Three Flamengo Players Named to 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup Squad

Flamengo has had three young players named to the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup squad. Goalkeeper Gabriel Werneck (born 14/02/2009), defender Daniel Silva (born 31/03/2009) and forward João Vitor Couto (born 02/03/2009) were called up by coach Carlos Eduardo Patetuci to represent Brazil in the tournament, which will take place in Qatar from November 19 to December 13. Alongside Athletico-PR, Mengão was the club with the most players selected for the competition.

The presence of these young talents reinforces the development work carried out by the club over recent years. All three joined Flamengo's academy in 2017 at age eight and built their careers through the Rubro-Negro's youth categories. Now they will have the opportunity to represent Brazil in the sport's flagship youth competition.

Among the call-ups, João Vitor Couto arrives at the World Cup in superb form: the current top scorer for Flamengo's U-17 side this season with 25 goals. With Brazil's national team, João has already competed in international tournaments and friendlies, including the 2026 UEFA Friendship Cup in Switzerland, where Brazil claimed the bronze medal.

"I got the news while I was in a room having lunch with my family. It was a call-up we'd been expecting," the striker said, highlighting his eagerness for the preparation period and tournament.

Another Rubro-Negro representative, Daniel Silva—known as Daniel Thuram—also has significant international experience with Brazil's national team. The defender also took part in the UEFA tournament held in Switzerland. At Flamengo, he also participated in the first-team's preseason training in Portugal earlier this year during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Thuram discovered his call-up by checking social media and finding his name on the list. "It means so much to me and to my family, who are with me every step of the way. I've worked hard to earn this spot," the defender said, expressing his eagerness to begin preparations.

For Gabriel Werneck, the news also came as a surprise. The goalkeeper learned of his call-up right after training when his coach told him and showed him the official roster. Like João Vitor and Daniel, the goalkeeper will make his World Cup debut for Brazil's youth team.

"At first, I couldn't believe it, but he showed me my name on the list right away. It's a huge achievement, the result of a lot of hard work," Werneck said. The goalkeeper has now received three call-ups to Brazil's national youth setup.

Brazil's national team will begin preparation on November 3 at Granja Comary in Teresópolis, Rio de Janeiro. This period will focus on final adjustments before departing for Qatar, where the team will seek another world title for the nation.

Brazil is in Group I of the tournament alongside the Republic of Ireland, Tanzania and Costa Rica. Their opening match will be on November 21 against the Irish. The U-17 World Cup will run from November 19 to December 13, with matches at the Aspire Zone sports complex in Al Rayyan, in the Doha area.

Five-time world champions (1997, 1999, 2003, 2019), Brazil will look to claim their fifth U-17 World Cup title. The final is scheduled for Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, also in Al Rayyan.