Arthur Elias names 26 players to close 2026 against Japan: Giseli earns a first call-up and Marta is left out again

Arthur Elias announced on Tuesday, at the CBF headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, the Brazil women's national team's final squad of 2026: 26 players for the friendlies against Japan on Sunday, November 29 in Hiroshima and Saturday, December 5 in Okayama. They are Brazil's last two matches before the year of the World Cup, which they host from June 24, 2027.

One debutant and three returns

The only new face in the senior side is Giseli, a Grêmio forward and a regular in Brazil's under-20s. Midfielder Ary Borges (Angel City), who according to Agência Brasil recently became a mother, also returns, as do forwards Adriana (Al-Qadsiah, of Saudi Arabia) and Amanda Gutierres (Boston). VAVEL Brasil counts nine changes from the previous list: besides those four, goalkeepers Natascha and Lelê, defender Lauren, full-back Aline Gomes and midfielder Yaya.

No Marta, no Kerolin

Marta, 40, the Orlando Pride star, is left out for the second squad in a row. Elias, however, still counts on her for the World Cup: "Marta is fully in the plans for the preparation and to be at the World Cup," he said at the press conference, as reported by Agência Brasil. The other major absentee is Kerolin, who suffered a foot injury on Sunday, November 8 in a Spanish league match. "Of course Kerolin is missed, like other players who did not come because of injury," the coach acknowledged, insisting that this is a time to assess players rather than build the team around any single one.

The full squad

• Goalkeepers: Lorena (Kansas City Current), Natascha (Palmeiras) and Lelê (Corinthians).
• Centre-backs: Thaís Ferreira (Corinthians), Isa Haas (Club América), Tarciane (Lyon), Mariza (Tigres), Lauren (Atlético de Madrid) and Tayla (São Paulo).
• Full-backs: Isabela (PSG), Raissa Bahia (Palmeiras) and Aline Gomes (Pachuca).
• Midfielders: Duda Sampaio (Corinthians), Angelina (Orlando Pride), Ary Borges (Angel City), Kaylane (Flamengo) and Yaya (PSG).
• Forwards: Marília (Cruzeiro), Priscila (Club América), Gio Garbelini (Atlético de Madrid), Geyse (Club América), Luany (Atlético de Madrid), Bia Zaneratto (Palmeiras), Adriana (Al-Qadsiah), Amanda Gutierres (Boston Legacy) and Giseli (Grêmio).

Ten of the 26 play in Brazil, five in Liga MX Femenil and three at Atlético de Madrid (Lauren, Gio Garbelini and Luany), the best-represented Liga F club.

Japan, a serious test

Brazil arrive from October's double-header against Argentina, a 3-1 win at Porto Alegre's Beira-Rio and a 2-2 draw at the Arena de Pernambuco. Waiting for them is a side that has won seven of its last eight matches, as Agência Brasil noted. Japan sit fifth in the FIFA ranking and Brazil seventh, according to the June update cited by the Japanese federation. The head-to-head is level: 17 matches, seven wins each and three draws. Brazil won the last two meetings, 3-1 and 2-1, in May and June 2025, while Japan had won 2-1 in the group stage of the Paris 2024 Olympics.

"They will be two very important games for us, because of the history and because of the players Japan have," the coach said, explaining that he will try to give minutes to several players without giving up on the goal of ending the year well.

The kick-off times, published by the Japanese federation, are not kind to South America: the Hiroshima match, at the Edion Peace Wing, starts at 13:55 local time (1:55 a.m. in Argentina and Brazil), and the Okayama game, at the JFE Harenokuni Stadium, at 15:00 (3:00 a.m.).

Sources: Agência Brasil, VAVEL Brasil, Super Rádio Tupi, 365Scores, JFA.