Brazil Bring Star Power To Kolkata: Vinicius, Raphinha In Squad For India Clash

Brazilian football’s biggest stars are set to descend on Kolkata as Vinicius Junior, Raphinha and veteran defender Marquinhos headline a 26-member squad for the country’s historic first-ever meeting with India on October 3.

The match at the Salt Lake Stadium is scheduled to kick off at 7.30 pm, promising a landmark night for Indian football and a massive spectacle for the football-loving city.

Brazil will arrive in India after a two-match tour of Australia, where Carlo Ancelotti’s side will face the hosts in Townsville on September 25 and Brisbane on September 29.

Ancelotti announced his first squad since the 2026 World Cup at the Brazilian Football Confederation headquarters in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday before addressing the media.

The squad combines established international names with a group of younger players looking to establish themselves in the national team. Vinicius, Raphinha and Marquinhos provide experience, while Arsenal duo Gabriel Magalhaes and Bruno Guimaraes also retain their places.

The Kolkata fixture could offer Indian fans a rare opportunity to watch several of Brazil’s leading players on home soil. Vinicius, Marquinhos and Gabriel are also among Brazil’s three 2026 Ballon d’Or nominees included in the squad.

Brazil have also handed opportunities to several emerging talents, including Manchester City defender Vitor Reis, Real Madrid forward Endrick and Manchester United midfielder Andrey Santos.

The forward line features considerable firepower, with Vinicius, Raphinha, Endrick, Joao Pedro, Pedro, Rayan and Samuel Lino named in the squad.

For India, the encounter will represent far more than another international fixture. Facing one of football’s most celebrated teams will provide a major test of the national side, while giving Indian players the chance to compete against some of the world’s elite talent.

With Brazil’s first senior international clash against India now confirmed, anticipation is already building for what could become one of the most memorable football nights in Kolkata.