Group chemistry, testing and unity: how the team intends to use their 46-day stay in the United States | Brazilian team

Last Thursday, the Brazilian team began a rare extended period of time together. If they manage to advance to the Copa America final on July 14, the Dorival Jr.-led group will spend 46 days working and living in the United States.

This should be the biggest window of training and games for the Seleção until the 2026 World Cup, therefore, Dorival and his coaching staff are trying to make the most of the time.

The idea is to take advantage of this period to not only bring together the team that is being assembled, but also to observe newcomers or players who have little experience in the national team. Of the 26 called up, 16 have less than 10 games with Hopscotch, including two who were never called up (midfielder Ederson and striker Evanilson).

On his first FIFA date in charge of the Selecao in March, the coach had just seven training sessions ahead of games against England and Spain.

More than taking care of technical and tactical issues, Dorival understands that it is important to create an emotional bond between the athletes and other members of the delegation.

– Let’s call a psychologist to work a little more on the emotional aspects. This longer period will help to work on these issues better. Let’s raise this issue of unity and strengthening human relationships. It’s great – said CBF men’s national team coordinator Rodrigo Caetano.

Most of Brazil’s preparations will be done in Orlando, Florida. Next Thursday, the delegation will travel to Texas, where they will play a friendly against Mexico on June 8. After this, the group returns to Orlando, location of the match against the United States on the 12th. After this commitment, the athletes should have some time off, as their Copa America debut will be against Costa Rica on the 24th in Los Angeles.

– We will have the same training period as the World Cup. We have no doubt that this longer period allows us to establish a base, make a diagnosis and even advance our work. Now, perhaps, is the best time to solidify this work and bring really great expectations for the qualifiers, which will start next – said Rodrigo Caetano.

The national team calendar foresees three more FIFA matches in 2024 and three more matches in 2025 along with qualifiers. After that, there will be four more windows for friendlies leading up to the World Cup.

In the past, there has been talk of the possibility of Brazil and other teams being invited to compete in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2025, but this has not been confirmed to date.

Check out the squad lists for friendly matches and the Copa America:

• Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Athletico-PR) and Rafael (Sao Paulo);
• Party: Danilo (Juventus), Yan Couto (Girona), Guilherme Arana (Atletico-MG) and Wendell (Porto);
• guard: Beraldo (PSG), Bremer (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal) and Marquinhos (PSG);
• Midfielder: Andreas Pereira (Fulham), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Ederson (Atalanta), Joao Gomes (Wolverhampton) and Lucas Paqueta (West Ham);
• Attacker: Andric (Palmeiras), Evanilson (Porto), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Pepe (Porto), Rafinha (Barcelona), Rodrigo (Real Madrid), Savinho (Girona) and Vini Junior (Real Madrid).

* Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson was cut and made way for Rafael from Sao Paulo. Bremer (Juventus), Ederson (Atalanta) and Pepe (Porto) were later called up after CONMEBOL expanded the list of called-up players from 23 to 26.