Star-studded Seleco: Vinicius Jr, Raphinha headline Brazil's 26-man squad for historic Kolkata showdown
Brasilia: Brazil has named a 26-player squad featuring high-profile stars including Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, and Marquinhos for upcoming friendly fixtures against Australia and India.
The five-time World Cup winners will face Australia on 25 September at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville, before taking on the host nation again on 29 September at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
Following their Australian fixtures, the Brazilian national side will travel to Asia to play their first-ever international match against India on 3 October, with kick-off scheduled for 7:30 pm IST at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
"Coach Carlo Ancelotti called up a total of 26 players on Wednesday (9) for Brazil's first matches after the World Cup. Ten of them play in Brazilian football. He released the list at the headquarters of the Brazilian Football Confederation, in Rio, from where he then gave a press conference," the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said in an official statement.
The announcement follows Brazil's round-of-16 exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the South American powerhouse, which has not lifted the trophy since 2002, was eliminated by Norway.
The 26-man squad selected for the friendly series against Australia and India comprises:
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 (Roma).
Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Manchester United), Breno Bidon (Corinthians), Bruno Guimaraes (Arsenal), Danilo Santos (Botafogo), Douglas Luiz (Juventus), Gabriel Bontempo (Santos).
Forwards: Endrick (Real Madrid), Estevao (Chelsea), Joao Pedro (Chelsea), Pedro (Flamengo), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Samuel Lino (Flamengo), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid).
ANI