Four matchups to follow as India prepare to face Brazil in Kolkata
India will meet Brazil at the VYBK Stadium in Kolkata on October 3 in an international fixture, with Khalid Jamil’s side coming off a 1-1 draw with Panama in Bengaluru in which Ryan Williams scored. Brazil drew 1-1 with Australia in their first friendly before defeating the Socceroos 4-2 in the second friendly, and coach Carlo Ancelotti is reported to be looking to identify new players ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2030.
The game is expected to draw significant attention across India, and the encounter has been framed around four individual matchups that could influence the outcome. Panama, the side India drew with, played at the FIFA World Cup 2026; India went into half-time against Panama with the lead thanks to Williams’s goal. The Brazil squad arrives with several selection questions after their Australia friendlies.
On the right flank, 21-year-old Abhishek Singh Tekcham will be tasked with containing Vinicius Junior. Abhishek played all 13 games in his debut season for Mohun Bagan and registered over 75 defensive contributions, and the report notes his display against Panama was "top notch." Vinicius is a Real Madrid winger who finished as Brazil’s top scorer at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with four goals and is described as a pace and agility threat.
Central defence versus attack is highlighted by Anwar Ali against Endrick. Anwar, 26, has made 36 appearances for India and was a regular for East Bengal during their Indian Super League 2025-26 title campaign, contributing goals and clean sheets. Endrick, 20, is said to be short of minutes at Real Madrid after a positive loan at Olympique Lyon where he scored eight goals and provided eight assists; with Raphinha unavailable for the Brazil game, Endrick will be tasked to supply the goals.
In midfield, 25-year-old Apuia will be measured against Bruno Guimaraes. Apuia is noted for positional discipline and tempo control rather than goals, while Bruno scored in Brazil’s 4-2 win over Australia and is described as having been consistent for Newcastle United, a form that "earned him a move to Arsenal over the summer."
Upfront, Ryan Williams’s form will be tested against Marquinhos. Williams, a Bengaluru FC player, has scored two goals in three appearances for India, including the strike that secured the 1-1 draw with Panama. Marquinhos is identified as Brazil’s captain, a back-to-back UEFA Champions League winner, and a defender who has kept clean sheets against some of the world’s top players; the article states chances for India are expected to be limited, making this matchup potentially decisive.
India will play Brazil on October 3 at the VYBK Stadium in Kolkata.