Fernando Diniz led his first training session as coach of the national team this Tuesday (5). On the lawn of Mangueirão, in Belém, the coach had almost the entire group available to start work in preparation for the debut, next Friday (8), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), right there in the stadium, against Bolivia, for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
The exception was on account of Gabriel Jesus. The attacker was summoned at the last minute by the coach and lands on Tuesday night. He will be the last to arrive, after being called to replace Antony, who was cut by Diniz.
The press had access to just 30 minutes of the activity, and it was enough to see that Neymar is fully recovered from muscle injuries that threatened his call-up. Recovered from muscle injuries in his right thigh, the number 10 appeared on the pitch with a bandage on his right hand. Nothing that prevented him from training normally alongside the other 21 teammates who are already in Belém.
Neymar has not played in an official match since February, when he was still defending PSG. His muscle injuries even led to a controversial statement by Jorge Jesus, coach of Al-Hilal, who said that the athlete would not even be able to be on the field for the national team.
https://twitter.com/eduardodeconto/status/1699170155161383284Diniz gets excited about Neymar
But Fernando Diniz’s opinion is quite different. Trivela found that the coach is very excited about what Neymar can deliver for the national team, even after so long out of action. The report is that the player arrived “flying”. During the few minutes of training, it was possible to follow only two works in a reduced field. The attacker actively participated in the activities and seemed excited about living with his teammates.
The coach has had direct contact with Neymar since he took over the national team. Much of his return in the first call-up after the 2026 World Cup is due to the relationship and presence of Diniz. The tendency is for him to be a starter. If not, against Bolivia, certainly against Peru, in Lima.
Goalkeepers work with their feet
After a first warm-up period, Diniz divided his two assistants, Eduardo Barros and Wagner Bertelli, to run separate jobs on a reduced field. There, the goalkeepers participated in the activity alongside the other defenders, now to practice the game with their feet. This is one of the pillars of the coach’s style of play, who likes his teams to play low.
Including the trivela found that Corinthians goalkeeper Marcelo Carpes was called by the coach precisely because of his work with Cássio in this regard. The assessment is that the goalkeeper has evolved a lot since the arrival of the professional.
Those summoned by Fernando Diniz:
- Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Lucas Perri (Botafogo) and Ederson (Manchester City);
- Sides: Danilo (Juventus), Vanderson (Monaco), Caio Henrique (Monaco) and Renan Lodi (Marseille);
- Defenders: Ibañez (Al-Ahli), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Marquinhos (PSG) and Nino (Fluminense);
- Midfielders: André (Fluminense), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Joelinton (Newcastle) and Raphael Veiga (Palmeiras);
- Attackers: Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton), Neymar (Al-Hilal), Richarlison (Tottenham), Rodrygo (Real Madrid) and Raphinha (Barcelona).
Selection schedule in Belém
- Tuesday
17:30: Training at Mangueirão Stadium
7:30 pm to 8:00 pm: Press conference - Wednesday
17:30: Training at the Mangueirão Stadium
7:30 pm to 8:00 pm: Press conference - Thursday
17:30: Official training session at Estádio Mangueirão
7:30 pm to 8:00 pm: Press conference - Friday
21:30: Brazil vs Bolivia – 1st round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
When will Diniz make his debut for the Brazilian national team?
Fernando Diniz debuts as coach of the Selection in the duel with Bolivia, on the 8th, at 9:45 pm (Brasília time), in Mangueirão, for the first round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. Then, on the 12th, at 11 pm ( Brasilia time), Brazil faces Peru, at the National Stadium, in Lima.
The coaching staff and players will arrive in Belém starting next Monday (4). Diniz will have three training sessions with the athletes before the first match – all of them at Estádio Mangueirão. From Pará, the team leaves for Lima on Saturday, with two more training sessions scheduled before the duel with Peru.