Brazil, Argentina World Cup squads: Surprise inclusions from South American nations

Geromel has just two caps but was outstanding in leading the Porto Alegre side to the Copa Libertadores last season.

Fagner and Manchester City's Danilo are the two right backs drafted in to replace Dani Alves, who was ruled out with a knee injury last weekend.

Cassio, who has just one cap, was selected as the third goalkeeper behind regulars Alisson (Roma) and Ederson (Manchester City).

Neymar, who was been out with an injured foot since Feb. 25, is in the squad and expected to be fit by early June.

The only country to win the World Cup five times, Brazil kick off their World Cup campaign against Switzerland on June 17 before playing Costa Rica and Serbia in Group E.

Meanwhile, Argentina named their 35-man long list for the World Cup in Russia with places for recovering Everton defender Ramiro Funes Mori and Racing Club's exciting young duo Lautaro Martinez and Ricardo Centurion.

There were also places for uncapped Sporting Lisbon midfielder Rodrigo Battaglia and River Plate goalkeeper Franco Armani.

The list, which must be trimmed to 23 by June 4, included Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala, as well as Manchester United pair Sergio Romero and Marcos Rojo.

AC Milan's Lucas Biglia, who has suffered from a recent back injury, was also on the list.

Argentina kick off their World Cup campaign against Iceland on June 16, before facing Croatia on June 21 and then Nigeria five days later.

World Cup winners in 1978 and 1986, the South Americans have not won a major international title since lifting the Copa America in 1993 and have performed inconsistently since losing to Germany in the final four years ago.

Although they reached the finals of the Copa America in 2015 and 2016, they lost both times and their current coach Jorge Sampaoli is their third in four years.

Sampaoli has overseen five wins in 10 matches, with their last three friendly games including a 4-2 defeat by Nigeria and a 6-1 mauling by Spain.