KOLKATA — Vinicius Junior is coming to India. Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has named the Real Madrid star alongside Raphinha and Endrick in a 26-man squad for the historic October 3 friendly against India at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
Brazil are bringing some serious star power to India! 🇧🇷🔥 https://t.co/qZ6UHtoCHt
— Khel Now (@KhelNow) September 9, 2026
From Vinicius Jr. and Raphinha to Marquinhos, here are the top five biggest names set to face the Blue Tigers in Kolkata. 🇮🇳⚽#IndianFootball
It will be the first senior men’s international between India and Brazil, putting the Blue Tigers up against the record five-time World Cup champions. Kick-off at Salt Lake Stadium is scheduled for 7:30 PM IST.
Vinicius, Raphinha and Endrick lead Brazil attack
Vinicius is the headline attraction, but Ancelotti is bringing serious attacking depth. Barcelona’s Raphinha and Real Madrid youngster Endrick are joined by Chelsea pair Estevao and Joao Pedro, Bournemouth forward Rayan and Flamengo duo Pedro and Samuel Lino.
Bruno Guimaraes and Douglas Luiz feature in midfield, while Marquinhos and Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes provide experience at the back.
The Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed the 26-man squad for the Seleção’s first international window since the 2026 World Cup.
Brazil squad for India friendly
Goalkeepers: Hugo Souza, Pedro Morisco, Otavio.
Defenders: Arthur Dias, Douglas Santos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jair, Marquinhos, Matheuzinho, Mauro Junior, 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.
Ancelotti starts Brazil’s post-World Cup rebuild
Only nine players from Brazil’s 26-man World Cup squad have been retained: Douglas Santos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Marquinhos, Danilo Santos, Bruno Guimaraes, Endrick, Raphinha, Rayan and Vinicius.
The changes signal the beginning of a new cycle as Ancelotti mixes younger talent with established leaders ahead of the 2028 Copa America and the longer road toward the 2030 World Cup.
Neymar retired from international football after the World Cup, while Casemiro, Alisson, Ederson, Danilo and Weverton are among the experienced names absent from this squad.
India face their highest-ranked opponent in decades
The rankings show the size of India’s challenge. Brazil are fifth in the FIFA men’s rankings and India are 138th, making Brazil the highest-ranked opponent the Blue Tigers have faced since the FIFA ranking system was introduced in 1992.
Brazil have won a record five men’s World Cups — 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. The October 3 fixture will be the countries’ first senior men’s meeting.
Interest in global football stars remains huge among Indian supporters, with recent developments involving Lionel Messi, Eldense and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Almeria connection also drawing attention.
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India vs Brazil tickets draw huge interest
Tickets went on sale through District on September 2, with reported prices ranging from ₹999 to ₹15,000. Lower-priced sections attracted particularly heavy early demand, and fans should check the official ticketing platform for current availability.
Kolkata has hosted Brazilian talent before, including Brazil’s Under-17 team during the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, but the senior India-Brazil showdown takes the city’s connection with Brazilian football to another level.
Will Vinicius Jr play against India?
Vinicius, Raphinha and Endrick have all been selected, but a call-up does not guarantee an appearance in Kolkata.
Brazil first face Australia in Townsville on September 25 and again in Brisbane on September 29. With the India match just four days later, Ancelotti could rotate his lineup depending on fitness and workload.
India name 26-man squad for Brazil test
Khalid Jamil has named a 26-player India squad featuring Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Anwar Ali, Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad and Manvir Singh.
India also face Panama before the Brazil match and two-time world champions Uruguay in Kolkata on October 6, creating an unusually demanding international window for the Blue Tigers.
For India, October 3 is a rare chance to measure themselves against elite opposition. For Brazil, it is part of Ancelotti’s post-World Cup rebuild. For Kolkata, the prospect of Vinicius, Raphinha and Endrick under the Salt Lake Stadium lights sets up one of the city’s biggest international football nights in years.
The fixture also arrives during a busy period for major football stories, including Liverpool’s new Turkish Airlines sponsorship deal ahead of the 2027-28 season.
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