Thiago and Rayan receive first Brazil call-ups

Igor Thiago and Rayan have impressed for Brentford and Bournemouth this season Brentford striker Igor Thiago and Bournemouth winger Rayan have received first call-ups to the Brazil squad for their friendlies with France and Croatia later this month. Thiago is the second-highest scorer in the Premier League season with 19, trailing only Manchester City's Erling Haaland with 22, with his goals powering Brentford to seventh place in the table. The 24-year-old joined the West London side for a club-record fee of £30m in July 2024 from Club Brugge, but failed to score in his first season with the club as injury restricted him to eight appearances. Rayan, 19, joined Bournemouth in January for £24.7m from Vasco de Gama and has scored two Premier League goals. Brazil face France on 26 March in Boston before playing Croatia in Orlando on 31 March, with the fixtures their last matches before Ancelotti names his World Cup selection. Former Norwich attacker Gabriel Sara has also been selected for the first time, but the party is missing legendary forward Neymar, who is not fit. "I haven't called him up because he's not 100 per cent," coach Carlo Ancelotti said of the 34-year-old, who has not played for his national side since October 2023. "But for the final [World Cup] squad, that's another story." Sara, 26, left Championship Norwich for Galatasaray in July 2024 and won the Turkish Super League in his first season with the club. Flamengo centre-back Leo Pereira, 30, is the fourth new name in the line-up, while striker Endrick has been recalled after making the last of his 14 international appearances a year ago. The 19-year-old joined Lyon on loan from Real Madrid for the second half of this season, and scored a hat-trick against Metz in his second appearance for the club. Five-time winners Brazil start their World Cup campaign against Morocco in New Jersey on 13 June, and will also face Haiti and Scotland in Group C. Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al-Nassr), Ederson (Fenerbahce) Defenders: Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit Saint-Petersburg), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Marquinhos (Paris St-Germain), Wesley (Roma) Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Chelsea), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo) Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Gabriel Sara (Galarasaray) Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Joao Pedro (Chelsea), Luiz Henrique (Zenit Saint-Petersburg), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid) Rejections, depression & promise to his mum - Thiago's route to top Coutinho advice & Adriano comparison - Bournemouth's new Brazilian teen Brazil's undisputed star? Neymar's World Cup race against time How Chelsea signed a star team with hidden payments Spirited Wolves come from two goals down to draw at Brentford Gavaskar criticises Sunrisers' Abrar signing Oscar-winning Storyville about a Russian teacher's quiet defiance Follow Greg’s 1,000km endurance tandem cycle for Red Nose Day Your weekly dose of fringe‑powered joy Kick off the week with the latest Premier League review How Chelsea signed a star team with hidden payments From Bodo to Brentford - ranking this season's biggest overachievers 'Haaland of rugby' - how Bielle-Biarrey has stormed stage Who makes BBC pundits' Six Nations team of the tournament? Video Who makes BBC pundits' Six Nations team of the tournament? Another compelling Players - but why is it unlikely to ever be a major? Six talking points from final round of Six Nations Norrie replaces Draper as British number one - but for how long? Spurs answer Tudor's call with show of fight in the face of crisis 'Best racing ever' or 'a joke'? The row over the new F1 Aberg & Fitzpatrick falter as Young becomes Players champion. Video Aberg & Fitzpatrick falter as Young becomes Players champion Have Old Firm wrestled title momentum away from Hearts? A finale worthy of the greatest Six Nations in history Why GB are 'positive' despite just one medal at Winter Paralympics What next for Dowman - how do you look after a precious talent? Should the Winter Paralympics be moved? Gordon hits back at 'complete nonsense' from Rooney and Shearer Brentford, the World Cup and an itch to return to Gaelic football Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.