RIO DE JANEIRO, July 5 (Xinhua) -- Newly appointed Brazil interim manager Fernando Diniz has promised to select the strongest possible team for upcoming World Cup qualifiers, without thinking about who might be available in 2026.
Diniz made the comments a day after signing a 12-month contract as Brazil's head coach, a period that will include 10 World Cup qualifiers and the 2024 Copa America in the United States.
"I'm going to call up the best players that are available now," Diniz, who is also in charge of Brazilian Serie A club Fluminense, told a news conference in Rio de Janeiro.
"As the manager of Brazil, I will have the best raw material in the world. That being said, if there is room, I might bring in some younger players to give them some experience."
Diniz replaces Ramon Menezes, who was also appointed on a caretaker basis after the departure of Adenor Bacchi, better known as Tite, following last year's World Cup in Qatar.
The Brazilian Football Confederation said Diniz would remain Fluminense boss throughout the duration of his contract with the national team.
The 49-year-old's first matches in charge of the Selecao will be a double header of 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Peru in September.
Diniz reserved special praise for talismanic forward Neymar, who he said would remain the focal point the team's attack under his stewardship.
"He is a super talent and we will have to wait a long time to see another player like him," Diniz said. "Brazil is lucky that players like this appear from time to time. We have to take advantage of Neymar's talent."
Diniz declined to talk about Carlo Ancelotti, who has reportedly agreed to assume Brazil's head coaching job after his Real Madrid contract expires next June. ■
