Brazil’s women will open next year’s World Cup at the Maracanã, and Arthur Elias is already shaping the final stretch of the journey. The coach has selected 28 players for October’s two home friendlies against Argentina, with Porto Alegre and Recife providing the next stops in a calendar that will also take the team to Japan before the end of 2026.
Argentina will meet Brazil at Beira-Rio on 10 October, before the sides travel north for a second match at Arena Pernambuco in Recife on 13 October. Elias chose a larger-than-usual group as he weighs club form, international experience and the likely picture nine months ahead, when the World Cup begins.
“The criteria remain broadly the same,” Elias said. “There is what players have earned at club level, where we want them playing more minutes and having greater influence, what they have delivered during the national-team process, their prospects for the World Cup in nine months and their current point in the season.”
The selection was announced immediately after the Brazilian Women’s Serie A1 semi-finals. Brazil performance analyst Cristian Lizana watched São Paulo secure their final place at Brinco de Ouro on Saturday, while Elias returned to Brazil that day from visits to clubs abroad. He was then at Neo Química Arena on Monday to see Corinthians book their own place in the final.
Brazil squad for the Argentina matches
- Goalkeepers: Lorena (Kansas City), Yanne (Bahia), Thaís Lima (Benfica) and Carlinha (São Paulo).
- Defenders: Thais Ferreira (Corinthians), Isa Haas (América-MEX), Tarciane (Lyon), Mariza (Tigres-MEX) and Tayla (São Paulo).
- Full-backs: Bela (PSG), Raissa Bahia (Palmeiras), Bruninha (Gotham) and Tamara Bolt (Washington Spirit).
- Midfielders: Duda Sampaio (Corinthians), Angelina (Orlando Pride), Jaque (Corinthians), Kaylane (Flamengo) and Clarinha (Benfica).
- Forwards: Kerolin (Barcelona), Priscila (América-MEX), Gio Garbelini (Atlético de Madrid), Bia Zaneratto (Palmeiras), Maranhão (Palmeiras), Geyse (América-MEX), Jhonson (Corinthians), Maiara (Angel City), Marília (Cruzeiro) and Luany (Atlético de Madrid).
October represents Brazil’s penultimate FIFA window of 2026. In November, the squad will cross to Japan for two fixtures against the hosts: Hiroshima’s Edion Peace Wing Stadium stages the first on 29 November, with the return match set for JFE Harenokuni Stadium in Okayama on 5 December.
There will then be two more international windows before the World Cup. Brazil can play up to three friendlies between 26 February and 6 March, followed by another possible three matches in the 13-24 April period.
Brazil last played in June, sharing a pair of matches with the United States. Elias’s side beat the Americans 2-1 at Neo Química Arena in São Paulo, then lost 1-0 at Arena Castelão in Fortaleza. The October meetings with Argentina offer the next opportunity to measure a squad drawn from Brazil, Europe, Mexico and the United States as the Maracanã opening moves closer.
