Kolkata: The Indian football team are set to face five-time FIFA World Cup winners Brazil in one of the biggest international friendlies in the country’s recent history. The match will take place at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata on October 3, 2026, at 7:30 PM IST.
Brazil are currently ranked sixth in the FIFA Men’s World Ranking, while India are placed 137th. The Selecao enter the fixture as clear favourites on paper, but the Blue Tigers will look to put up a strong performance in front of a packed home crowd.
India come into the game after a 1-1 draw against Panama in Bengaluru. Ryan Williams gave India the lead before Panama equalised in the second half.
Is this the first time India are playing Brazil?
The upcoming fixture will be the fifth meeting between Indian and Brazilian national teams across different age groups and categories.
The first meeting took place during the BRICS U-17 Football Tournament in Goa on October 13, 2016. Brazil secured a 3-1 victory over India in the men’s U-17 competition.
The two nations met again in the women’s U-17 category at the BRICS U-17 Football Tournament in Johannesburg, South Africa, on July 21, 2018. Brazil dominated the contest and registered a 5-0 victory.
The third meeting came between the senior women’s teams during the International Women’s Tournament in Manaus, Brazil, on November 26, 2021. Manisha Kalyan created history by becoming the first Indian woman to score against Brazil’s senior women’s national team. She found the net in the eighth minute, although Brazil eventually won 6-1.
India and Brazil met for the fourth time at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Bhubaneswar on October 17, 2022. Brazil recorded another 5-0 win, with Gabriele Berchon among the scorers.
The senior men’s teams will meet for the first time on October 3.
Brazil squad
Goalkeepers: Hugo Souza, Pedro Morisco, Otávio
Defenders: Arthur Dias, Douglas Santos, Gabriel Magalhães, Jair, Marquinhos, Matheuzinho, Mauro Junior, Vitor Reis, Wesley
Midfielders: Andrey Santos, Breno Bidon, Bruno Guimarães, Danilo Santos, Douglas Luiz, Gabriel Bontempo
Forwards: Endrick, Estêvão, Gabriel Martinelli, Pedro, Rayan, Samuel Lino, Vinícius Júnior
Brazil predicted lineup
Brazil could line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Ancelotti confirming Morisco to start in goal. Also they will be without their star player and captain Raphinha after the Barcelona winger withdrew from the squad following an injury
Brazil XI: Pedro Morisco; Vanderson, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães, Douglas Santos; Bruno Guimarães, Danilo; Rayan, Gabriel Bontempo, Vinícius Júnior; Endrick.
India squad
Goalkeepers: Albino Gomes, Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, Som Kumar, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
Defenders: Akash Mishra, Abhishek Singh Tekcham, Anwar Ali, Jay Gupta, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Ricky Meetei Haobam, Bijoy Varghese, Pramveer
Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Ashique Kuruniyan, Ricky Shabong, Mohammed Sanan, Macarton Nickson, Lalengmawia Ralte, Sahal Abdul Samad, Farukh Choudhary
Forwards: Edmund Lalrindika, Manvir Singh, Rahim Ali, Irfan Yadwad, Vikram Pratap Singh, Ryan Williams
India predicted lineup
Khalid Jamil could field an unchanged starting XI that featured against Panama.
India XI: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu; Abhishek Singh Tekcham, Anwar Ali, Bijoy Varghese, Akash Mishra; Lalengmawia Ralte, Anirudh Thapa, Ashique Kuruniyan, Ryan Williams; Vikram Partap Singh, Manvir Singh.
When and where to watch India vs Brazil?
The India vs Brazil international friendly will be played on October 3, 2026, at 7:30 PM IST at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.
The match will be available for live streaming on the SonyLIV app and website. Fans can also watch the game on the Sony Sports Network and Sony AATH, which will provide Bengali commentary.
Tickets for the highly anticipated fixture are available through the District app and website.
