Brazil names Raphinha, Vinicius Jr. For India friendly
Carlo Ancelotti has selected a Brazil squad featuring stars like Raphinha and Vinicius Junior for October friendlies against Australia and India.
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has named his squad for upcoming friendlies against Australia and India. The Selecao will face India on October 3, 2026, at Kolkata's Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
For the Indian national team, managed by Khalid Jamil, this match is part of a packed schedule against 2026 World Cup nations including Panama, Uruguay, and New Zealand. Facing the five-time world champions, currently ranked fifth by FIFA, offers a major test of technical quality and intensity.
Ancelotti's selection blends youth from Brazilian clubs with established European stars. The squad announcement has generated significant discussion among Indian football supporters on social media platform X.
Fan reactions to the squad
Initial reactions from Indian fans are mixed. There is widespread excitement at the prospect of seeing global stars like Barcelona's Raphinha and Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior play in Kolkata. One user on X highlighted the chance to "witness the magic of Raphinha" following his strong club form.
Alongside the joy, skepticism exists. Some supporters question how many of the high-profile players listed will actually start the match against India. The focus is not only on the visitors, but on how the Indian players might fare. Fans have begun analyzing potential individual duels, with some humorously dreading a matchup between Indian forward Manvir Singh and Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes.
The full Brazil squad
The squad for the friendlies against Australia and India is as follows:
Key players traveling to Kolkata
Among the notable names expected for the India fixture are forwards Raphinha and Vinicius Junior. The squad also includes defenders Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhaes, along with young talents like Real Madrid's Endrick and Chelsea's Estevao. The presence of these players, even if some are on the bench, represents a significant occasion for Indian football.
The overarching reaction on X remains centered on the inclusion of these star names. While excitement dominates the conversation, the underlying question from some fans is about the match's competitive reality. They wonder how many of the immovable forces will meet the unmovable striker on the pitch in Kolkata.
