CBF indicate Estêvão out, Neymar in provisional FIFA World Cup list | OneFootball

CBF will send a 55-man provisional World Cup list to FIFA on Monday, with Estêvão expected to miss out through injury. Neymar is set to make the longlist, though a place in the final 26 next week is seen as unlikely, Globo.com reports.

Ancelotti will take the final call on Neymar, but other dilemmas are drawing more focus. With Estêvão sidelined, he is weighing whether to keep a split of five midfielders and nine forwards.

Estevão chose a conservative treatment in Brazil rather than surgery, yet staff do not see enough time for recovery and follow Chelsea’s prognosis. CBF medics do not expect him to be ready even for the knockouts.

Neymar’s inclusion reflects the coach’s habit of naming him in wider squads when available, not a strong hint of selection. He has featured on pre-lists under Ancelotti, but not the final squads.

Flamengo striker Pedro is in contention despite no previous call-up, after Ancelotti voiced interest in November. Andrey Santos’ place is uncertain, tied to the five or six midfielders question, with Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães, Fabinho, Danilo Santos and Lucas Paquetá ahead.

If Andrey drops out, a forward berth could open for Rayan, well rated in March and an option on the right. FIFA requires a 55-player pool of whom only 26 travel, with changes allowed until 11 June. Brazil unveil the squad on Monday 18 at 17:00, then face Morocco on 13 June in New Jersey.

Source: Globo.com