Rio de Janeiro (EFE).- The forwards Marta, six times chosen as the best soccer player in the world by FIFA, and Debinha, third highest scorer for Canarinha, were included in the list of 23 called up by Brazil for the Women’s World Cup will play from July 20 in Australia and New Zealand.
The list announced by the Brazilian coach, the Swedish Pia Sundhage, two-time Olympic champion, at a crowded press conference at the headquarters of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).
Both Debinha (Kansas City Current/USA) and Marta (Orlando Pride/USA) return to the national team after missing the last calls due to injury.
Both are among the top three scorers in Brazil: Marta, with 119 goals, the absent Cristiane (83) and Debinha (57).
The squad list includes three players who play for the Spanish Madrid CFF. Defensemen Lauren and Mônica Hickman, as well as forward Gabi Nunes.
Defenders Antônia (Levante) and Kathellen (Real Madrid) and striker Geyse (Barcelona) were also called up from the Spanish league.
“We tested 90 players in recent months and I am very encouraged because almost half of those called up have never played in a World Cup and they are new players who will gain a lot of experience,” said Sundhage, highlighting the extensive renewal of the team.
The coach stated that Marta, with 17 goals in 19 World Cup matches, will be the great benchmark for the youth teams.
Absences in the call of Brazil
Notably absent from the list, both due to injury, are attacker Ludmila, a player for Atlético de Madrid, and goalkeeper Lorena, from Gremio.
Angelina, who has been recovering from a ligament injury for eleven months, aspired to play her last World Cup but was only included in a list of three players who could be called up at the last minute in case of injury.
The players will play a friendly against Chile on Sunday in which they will say goodbye to the Brazilian fans before traveling to Brisbane (Australia) on Monday.
Part of the team has been preparing for the World Cup since June 19 at the high-performance training center that Canarinha has in the city of Teresópolis.
In the World Cup, Brazil was drawn in Group F along with France, Jamaica and Panama.
Despite being considered one of the favorites and having some of the most renowned soccer players in the world, the Brazilian women’s team has not won any relevant international title so far, and the goal of the CBF is to reach at least the semifinals. of the World Cup.
– List of summoned for the Women’s World Cup:
. Porters: Letícia Izidoro (Corinthians), Bárbara (Flamengo) and Camila Rodrigues (Santos).
. Defenders: Antonia (Levante/ESP), Bruninha (Gotham FC/USA), Tamires (Corinthians), Kathellen (Real Madrid/ESP), Lauren (Madrid CFF/ESP), Mônica Hickman (Madrid CFF/ESP) and Rafaelle (Arsenal ).
. Midfielders: Adriana (Orlando Pride/USA), Ary Borges (Racing Louisville/USA), Duda Sampaio (Corinthians), Andressa Alves (Roma/ITA), Luana (Corinthians) and Ana Vitória (Benfica/POR).
Forwards: Bia Zaneratto (Palmeiras), Debinha (Kansas City Current/USA), Geyse (Barcelona/ESP), Kerolin (North Carolina Courage/USA), Nicole (Benfica/POR), Gabi Nunes (Madrid CFF/ESP) and Marta (Orlando Pride/USA).