Brazil Starting XI vs Norway: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup
· Yahoo Sports
Brazil vs Norway: Predicted XI, Lucas Paqueta Doubt and Vinicius Junior Focus Ahead of Norway Test
Brazil are through, but the win over Japan raised a couple of issues that matter before the meeting with Norway. Lucas Paqueta went off at half-time, Casemiro followed before the end, and while there is optimism around the latter, Paqueta looks the bigger concern.
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If Paqueta does not make it, Danilo Santos is expected to come in. That is the obvious adjustment, and probably the only significant one. Carlo Ancelotti is not expected to rip up a side that did enough to reach the knockout rounds, even if the performance against Japan was hardly flawless.
Brazil predicted XI
Alisson should keep his place behind a back four of Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel and Douglas Santos. In midfield, Bruno Guimaraes and Casemiro are set to anchor things, with Danilo Santos likely to step in if Paqueta is ruled out. Further forward, Rayan and Matheus Cunha should support Vinicius Junior.
Predicted Brazil XI: Alisson, Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Douglas Santos, Guimaraes, Casemiro, Danilo Santos, Rayan, Cunha, Vini Jr.
Lucas Paqueta and Casemiro concerns
Casemiro was substituted shortly before Gabriel Martinelli scored the late winner against Japan, but the expectation is that he will be fit enough to face Norway. Paqueta is a different case. Brazil are waiting, and that usually tells you enough. When a player comes off at half-time in a knockout match, it is rarely trivial.
Raphinha remains unavailable, so the room for attacking changes is limited. That helps explain why Matheus Cunha is likely to keep his place despite failing to add to his three goals in the tournament before being replaced after 65 minutes last time out.
Vinicius Junior carries Brazil attack
Gabriel Martinelli changed the game with his winner, but he is still expected to start on the bench. The same applies to Endrick, whose substitute appearance against Japan brought little. That leaves Brazil leaning heavily on Vinicius Junior again, and there is no mystery as to why.
The winger has been one of the best players at this World Cup, producing four goals and one assist so far. Against a Norway side built around Erling Haaland, Brazil’s route to control may come from their widest threat. Right now, Vinicius Junior is the one carrying it.
World Cup match details
Brazil face Norway at 9pm BST on Sunday, July 5, 2026. The match will be shown on ITV1.