Panaji: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) was keen to know who Carlo Ancelotti would pick for the international friendly against India, so almost everyone remained glued to the announcement late on Wednesday night.AIFF’s big-ticket contract with the five-time world champions mandates them to field their senior national men’s football team for the friendly in Kolkata on Oct 3. The Brazilian football federation (CBF) agreed but made it clear that the team selection was left entirely to Ancelotti, one of the most successful and respected managers in the history of world football.Regardless of what transpires on the field in a hopelessly lopsided contest, the inclusion of Galacticos would mean fans making a beeline for tickets, increased revenue, possibly sponsorships too. A squad comprising entirely of lesser-known players – even if they represent the great Selecao — would have invited trouble.In the end, Ancelotti did not disappoint.The Brazil manager made 17 changes to the team that got knocked out of the FIFA World Cup 2026 by Norway in the round of 16 but, luckily for fans, included several stars like Vinicius Jr, Raphinha, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Endrick, Estevao Willian and Joao Pedro for the upcoming friendlies against Australia and India.Three of the players — Vinicius (Real Madrid), Marquinhos (PSG) and Magalhaes (Arsenal) – are contenders for Ballon d’Or, football’s most prestigious individual prize.“This is a balanced squad, featuring (senior) players who have represented Brazil at the World Cup,” Ancelotti said after the announcement. “It will be important for the next generation. We prioritised younger players for these friendlies to gather more precise information on everyone. It is possible that, by the time we reach the competitions (like Copa America and Olympics), players not on this list could be on the final squad.“Ancelotti selected eight uncapped players for the upcoming friendlies and included 10 home-grown players. The 26-man squad has two teenagers, four aged 20, and another three below 23.“We have prioritised young players who will be the right age for the next World Cup or Copa America. We have seniors like Marquinhos, Gabriel, Bruno, Raphinha, and Vini Jr to help with this change in direction. We are confident in their commitment to quality, seriousness and professionalism. They will help the younger players improve,” said Ancelotti.India, ranked 138 in the world, will face the five-time world champions in a historic clash at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Oct 3. It will be the first senior international appearance for the former world champions on Indian soil, and the highest-ranked opposition India have faced since the FIFA rankings were introduced in 1992.Brazil, currently ranked fifth in the world, will also play two friendlies against Australia, on Sept 25 in Townsville and Sept 29 in Brisbane.Brazil’s World Cuppers headed to India: Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Marquinhos (PSG), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Bruno Guimaraes (Arsenal), Danilo Santos (Botafogo), Endrick (Real Madrid), Raphinha (Barcelona), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) and Rayan (Bournemouth)
