The Maracanã

The Brazilian football Confederation has finally announced that tickets for the Brazil x England game at the Maracanã on June 2^nd will be available from next Wednesday (22^nd May) from futebolcard.com (maximum two per person). Three days later, the tickets will go on sale in Rio de Janeiro at the following locations: Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, Gávea; Fluminense, Laranjeiras; the estádio Engenhão; the estádio Caio Martins, in Niterói; General Severiano, in Botafogo.
Prices vary from R$90 (£29) to R$300 (£97).

See the Brazil squad vs England here

Ronaldinho (right) will be sitting out the Confederations Cup

Info on Brazil x England tickets here 

Luis Felipe Scolari has announced his 23 man squad for the Confederations Cup, which kicks off when Brazil take on Japan in Brasília 15^th June. Before then, the seleção will play friendlies against England in Rio June 2^nd and France in Porto Alegre 9^th June. The biggest surprise is that the in-form Ronaldinho is not on the list. Chelsea’s Ramires is also out.

Brazil’s second fixture in the Confederations Cup sees them face Mexico in Fortaleza 19^th June. The host’s final group phase match is against Italy in Salvador 22^nd June.

Brazil squad in full:

Keepers: Julio César (QPR), Jefferson (Botafogo), Diego Cavalieri (Fluminense)
Wingback: Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Jean (Fluminense), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Filipe Luis (Atlético Madrid)
Centrebacks: Thiago Silva (PSG), Réver (Atlético-MG), David Luiz (Chelsea), Dante (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: Fernando (Grêmio), Hernanes (Lazio), Luiz Gustavo (Bayern Munich), Paulinho (Corinthians), Jadson (São Paulo), Oscar (Chelsea), Lucas Moura (PSG)
Forwards: Hulk (Zenit), Bernard (Atlético-MG), Leandro Damião (Internacional), Fred (Fluminense), Neymar (Santos)

Ronaldinho (centre)

Brazil take on Chile in a friendly in the estádio Mineirão on Wednesday evening. The fixture is part of the Seleção’s build-up to the Confederations Cup, which gets underway in June. Unusually, Luiz Felipe Scolari did not divulge his starting line-up, though he did confirm Ronaldinho as captain.  Scolari is expected to name his squad for the Confederations Cup on May 14th, so this will be the last chance for Felipão to experiment with his players before  the final call-up.
Brazil and Chile have met 65 times with the Seleção coming out on top in 45 games compared to Chile’s 7 victories.  The last time Chile beat Brazil was a 3-0 win in 2000 in Santiago for the World Cup qualifiers.

See the Brazil squad in full here

Brazil (possible): Diego Cavalieri, Jean, Dedé, Réver, André Santos; Fernando, Paulinho, Jadson, Ronaldinho Gaúcho, Neymar, Leandro Damião (Alexandre Pato)
Coach: Luiz Felipe Scolari
Chile (possible): Johnny Herrera, Rojas, Marcos González, Toselli, Acevedo, Reyes, Mena, Cristián Álvarez, Andrés Robles, Eduardo Vargas, César Cortés
Coach: Jorge Sampaoli
Date: 24 April 2013
Kick-off: 22:00 Brasília, 02:00 London
Venue: estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Officials:  Enrique Cáceres, Carlos Cáceres, Dario Gaona (All Paraguay)

Neymar

Brazil x Chile: probable starting line-ups here

Brazil have announced their 18-man squad to face Chile in a friendly in the estádio Mineirão 24^th April. Once again Luiz Felipe Scolari has called up only Brazil based players for the fixture.
Goalkeepers: Jefferson (Botafogo), Diego Cavalieri (Fluminense)
Wingbacks: Marcos Rocha (Atlético-MG), André Santos (Grêmio)
Centrebacks: Dedé (Vasco), Henrique (Palmeiras), Réver (Atlético-MG)
Midfielders: Paulinho (Corinthians), Ralf (Corinthians), Fernando (Grêmio), Jean (Fluminense), Jadson (São Paulo), Ronaldinho Gaúcho (Atlético-MG)
Forwards: Alexandre Pato (Corinthians), Leandro Moura (Palmeiras), Neymar (Santos), Leandro Damião (Internacional), Osvaldo (São Paulo)

