Neymar in, Paqueta out as Brazil launch World Cup campaign

Still smarting from their elimination by Croatia in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup, five-time champions Brazil will launch their qualifying campaign against Bolivia on 8th September in Belem, in northern Brazil, then play Peru on 12th September in Lima.

It is the first squad announcement for 49-year-old Brazilian Diniz, who took over from Tite in the wake of the Selecao's disappointing run in Qatar.

There had been doubts whether star striker Neymar, 31, would continue with the national team, frustrated over last year's heartbreak and occupied with his newly announced move from Paris Saint-Germain to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.

However, Diniz said he had left Paqueta off his 23-player list after news reports that the West Ham midfielder, who is reportedly negotiating a move to Manchester City, is under investigation by the English Football Association for possible violations of sports-betting regulations.