Portugal Names Pepe, Carvalho to 24-Man Provisional Squad

Carlos Queiroz appears to have his squad for South Africa set, with the only caveat being the healthy of two crucial central defenders.

On Monday, the Portugal national team coach names his provisional World Cup roster, and while each nation is entitled to name up-to 30 players, the former Metro Stars coach has only named 24, one above the 23-man roster limit of the final World Cup squad, which must be named by June 1.

Included in the provisional squad are Pepe and Ricardo Carvalho, first choice central defenders when healthy, though neither have been in 2010. Pepe, in particular, is considered a World Cup doubt, having been out-of-action since December with a knee injury. The Brazilian-born defender has been tentatively included in the squad, who play their first match on June 15.

The most notable name included in the team is former FIFA World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 26 goals in 28 league appearances this year for Real Madrid.

Other notables include Porto defender Bruno Alves, Chelsea midfielder Deco, Atletico Madrid midfielder Simão, and Manchester United attacker Nani.

Beto (Porto)
Eduardo (Sporting Braga)
Daniel Fernandez (Iraklis)

Bruno Alves (Porto)
Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea)
Ze Castro (Deportivo)
Fabio Coentrao (Benfica)
Ricardo Costa (Lille)
Duda (Malaga)
Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea)
Miguel (Valencia)
Pepe (Real Madrid)
Rolando (Porto)

Deco (Chelsea)
Raul Meireles (Porto)
Pedro Mendes (Sporting Lisbon)
Nani (Manchester United)
Miguel Veloso (Sporting Lisbon)
Simão (Atletico Madrid)
Tiago (Atletico Madrid)

Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen)
Danny (Zenit)
Liedson (Sporting Lisbon)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)