Ronaldinho (lefr) and Dedé with fan

Brazil take on Bolivia in a friendly on Saturday in the Ramón Tahuichi Aguilera in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Luz Felipe Scolari has called up only Brazil based players for this hastily arranged fixture; the proceeds of which will go to the family of Kevin Beltran who died in February during the match between San José and Corinthians in the Libertadores.
Though Scolari’s choice of players was restricted, he has still come under criticism for calling up four Brazil Under-20 players who are unlikely to feature in the senior side’s upcoming games. One is goalkeeper, Matheus Vidotto, who has yet to appear for Corinthians first team. Scolari also raised eyebrows after calling up two left backs (André Santos and Douglas Santos) but no right back. Midfielder Jean may start in this position.
Scolari has lost one and drawn two in his return as coach of the seleção. Defeat to Bolivia will set the alarm bells ringing.
See the Brazil squad in full here
Bolivia (possible): Sergio Galarza, Diego Bejarano, Marvin Bejarano, Rony Jiménez, Jair Torrico, Ronald García, Alejandro Meleán, Danny Bejarano, Alejandro Chumacero, Edivaldo Rojas, Marcelo Moreno
Coach: Xabier Azkargorta
Brazil (possible): Jefferson; Jean, Dedé, Réver, André Santos, Ralf, Paulinho, Jadson, Ronaldinho Gaúcho, Neymar, Leandro Damião (Alexandre Pato)
Coach: Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Date: 6 April 2013
Kick-off: 16:30 (Brasília) 12:30 (London)
Venue: Estádio Ramón Tahuichi Aguilera, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolívia
Officials: Patrício Loustau, Ernesto Uziga, Ezequiel Brailovscky (all Argentina)

Corinthians Alexandre Pato

See the Brazil x Bolivia probable starting line-ups here

Luiz Felipe Scolari has named his squad to face Bolivia in Santa Cruz de La Sierra in the Estádio Ramon “Taihuichi” Aguilera 6^th April. The coach has called up only Brazil based players for the fixture that was arranged following the death of San José fan Kevin Espada during the game against Corinthians in the Libertadores in February. The squad features four players from Brazil’s Under-20 squad (Matheus Vidotto, Douglas Santos, Dória, Leandro Moura). Brazil will meet up on Friday and fly to Bolivia in the evening. Shortly after the match the seleção will return to Brazil and the players will be available to play for their clubs in the state championships.
In his three games back in charge, Scolari has yet to win. Defeat in Bolivia and the pressure will be on the coach who won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002.
Goalkeepers: Mateus Vidotto (Corinthians), Jefferson (Botafogo)
Wingbacks: Douglas Santos (Náutico), André Santos (Grêmio)
Centre-backs: Rever (Atlético-MG), Dória (Botafogo), Dedé (Vasco)
Midfielders: Jean (Fluminense), Arouca (Santos) [injured], Ralf (Corinthians), Paulinho (Corinthians), Jadson (São Paulo)
Forwards: Neymar (Santos), Ronaldinho (Atlético-MG), Alexandre Pato (Corinthians), Leandro Damião (Internacional), Osvaldo (São Paulo), Leandro Moura (Palmeiras)

Felipão leds the way as Kaká looks on

Brazil take on Russia at Stamford Bridge on Monday with Luiz Felipe Scolari hoping for his first win since returning to take charge of the seleção. Felipão lost his opener 2-1 to England, and last week had to settle for a 2-2 draw with Italy. For the game against Russia, the coach is expected to bring in Thiago Silva, Marcelo and Kaká as Dante, Filipe Luís and Hulk make way. With Chelsea’s David Luiz and Oscar in the starting line-up, there is certain to be lots of support for Brazil. Ramires, though, will miss out through injury.

