Dunga Announces Brazil Squad For Bolivia & Venezuela World Cup Qualifiers

Dunga, the coach of the Brazilian national team, has named his squad to take on Bolivia and Venezuela in Brazil's final two 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

Despite the fact that Brazil have already booked their ticket to South Africa, the 1994 World Cup winning captain selected a very strong squad with the majority of his stars.

Key players Kaka, Luis Fabiano, Gilberto Silva, Maicon and Julio Cesar are all part of the 24-man delegation.

Perhaps the biggest surprises were the inclusions of Alex of Spartak Moscow, and Naldo of Werder Bremen. Home-based players Adriano, Miranda, Sandro, Diego Souza and Diego Tardelli were also called up.

The biggest absences are that of Robinho and Julio Baptista, of Manchester City and AS Roma, respectively. Juventus midfielder Felipe Melo also wasn't called up because he is suspended after being sent off against Chile in Brazil's last World Cup qualifier.

Despite speculation that Ronaldo could return to the national team in the near future, Dunga denied claims, instead affirming that it is unlikely that the striker will feature in the World Cup.

Brazil Squad for World Cup Qualifiers:

Goalkeepers

Julio Cesar (Inter Milan) and Victor (Gremio)

Defenders

Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Barcelona) Andre Santos (Fenerbahce), Filipe (Deportivo La Coruna), Lucio (Inter Milan), Juan (Roma), Luisao (Benfica), Miranda (Sao Paulo) and Naldo (Werder Bremen)

Midfielders

Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Sandro (Internacional), Lucas (Liverpool), Josue (Wolfsburg), Elano (Galatasaray), Ramires (Benfica), Alex (Spartak Moscow), Kaka (Real Madrid) and Diego Souza (Palmeiras)

Strikers

Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Adriano (Flamengo), Nilmar (Villareal) and Diego Tardelli (Atletico-MG)

Gregory Sica, Goal.com