- The Brazil head coach believes India have limited experience of facing world-class opponents.
- The Italian coach acknowledged the gap in international experience.
- India missed out on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Carlo Ancelotti's comments on Indian football have sparked discussion ahead of Brazil's much-anticipated clash against India in Kolkata.
The Brazil head coach believes India have limited experience of facing world-class opponents and said developing a stronger football culture will be important for producing the next generation of players.
Speaking from Brisbane, Ancelotti said the India-Brazil friendly will also give his team an opportunity to experience a different footballing culture.
“We have to see other nations, other cultures. We are used to playing friendlies with different styles. India will be exciting.”
The Italian coach acknowledged the gap in international experience between the two teams but said Brazil are interested in understanding how India play.
“It’s true that India does not have a good experience of playing world-class opponents, but it’s important for us to know how they play.”
Ancelotti, who will visit India for the first time for the fixture, also expressed his excitement about playing in Kolkata.
“I’ve never been to India. I am very excited to come to Kolkata,” he stated.
‘India Does Not Have A Culture Of Football’
Ancelotti then turned his attention to the broader development of football in India. According to the Brazil coach, building a stronger football culture is an important part of developing young players.
“I think it’s a problem of culture. India does not have a culture of football, but they are good in other sports.”
He added that greater emphasis on developing young players could help Indian football build a stronger foundation.
“You have to work on this to build a new generation of players.”
The comments come at a difficult period for the Indian men's national team. India missed out on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after finishing third in their second-round qualifying group.
The team also failed to qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup after finishing third in their qualification group.
India have also struggled to regularly face teams from the highest level of international football. Matches against elite sides such as Brazil remain rare, making the upcoming Kolkata fixture a significant opportunity for the national team.
Ancelotti: ‘India Will Be Exciting’
Despite pointing out India's lack of experience against top opponents, Ancelotti maintained that the fixture will be useful for Brazil as well.
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“India will be exciting. Indeed, India does not have much experience playing world-class opponents, but we need to know how they play.”
For India, the match represents an opportunity to test themselves against Brazil and Ancelotti, one of the most decorated coaches in world football.
The India-Brazil friendly is scheduled to take place in Kolkata on October 3. The fixture is expected to draw significant attention as India prepare to face the five-time FIFA World Cup winners on home soil.