Brazil possible lineup against Costa Rica in the 2024 Copa América

Brazil begin their 2024 Copa América campaign against Costa Rica at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on Monday, with all-time leading goalscoring Neymar the most high-profile absentee from their roster.

Why isn’t Neymar playing for Brazil at the 2024 Copa América?

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain attacker, now playing for Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, tore his ACL while playing for the national team in a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October, with the tournament in the United States coming a little too soon for his return.

Former Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro was omitted from the 26-man squad by new coach Dorival Júnior after a disappointing season with Manchester United, while fellow Premier League stars Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus were also left out.

Brazil out to make amends at Copa América

Brazil have made a poor start to World Cup qualification, losing thee matches in a row (to Uruguay, Colombia and Argentina) after opening up with seven points from the first nine available. As a result, there will be even more pressure on them to deliver at the Copa América, which they last won in 2019.

In the most recent tournament, they lost in the final to Argentina in Rio de Janeiro, suffering the embarrassment of watching their bitter rivals celebrate with the trophy in front of them in their own back yard.

As well as Costa Rica, the Seleção will also face Colombia and Paraguay in Group D, with the top two teams qualifying for the quarter-finals.

As ever, Brazil will be expected to win all three of their matches, starting with their opener against Costa Rica, who qualified for the Copa América via a play-in.

Few surprises expected to Brazil starting lineup

Dorival Júnior is expected to send his team out in a 4-3-3 formation. Few surprises are expected in the starting lineup, which should feature the most experienced players on the roster. 15 players in the squad go into the tournament with 10 caps or fewer.

That means Liverpool’s Alisson Becker will start in goal, with captain Danilo, Marquinhos and the fit-again Eder Militão ahead of him. They should be joined by Porto defender left-back Wendell, who has only three caps to his name.

Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz looks set to be selected in midfield ahead of Joao Gomes, who started in the recent friendly against the USMNT, with Bruno Guimarães and Lucas Paquetá alongside him.

Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior will start to the left of club teammate Rodrygo in attack, with Barcelona’s Raphinha expected to line up on the right.

Possible Brazil XI against Costa Rica

Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Eder Militao, Wendell; Bruno Guimaraes, Douglas Luiz, Lucas Paqueta; Raphinha, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr.

17-year-old striker Endrick, who will join Madrid in July, will be one of Dorival Júnior’s main attacking options on the bench.

After their first game against Costa Rica, Brazil will then take on Paraguay at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on 28 June, before facing Colombia at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on 2 July.