See the Brazil squad in full here

Brazil (probable): Julio César, Daniel Alves, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Marcelo, Fernando, Hernanes, Oscar, Kaká, Neymar, Fred
Coach: Luiz Felipe Scolari
Russia (possible): Akinfeyev, Anyukov (Yeshchenko), Ignashevich, Berezutsky, Kombarov, Shirokov, Denisov, Samedov (Bystrov), Faizulin, Kerzhakov, Kokorin
Coach: Fabio Capello
Date: 25 March 2013
Kick-off:  19:30 (London) 16:30 (Brasília)
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London

Neymar (centre) trainignn with Brazil

Brazil take on Italy in Geneva on Thursday. Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side are expected to start with a flat back four and three up front. Chelsea’s Oscar will shoulder the creative responsibility in midfield. Kaká is on the bench. Corinthians much-coveted midfielder, Paulinho, PSG player Lucas Moura, and Vasco’s Dedé, are all injured and have withdrawn from the squad. Chelsea’s Ramires has picked up a knock but may be fit for the game against Russia on Monday at Stamford Bridge.
This is Felipão’s second game in charge on his return to the seleção and follows the 2-1 loss to England at Wembley. Italy have not beaten Brazil since the World Cup of 1982.
See the Brazil squad in full here
Brazil (probable): Julio César, Daniel Alves, Dante (Thiago Silva), David Luiz, Filipe Luís, Fernando, Hernanes, Oscar, Hulk, Neymar, Fred
Coach: Luiz Felipe Scolari
Italy (possible): Buffon; Maggio, Barzagli, Bonucci, De Sciglio;  DeRossi, Pirlo, Marchisio, Montolivo, Balotelli, El Shaarawy
Coach: Cesare Prandelli
Date: 21 March 2013
Kick-off: 16:30 Brasília 19:30 London
Venue: Geneva stadium (30,000 capacity), Switzerland
Official: Stephan Studer (Switzerland)

Brazil x Italy: probable starting line-ups

Luiz Felipe Scolari has named his squad to face Italy in Geneva on March 21st and Russia four days later at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge.
Scolari promised changes after losing his first game back in charge of Brazil versus England in February. Kaká returns but there is no place for Ronaldinho, Luis Fabiano, Leandro Castán, Miranda, Diego Alves or Arouca. Dedé (Vasco), Diego Cavalieri (Fluminense), Fernando (Grêmio), Luiz Gustavo (Bayern Munich), Thiago Silva (PSG) and Marcelo (Real Madrid) are the replacements. Diego Costa of Atlético Madrid gets his first call up. Chelsea’s David Luiz, Oscar and Ramires are also included as well as QPR’s Júlio César.
Goalkeepers: Diego Cavalieri (Fluminense), Julio César (Queens Park Rangers)
Wingbacks: Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Filipe Luiz (Atlético Madrid)
Defenders: Dedé (Vasco) [injured], Dante (Bayern Munique), David Luiz (Chelsea), Thiago Silva (PSG)
Midfielders: Hernanes (Lazio), Fernando (Grêmio), Kaká (Real Madrid), Lucas Moura (PSG) [injured - replaced by Osvaldo (São Paulo)], Luiz Gustavo (Bayern Munich), Oscar (Chelsea), Paulinho [injured] (Corinthians), Ramires (Chelsea), Jean (Fluminense)
Forwards: Neymar (Santos), Fred (Fluminense), Hulk (Zenit), Diego Costa (Atlético Madrid)

Felipão alongside Ronaldinho

On Wednesday, Luiz Felipe Scolari takes charge of Brazil for the first time since winning the World Cup with the South Americans in 2002. Felipão named his starting eleven on Tuesday and included Chelsea’s David Luiz, Ramires and Oscar. QPR’s Júlio César gets a recall in goal. Ronaldinho also starts in midfield and Bayern Munich centreback Dante wins his first cap.
See the Brazil squad in full here
England (possible): Hart, Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka, Ashley Cole, Milner, Cleverley, Gerrard, Wilshere, Rooney, Walcott
Brazil (probable): Júlio César, Daniel Alves, David Luiz, Dante, Adriano, Ramires, Paulinho, Ronaldinho Gaúcho, Oscar, Neymar, Luis Fabiano
Venue: Wembley stadium
Date: 6 February 2013
Kick-off: 19:30 (London), 17:30 (Brasília)
Official: Pedro Proença (Portugal)