Micale to take the reins of Brazil’s football team in Rio

Brazil's under-20s coach Rogerio Micale will handle the host nation's football squad at the Rio Olympics, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on Wednesday.

It had previously been thought likely that former national coach Dunga would oversee the Olympic team, but he was fired after Brazil's shock first round exit from the Copa América.

“A preliminary list of 35 players and the 12 members of the coaching staff is about to be sent to FIFA”, the CBF said on Wednesday. “The final 18-player squad will be revealed on 29 June during a press conference with the coach Rogerio Micale at the CBF headquarters”.

Chief on the player list should be the Barcelona striker Neymar, who was absent from the Copa América after his club side made that a pre-condition of releasing him for the Olympic Games in his homeland.