Brazil vs India: Vinicius Jr and Raphinha ready for a historic confrontation in Calcutta | football news

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has begun to reshape the national team after their disappointing 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, naming a 26-man squad for upcoming friendlies against Australia and India.The squad includes some of Brazil’s biggest names, with Real Madrid striker Vinícius Júnior, Barcelona winger Raphinha and Paris Saint-Germain veteran Marquinhos among the players selected by Ancelotti.Brazil will begin its post-World Cup schedule with two games 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, and the match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 pm IST at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.

Ancelotti begins the remodeling of Brazil

Ancelotti has made it clear that Brazil’s next cycle will involve a major shake-up of the team, and his first selection since the World Cup reflects that approach.The Italian coach has included several young players, and several of them are also eligible to represent Brazil at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Ancelotti hopes that the emerging group can eventually form the core of his team for the 2030 World Cup.The coach had indicated in an interview with The Associated Press in July, shortly after Brazil’s elimination from the World Cup, that he intended to look for younger players as part of the team’s rebuilding process.“On Wednesday (9), coach Carlo Ancelotti called up a total of 26 players 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 gave a press conference,” the CBF reported in a statement.The squad includes only some of the players Ancelotti brought to the World Cup three months ago, and the coach opted to introduce several new faces alongside established stars.

Brazil seeks to overcome World Cup disappointment

Brazil’s World Cup campaign ended in the round of 16 after suffering a defeat to Norway in their pre-quarterfinal clash.The result extended Brazil’s wait for a sixth World Cup title. Their last win was in 2002, so the five-time champions have been without a trophy since their successes in Japan and South Korea.Ancelotti’s first task after that disappointment will, therefore, be to begin rebuilding a squad capable of competing in the next World Cup.Australia’s upcoming matches will give them the first opportunity to assess the new group ahead of Brazil’s historic match against India in Kolkata.

Brazil team for friendlies with Australia and India

Goalkeepers: Hugo Souza (Corinthians), Pedro Morisco (Coritiba), Octavio (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 (Roma)Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Manchester United), Breno Bidon (Corinthians), Bruno Guimarães (Arsenal), Danilo Santos (Botafogo), Douglas Luiz (Juventus), Gabriel Bontempo (Santos)Forwards: Endrick (Real Madrid), Stephen (Chelsea), John Peter (Chelsea), Pedro (Flamengo), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Samuel Lino (Flamengo), Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid)