Brazil can take advantage of Copa America 'loophole' to call up three 'extra' players

Brazil could took advantage of a loophole to call up three 'extra' players for the 2024 Copa America.

Brazil, as they are in every major tournament, will head into the Copa America in the United States next month as one of the favourites, but they are not in a good place at the moment.

Brazil have struggled for consistency ever since they were knocked out of the 2022 World Cup by Croatia in the quarter-finals.

The five-time world champions suffered three successive World Cup qualifier defeats at the end of 2023, a run that saw manager Fernando Diniz replaced by veteran coach Dorival Junior.

On paper, the Selecao have an unparalleled wealth of attacking options, so many in fact that several Premier League stars were left out of the 23-man squad Dorival will take to the Copa America.

Manchester United winger Antony, Arsenal attacker Gabriel Jesus, Tottenham's Richarlison and Wolves striker Matheus Cunha were all left out, as was United defensive midfielder Casemiro.

Neymar missed out as he continues to recover from the anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered in October, while 17-year-old sensation Endrick is included.

However, the Real Madrid-bound attacker was stretchered off the pitch during Palmeiras' 2-1 win against Independiente del Valle in the Copa Libertadores on Thursday.

Endrick. (Getty)

However, Brazil will now be able to call up three more players after the Conmebol Board - the organisation that governs South American football - decided to increase the maximum squad size from 23 to 26.

Conmebol also accepted a proposal from the CBF (Brazilian FA) to extend the deadline for finalising squads to June 15.

Next month Brazil will play friendlies against Mexico and the USA before kicking off their Copa America campaign against Costa Rice on June 24.

In the group stages they will also face Paraguay (June 28) and Colombia (July 2).

It remains to be seen who Dorival decides to add to his squad. Brazil's current 23-man squad is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Atletico PR), Ederson (Manchester City)

Defenders: Beraldo (PSG), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Gabriel (Arsenal), Marquinhos (PSG), Danilo (Juventus), Yan Couto (Girona), Guilherme Arana (Atletico MG), Wendell (Porto)

Midfielders: Andreas Pereira (Fulham), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Joao Gomes (Wolves), Lucas Paqueta (West Ham)

Forwards: Endrick (Palmeiras), Evanilson (Porto), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Savinho (Girona), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)