Carlo Ancelotti says India lacks a footballing culture ahead of Brazil friendly in Kolkata
Brazil will face India in an international friendly at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on 3rd October 2026, and Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti said “I think it’s a problem of culture. India does not have a culture of football, but they are good in other sports. You have to work on this to build a new generation of players.” The fixture concludes a September–October window that follows two friendlies against Australia on 25th September & 29th September.
The match will be the first meeting between India and Brazil and Germany-ranked Brazil are currently listed as the world’s fifth-ranked nation; it will be the highest-ranked opponent India has faced in their history. Brazil have brought a 26-man squad that includes Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, Endrick, Bruno Guimaraes and Marquinhos, and many players and members of the coaching staff will visit India for the first time, including Ancelotti. As a manager Ancelotti has won five UEFA Champions Leagues and is described in the source as the only manager to win the domestic title in the top five leagues; he took charge of Brazil in 2025.
Speaking to TOI, Ancelotti framed the Kolkata game as meaningful preparation rather than a casual friendly, saying, “Brazil has supporters in every corner of the world. The history of this national team is really important. It’s a pleasure for us to play in India, not just for the Brazilian supporters, but also those in India. It’s a preparatory game, a friendly, but for us, there’s never a friendly game. When you play for the national team, you have to always do your best. We are working on building a new generation of players. We have a base that comes from the last World Cup. Now we are focused on preparing for the Copa America in 2028 and World Cup in 2030.”
On India specifically, Ancelotti said, “We have to see other nations, other cultures. We are used to playing friendlies with different styles. India will be exciting. It’s true that India does not have a good experience (of facing world class opponents), but it’s important for us to know how they play. I’ve never been to India. I am very excited to come to Kolkata.” He repeated his view on the need to develop a football culture in India in the comment quoted above about culture.
Ancelotti also explained the selection and evaluation purpose of the international window, saying, “Friendlies are used to have a look at different players. My goal is to have a look at players who I don’t know really well. It will help me when I select the final squad for (major) competitions. We have had a fantastic generation that played the World Cup in 2018, 2022 & 2026. Now, we must place this generation.” He noted the squad’s club distribution across Europe and South America and addressed travel and availability: “The players that have come to Australia are all happy to be here even after a long flight. There are no discussions on resting players. I have never heard a Brazilian player ask not to field him for the national team. All players will be available.”
On squad composition and youth integration, Ancelotti said, “We have a strong base of players like Marquinhos, Gabriel (Magalhães), Bruno (Guimaraes), Raphinha, Vini (Jr). We want to build around them a new group with new young players. Brazilian football always builds new talented players. It’s true that we have some young players who are not playing in clubs right now, but we are going to give them possibilities to grow and improve for the future of the national team.” He also outlined the scale of selection challenges: “It’s difficult because there is a lot of competition. Every weekend, we look at about 60-70 players who can be part of the national team. We are looking everywhere; watching games in Europe, in Russia, in Saudi Arabia. Brazilian players are everywhere, all of them with very good qualities.” The source notes Brazil have not won a major international tournament since their 2019 Copa America title.
Carlo Ancelotti remains the head coach of the Seleção and Brazil will complete the international window with the Kolkata friendly against India on 3rd October 2026 at 7:30 PM IST at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, following friendlies in Australia on 25th September & 29th September.