Firmino, Coutinho, Alves - World Cup question marks for Brazil

Brazil coach Tite is set to announce on Monday his 26-man World Cup squad with elements of uncertainty that could be key for the five-times champions at the tournament in Qatar starting on Nov. 20.

Here are the questions that will be answered when the manager reveals his list.

WHO WILL BE THE ODD MEN OUT UP FRONT?

Brazil are favourites to lift a record sixth World Cup as they have an exciting team full of young talent and look to be peaking at the perfect moment ahead of the tournament.

The new generation has created a good headache for Tite with so many attacking options.

Even if he takes nine forwards to Qatar, the number he has suggested he is planning to use, he still needs to make the tough decision to leave at least one in-form player out.

With Neymar, Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, Raphinha, Antony, Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus sure of their places in Qatar, that would leave four players fighting for the last two spots - Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli, Liverpool's Roberto Firmino, Atletico Madrid's Matheus Cunha and Flamengo's Pedro.

Martinelli and Pedro look to have a head-start in the race as they are in great form for their clubs.

The 21-year-old Arsenal forward has been key for Mikel Arteta's Premier League leaders and is one of Tite's favourite young players.

Pedro has been player of the year in South America, the top-scorer for Copa Libertadores champions Flamengo with 29 goals in 2022.

The experienced Firmino could serve as an extra-attacking midfielder and one of the substitutes for Neymar, who has been playing in a more central role that allows Tite to unleash Brazil's young attackers around him.

That would leave Cunha as potentially the big loser, as he has fallen out of favour with Atletico manager Diego Simeone, having