Brazil’s national team has assembled a formidable squad for the March 2025 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with significant developments both in terms of returning stars and notable absences. Head coach Dorival Junior announced a 23-man roster on March 6, 2025, for the crucial CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying matches against Colombia and Argentina18.
Squad Composition
The initial squad announcement generated considerable excitement with Neymar’s planned return to the national team after a 17-month absence due to injuries. However, subsequent developments have altered the final composition of the squad that will take the field.
Goalkeepers
- Bento (Al Nassr) – With Alisson’s injury against Colombia, Bento is expected to start against Argentina6
- Lucas Perri (Lyon) – Called up as a replacement for Ederson9
- Weverton (Palmeiras) – Third-choice goalkeeper7
Defenders
- Marquinhos (PSG) – Team captain with 95 caps17
- Guilherme Arana (Atletico Mineiro) – Left-back with 11 caps1
- Gabriel (Arsenal) – Center-back with 13 caps, but suspended for Argentina match6
- Murillo (Nottingham Forest) – Uncapped center-back1
- Leo Ortiz (Flamengo) – Uncapped defender1
- Vanderson (Monaco) – Right-back with 4 caps1
- Wesley (Flamengo) – Young defender making his way into the squad1
- Alex Sandro (Flamengo) – Called up as a replacement for Danilo9
Midfielders
- Andre (Wolves) – Defensive midfielder with 10 caps1
- Estevao (Palmeiras) – Young attacking midfielder with 4 caps1
- Gerson (Flamengo) – Midfielder with 11 caps, but injured against Colombia6
- Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle) – Midfielder with 32 caps, suspended for Argentina match6
- Joelinton (Newcastle) – Versatile midfielder with 5 caps1
- João Gomes (Wolves) – Midfielder with limited international experience4
Forwards
- Raphinha (Barcelona) – Winger with 31 caps and 5 goals in qualifying14
- Rodrygo (Real Madrid) – Forward with 31 caps and 3 goals in qualifying14
- Savinho (Manchester City) – Young winger with 11 caps1
- Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid) – Star forward with 37 caps who scored the winner against Colombia110
- Matheus Cunha (Wolves) – Forward with 11 caps1
- João Pedro (Brighton) – Striker with 2 caps1
- Endrick (Real Madrid) – Teenage striker called up to replace the injured Neymar9
Squad Changes
The initially announced squad has undergone several changes due to injuries and suspensions:
- Neymar’s Withdrawal: Initially set to make his return after 17 months, Neymar sustained a muscle injury and had to withdraw from the squad9.
- Goalkeeper Changes: Ederson was replaced by Lucas Perri, while Alisson suffered a head injury against Colombia and is unavailable for the Argentina match69.
- Defensive Adjustments: Danilo was replaced by Alex Sandro due to injury concerns9.
- Suspensions: Gabriel and Bruno Guimarães will miss the Argentina match due to yellow card accumulation6.
- Endrick’s Inclusion: The teenage Real Madrid striker was called up to replace Neymar, offering a glimpse of Brazil’s future9.
Current Form and Standings
Brazil has shown improved form in recent matches after a rocky start to their World Cup qualifying campaign. They currently sit third in the CONMEBOL standings with 21 points from 13 matches, creating an eight-point cushion above seventh place1011.
Recent Results
- Brazil 2-1 Colombia (March 20, 2025) – FIFA World Cup Qualifier2
- Brazil 1-1 Uruguay (November 20, 2024) – FIFA World Cup Qualifier2
- Venezuela 1-1 Brazil (November 14, 2024) – FIFA World Cup Qualifier2
- Brazil 4-0 Peru (October 16, 2024) – FIFA World Cup Qualifier2
- Chile 1-2 Brazil (October 11, 2024) – FIFA World Cup Qualifier2
Upcoming Fixtures
The March international break features two crucial World Cup qualifying matches for Brazil:
- Brazil vs. Colombia (March 21, 2025) – Played at Arena BRB Mane Garrincha, Brazil secured a 2-1 victory52
- Argentina vs. Brazil (March 26, 2025) – To be played at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires52
This Argentina clash represents a significant challenge, as Brazil faces the current World Cup champions and CONMEBOL table leaders. Argentina leads the standings with 28 points and can secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup with just a draw11.
Team Analysis
Strengths
Brazil’s squad boasts exceptional attacking talent, particularly on the wings with Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, and Rodrygo. These players have been in excellent form for their respective clubs and provide the creative spark needed to break down defenses.
The team has shown resilience in recent matches, turning their qualifying campaign around after a difficult start. Their 2-1 victory over Colombia demonstrated their ability to secure crucial results even when not playing at their best10.
Challenges
Despite improved results, Brazil’s performances have been inconsistent. Their play has been characterized by brief moments of individual brilliance interspersed with periods of disorganization. Against Colombia, they started strongly but allowed their momentum to dissipate, a recurring pattern in recent matches10.
