Fred added to Brazil roster; Ronaldinho bypassed

Published Feb. 24, 2014 1:39 p.m. ET

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SAO PAULO (AP) Forward Fred has been added to Brazil's roster for next week's exhibition game at South Africa while omitting former star Ronaldinho.

Striker Jo and goalkeeper Jefferson also were added Monday for the March 5 game at Soccer City in Johannesburg.

The 33-year-old Ronaldinho's chances of making the World Cup are dwindling. Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is expected to announce his World Cup roster on May 7.

Ronaldinho was a member of Scolari's team that won the 2002 World Cup. He was selected by Scolari right after he was rehired in late 2012, but the Atletico Mineiro playmaker was left off the Confederations Cup roster last year.

Fred has been a regular in Scolari's team but there were doubts whether he would be called up because of recent muscle injuries.

Scolari had announced 16 foreign-based players on Jan. 11. Also missing from the initial list were midfielder Kaka and AC Milan teammate Robinho.

The roster:

Goalkeepers: Jefferson (Botafogo), Julio Cesar (Toronto, Canada)

Defenders: Daniel Alves (Barcelona, Spain), Dante (Bayern Munich, Germany), David Luiz (Chelsea, England), Marcelo (Real Madrid, Spain), Rafinha (Bayern Munich, Germany), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain, France)

Midfielders: Fernandinho (Manchester City, England), Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg, Germany), Oscar (Chelsea, England), Paulinho (Tottenham, England), Ramires (Chelsea, England)

Forwards: Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine), Fred (Fluminense), Hulk (Zenit St. Petersburg, Russia), Jo (Atletico Mineiro), Neymar (Barcelona, Spain), Willian (Chelsea, England)

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