Manchester United playmaker Andreas Pereira and Real Madrid forward Jean Carlos have made Brazil’s 26-player provisional squad for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

However, there was no space for 17-year-old Fluminense midfielder Gerson, Corinthians boy wonder Malcom and Santos striker Gabriel, 18, as coach Alexandre Gallo opted for more experience following a forgettable campaign in the South American qualifiers. The 47-year-old will trim his party to 21 before heading out to Australia, where they will undergo their training camp, on 16 May.

Other interesting names in the squad are Marseille prospect Alef, Atletico Paranaense’s prolific attacking midfielder Marcos Guilherme and Fluminense trick machine Kenedy.

“We called up committed players who have experience representing their country and have their [careers] shaped,” explained Gallo. “We need players who are fully focused on our targets.”

Brazil will begin their New Zealand 2015 campaign against Nigeria on 1 June, before taking on Hungary and Korea DPR in Group E.

“Nigeria always cause us problems,” Gallo said. “They’re a strong team, technically good with good players. Hungary have a typically European style – direct football, tall players. North Korea don’t have very technical players, but they close you down a lot, they have speed and counter-attack intensely.”

Brazil have won five U-20 World Cups, one shy of record champions Argentina. A Seleção’s last triumph came in 2011, when a hat-trick from now-Chelsea ace Oscar propelled them to a 3-2 win over Portugal.