favour blues teammate David Luiz misses the bus to Russia after rarely playing this season.

Brazil head coach Tite announced his 23-member provisional squad with injured Neymar making it to the list with Man City’s trio Ederson, Gabriel Jesus and Danilo replacing Dani Alves who was ruled out after picking up a serious knee injury in Paris Saint-Germain's Coupe de France final victory against Les Hebiers.

While Dani Alves will be missed, the news of Neymar making it to the squad is a sign of relief for the Selecaos with the team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar confirming that the PSG star will be fit to play on June 3 in a friendly against Croatia.

Gabriel Jesus being Tite’s favourite will spearhead the Brazil attack, while Roberto Firmino will be second in command. Interestingly, William Jose of Real Sociedad remains unnamed in the 23-member squad despite scoring a goal more than Jesus this season.

Chelsea star Willian made it to the list after an impressive year with Chelsea, while his out of favour blues teammate David Luiz missing the bus to Russia after rarely playing this season. 

Defender Pedro Geromel of Gremio surprisingly made it to the list, while Monaco’s defensive mainstay Jemerson failing to make the cut even after two back to back impressive seasons with Ligue 1 outfit.

On the other hand, Juventus left-back Alex Sandro missed out because of too much firepower on the left in the form of Marcelo and Filipe Luis. Liverpool’s prolific striker Roberto Firmino, ex-Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho and his present teammate Paulinho are some important names the nation will bank on for success in the 2018 World Cup.

30-year-old attacker Taison of Shakhtar Donetsk also made it to the list despite scoring only 1 goal in his 5 international appearances while Oscar, who scored the only goal in Brazil’s 7-1 defeat to Germany missing out the action this time. The five-time World Cup champions were the first team to qualify for Russia and will face Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia in Group E. The Selecaos have two friendlies lined up against Croatia and Austria before starting their World Cup journey against Switzerland on June 17.

Here is the full list of Brazil's 23-member provisional squad:

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Roma), Ederson (Manchester City), Cassio (Corinthians Sao Paulo)

Defenders: Miranda (Inter Milan), Marquinhos, Thiago Silva (both Paris Saint-Germain), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid), Fagner (Corinthians), Pedro Geromel (Gremio), Danilo (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Casemiro (Real Madrid), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Paulinho (FC Barcelona), Renato Augusto (Beijing Guoan), Philippe Coutinho (FC Barcelona), Willian (Chelsea), Fred (Shakhtar Donetsk)

Forwards: Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Douglas Costa (Juventus), Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain), Taison (Shakhtar Donetsk)

The Players who missed out:

GoalKeeper: Neto (Valencia)

Defenders: David Luiz (Chelsea), Dani Alves, Alex Sandro (both Paris Saint-Germain), Jemerson (Monaco)

Midfielders: Fabinho(Monaco), Oscar (Shanghai SIPG FC)

Forwards: Lucas Moura (Paris Saint-Germain), Willian Jose (Real Sociedad), Hulk (Shanghai SIPG FC)