The absence of key players like Neymar, Alisson, Bruno Guimarães, and Gabriel for the Argentina match presents significant challenges. Coach Dorival Junior will need to make tactical adjustments to compensate for these losses69.
Historical Context
Brazil’s national team, known as “A Seleção” or “The Canaries,” has a rich history of success in international football. They have won the FIFA World Cup five times (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002) and remain one of the most iconic teams in world football3.
The rivalry with Argentina is one of the most storied in international football, dating back to Brazil’s first international match against Argentina in 1914. This long-standing rivalry adds extra significance to their upcoming clash in Buenos Aires311.
Coach Profile
Dorival Junior took over as Brazil’s head coach in 2024 with a reputation for crisis management. He has succeeded in stabilizing the team’s World Cup qualifying campaign, but questions remain about his ability to transform Brazil into a cohesive unit capable of challenging for major honors10.
Known for his pragmatic approach, Dorival Junior has focused on creating a more balanced team structure while still allowing Brazil’s attacking talents to express themselves. His management will be tested in the high-pressure environment of the Argentina match10.
Player Spotlight: Vinicius Junior
Vinicius Junior has emerged as Brazil’s most important player in the absence of Neymar. The Real Madrid forward scored the decisive goal against Colombia with a deflected shot from distance, highlighting his growing importance to the national team10.
At just 24 years old, Vinicius has already accumulated 37 caps for Brazil and continues to develop as both a scorer and creator. His explosive pace, dribbling ability, and improved finishing make him a constant threat to opposing defenses14.
Squad Statistics
The following table provides detailed statistics for key players in the current Brazil squad:
| Name | Position | Age | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marquinhos | Defender | 30 | 95 | – | PSG |
| Vinicius Junior | Forward | 24 | 37 | 1 | Real Madrid |
| Raphinha | Forward | 28 | 31 | 5 | Barcelona |
| Rodrygo | Forward | 24 | 31 | 3 | Real Madrid |
| Bruno Guimarães | Midfielder | 27 | 32 | – | Newcastle |
| Guilherme Arana | Defender | 27 | 11 | – | Atletico Mineiro |
| Matheus Cunha | Forward | 25 | 11 | – | Wolves |
| Savinho | Forward | 20 | 11 | – | Manchester City |
| Andre | Midfielder | 23 | 10 | – | Wolves |
| Joelinton | Midfielder | 28 | 5 | – | Newcastle |
| Estevao | Midfielder | 17 | 4 | – | Palmeiras |
| Vanderson | Defender | 23 | 4 | – | Monaco |
| João Pedro | Forward | 23 | 2 | – | Brighton |
| Bento | Goalkeeper | 25 | 2 | – | Al Nassr |
Future Outlook
Brazil appears likely to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup, but questions remain about their potential to compete for the title. The integration of young talents like Endrick, Estevao, and Savinho alongside established stars offers hope for the future10.
The upcoming match against Argentina will provide valuable insights into Brazil’s progress under Dorival Junior and their readiness to challenge the world’s elite teams. A positive result would boost confidence and potentially signal a return to form for the five-time world champions11.
FAQ: Brazil’s March 2025 Squad
Q1: Why was Neymar withdrawn from the squad?
A: Neymar was initially included in the squad but had to withdraw due to a muscle injury. This extended his absence from the national team, having not played for Brazil since October 2023 due to previous injuries9.
Q2: Who is captaining Brazil in the March 2025 qualifiers?
A: Marquinhos is serving as Brazil’s captain. The PSG defender has accumulated 95 caps for the national team and is one of the most experienced players in the squad7.
Q3: Which players are suspended for the Argentina match?
A: Gabriel (Arsenal) and Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle) are suspended for the Argentina match due to yellow card accumulation6.
Q4: How is Brazil performing in World Cup qualifying?
A: Brazil currently sits third in the CONMEBOL standings with 21 points from 13 matches. They’ve shown improved form after a difficult start to their qualifying campaign1011.
Q5: Who replaced Neymar in the squad?
A: Teenage Real Madrid striker Endrick was called up to replace Neymar in the squad9.
Q6: When and where is Brazil’s next match?
A: Brazil will face Argentina on March 26, 2025, at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. This follows their 2-1 victory over Colombia on March 2152.
Q7: What is at stake in the Argentina match?
A: The match is crucial for both teams’ World Cup qualifying campaigns. Argentina can secure qualification with just a draw, while Brazil aims to strengthen their position and move closer to securing their place at the 2026 World Cup11.
Q8: Who is Brazil’s head coach?
A: Dorival Junior is Brazil’s head coach. He took over in 2024 with a reputation for crisis management and has succeeded in stabilizing Brazil’s World Cup qualifying campaign10.
Brazil’s journey through the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers continues to be a mix of promise and uncertainty. While the team has shown improvement under Dorival Junior, they are still searching for the cohesion and consistency that characterized their most successful eras. The upcoming clash with Argentina represents not just another chapter in one of football’s greatest rivalries, but a critical test of Brazil’s progress toward reclaiming their place among the world’s elite.
