Brazil begin training for the Conmebol U20

Coach Juninho led the first training sessions on Friday (14) for Brazil’s men’s U-20 beach soccer national team ahead of the Conmebol U-20 tournament. The two-a-day sessions with the 12 called-up players took place on Copacabana beach, where the team will complete all of its preparations through the 19th. On the morning of the 20th, everyone will depart for Lima, Peru, where the fourth edition of the continent’s top competition in the age group will be held.

Among those called up are already experienced names, such as defenders Carlos, Yuri, and Warlison, as well as newcomers Alberto and Caio, who are wearing the Yellow Jersey for the first time in their careers. Alberto, from Maranhão, spoke about the emotion of being called up.

The squad coached by Juninho will travel on the 20th to Lima, Peru, where the competition will be heldCredits: Luciana Vermell/ CBF

“The feeling I had when Professor Rafael Cobrinha (Juninho’s assistant coach) got in touch with me was huge. My heart started racing, I almost had a fit, I cried, I really cried, out of happiness. Then when my call-up was officially announced, it was amazing. There’s no way to explain this feeling, being here for the first time. I hope I can help the team a lot and, God willing, we’ll bring home the title,” he said.

One of the group’s leaders, Yuri made a point of stressing the importance of the competition. For him, who was part of the runner-up squad in 2023, in the last edition, when Brazil was defeated by Paraguay, it is essential that everyone is aware of the importance of winning the title again, just as happened in the first edition, in 2017, when Brazil beat Argentina, the team that had beaten them in the 2019 final.

“It’s very rewarding for me to be able to help with my experience and pass on some situations to the younger players to help them. I really believe in the group, in this wonderful coaching staff. We had our first training session today and it was excellent; the guys who are arriving are giving their all, and I believe that if we keep this up until the end of the competition, with commitment and desire, the results will be the best possible,” Yuri said.

Coach Juninho is counting on maintaining the core of the team and its established style of playCredits: Luciana Vermell/ CBF

The defender’s remarks align with the thinking of his coach. With a winning history as a player for the Brazilian National Team for many years and, since 2019, as coach of the U-20 team, Juninho is backing the group he has in hand to win the category’s main continental tournament again.

“The group is basically the core from other competitions. I’m going to keep the playing style, the way we play; they already understand that, and I’m not going to change much. Expectations are great. It’s a tough competition; we know it’s hard to play against Paraguay, Chile, and Ecuador, but we’re going in very well prepared for this tournament. The first training session today was wonderful, I’m feeling the boys are relaxed, cheerful, happy, including the two who are here for the first time, and that’s what matters,” the coach said.

The training schedule continues with two sessions a day on Copacabana beach through next Wednesday (19).

See the squad called up for the Conmebol U-20

Goalkeepers: Driei (Botafogo-RJ) / Girlian (Vitória-BA)

Defenders: Carlos (Botafogo-RJ)/ Yuri (Flamengo-RJ)/ Warlison (Sampaio Corrêa-MA)

Wingers: Eduardo (Sampaio Corrêa-MA)/ Gabriel Lemos (Botafogo-RJ)/ João Pedro (Flamengo-RJ)/ Rai Oliveira (Vasco da Gama-RJ)

Forwards: Alberto (Sampaio Corrêa-MA)/ Caio (Projeto MdO-RN)/ Kawan (ABC/Galinhos-RN)

– CBF Manager: Lavoisier Freire

– CBF Administrative Coordinator: Maurício Leite

– ⁠CBF Planning: Luan Neiva

– ⁠Technical Coordinator: Chicão Castelo Branco

– ⁠Operations Coordinator: Mão

– ⁠Assistant Coach: Rafael Cobrinha

– ⁠Fitness Coach: Fábio Costa

– ⁠Goalkeeping Coach: Filipe Telesforo

– ⁠Performance Analyst: Thiago Silveira

– ⁠Doctor: Dr. Lucas Bastos

– ⁠Physiotherapist: Mauricio Bity

– ⁠Kit Manager: João Eudson

– ⁠Videomaker: Matheus Miranda

– ⁠Communications Advisor: Gabriel Badaró

Brazil’s match schedule at the 2026 Conmebol U-20

Group B: Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Uruguay

Matchday 1 – Saturday, 8/22

Matchday 2 – Sunday, 8/23

Ecuador vs. Brazil – 12:00 p.m. (BRA) / 10:00 a.m. (PER)

Matchday 3 – Monday, 8/24

Brazil vs. Uruguay – 2:00 p.m. (BRA) / 12:00 p.m. (PER)

Matchday 4 – Wednesday, 8/26

Brazil vs. Uruguay – 12:00 p.m. (BRA) / 10:00 a.m. (PER)

Matchday 5 – Thursday, 8/27

Paraguay vs. Brazil – 2:00 p.m. (BRA) / 12:00 p.m. (PER)

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.