Brazil vs India: Vinicius Jr, Raphinha set for historic showdown in Kolkata

Brazilian Vinicius Junior (AP photo) Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has begun reshaping the national team following their disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign, naming a 26-man squad for the upcoming friendlies against Australia and India.The squad includes some of Brazil’s biggest names, with Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior, Barcelona winger Raphinha and Paris Saint-Germain veteran Marquinhos among the players selected by Ancelotti.Brazil will open their post-World Cup schedule with two matches against Australia. The first is scheduled for September 25 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville, followed by another clash with the hosts on September 29 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.The five-time world champions will then travel to India for a historic match against the hosts on October 3. Brazil will face India for the first time in their history, the match is scheduled to start at 19:30 IST at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata.

Ancelotti begins overhaul of Brazil

Ancelotti has made it clear that Brazil’s next cycle will involve a significant reshuffle of the squad and his first selection since the World Cup reflects that approach.The Italian coach has included several young players, with a number of them also set to represent Brazil at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Ancelotti hopes the emerging group can eventually form the core of his 2030 World Cup squad.In an interview with The Associated Press in July, shortly after Brazil’s World Cup ended, the coach indicated he intended to focus on younger players as part of the team’s rebuilding process.“Coach Carlo Ancelotti called up a total of 26 players on Wednesday (9th) for Brazil’s first matches after the World Cup. Ten of them play in Brazilian football. He announced the list at the headquarters of the Brazilian Football Confederation in Rio, from where he then held a press conference,” the CBF said in a statement.The selection includes only a few of the players Ancelotti took to the World Cup three months ago, with the coach opting to introduce some fresh faces alongside established stars.

Brazil wants to move on from disappointment at the World Cup

Brazil’s World Cup campaign ended in the round of 16 after suffering defeat to Norway in their quarter-final clash.The result extended Brazil’s wait for a sixth World Cup title. Their last triumph came in 2002, meaning the five-time champions are now without a trophy since their success in Japan and South Korea.Ancelotti’s first task after this disappointment will therefore be to start rebuilding a squad capable of challenging at the next World Cup.Australia’s upcoming games will give him the first opportunity to assess the new group ahead of Brazil’s historic meeting with India in Kolkata.

Team Brazil for Australia, friendlies with India

Goalkeepers: Hugo Souza (Corinthians), Pedro Morisco (Coritiba), Otavio (Cruzeiro)Defenders: Arthur Dias (Athletico-PR), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Jair (Nottingham Forest), Marquinhos (PSG), Matheuzinho (Corinthians), Mauro Junior (PSV Eindhoven), Vitor Reis (Manchester City), Wesley (Rome)Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Manchester United), Breno Bidon (Corinthians), Bruno Guimarães (Arsenal), Danilo Santos (Botafogo), Douglas Luiz (Juventus), Gabriel Bontempo (Santos)Forward: Endrick (Real Madrid), Stephen (Chelsea), John Peter (Chelsea), Pedro (Flamengo), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Samuel Lino (Flamengo), Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid)