Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has announced his 26-member squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Australia and India, confirming the presence of some of the biggest names in world football.
Indian football fans were very happy with the announcement, especially with the inclusion of Real Madrid and Barcelona superstars in the squad.
Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior and Barcelona winger Raphinha headline the squad, meaning Indian fans could get the opportunity to watch two of Brazil's biggest attacking stars in action at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, popularly known as Salt Lake Stadium, in Kolkata.
Brazil will face India on October 3, 2026, with the match scheduled to kick off at 7:30 PM IST. It will be the first-ever meeting between the senior national teams of Brazil and India.
Brazil vs India: Match Date, Venue And Timing
The historic international friendly will take place on October 3 at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Brazil will arrive in India after playing two friendlies against Australia on September 25 and September 29.
For India, the match represents a huge opportunity to test themselves against one of international football's most successful nations.
Vini Jr And Raphinha Headline Brazil Squad
The inclusion of Vinicius Junior and Raphinha will be the biggest attraction for Indian football fans. Both players were part of Brazil's 2026 World Cup squad and remain key figures as Ancelotti begins building his team for the next international cycle.
Carlo Ancelotti mentioned the reason behind his squad selection.
"We have to make a balanced list, with players who played in the last campaign and young players who can bring new energy to the team. The idea is to build something for the future without losing our competitiveness," said Ancelotti.
The India friendly will be particularly significant for Ancelotti as he begins shaping Brazil's squad for the years ahead.
For Indian football, meanwhile, the October 3 fixture could become one of the biggest international matches ever staged in the country.
With Vini Jr, Raphinha, Endrick and Marquinhos all included in the squad, anticipation around Brazil's historic Kolkata visit is already at an extremely high level.
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Brazil Squad For India Friendly
Goalkeepers: Hugo Souza, Pedro Morisco, Otavio
Defenders: Arthur Dias, Douglas Santos, Gabriel Magalhães, Jair, Marquinhos, Matheuzinho, Mauro Júnior, Vitor Reis, Wesley
Midfielders: Andrey Santos, Breno Bidon, Bruno Guimaraes, Danilo Santos, Douglas Luiz, Gabriel Bontempo
Forwards: Endrick, Estevao, Joao Pedro, Pedro, Raphinha, Rayan, Samuel Lino, Vinicius Junior.