How India could line up for the friendly against Brazil in Kolkata
India will meet Brazil in an international friendly at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on 3 October 2026, a fixture scheduled in the current FIFA window. The match follows India’s 1-1 draw with 44th-ranked Panama last Friday and will be the first-ever meeting between the two nations.
Brazil, the five-time World Cup winners, have travelled to Kolkata with stars including Vinicius Junior, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Bruno Guimaraes and Endrick expected to feature in the Seleção squad for the friendly. The encounter is the highest-ranked opponent India have faced since the introduction of the modern FIFA rankings, and Brazil have already landed in the city ahead of the game.
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is expected to keep goal after starting against Panama, where he made several crucial saves and blocks and was active in build-up play; the second-half goal conceded was described as one he could not have prevented. Abhishek Singh, 21, impressed on the right flank with tactical maturity, regular forward forays and defensive interventions, earning consideration as India’s first-choice right back.
In the centre of defence, Bijoy Varghese stepped up in Sandesh Jhingan’s absence against Panama, showing aggression in ground duels and producing a last-ditch tackle in stoppage time to secure the 1-1 draw. Anwar Ali, identified as the East Bengal defender, formed the other half of the central pairing, intercepting through balls, winning aerial duels and helping to initiate attacks from the defensive third.
On the left and in wider areas, Akash Mishra’s recent form continued after his AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers goal against Hong Kong; he supplied a long ball to Ryan Williams that led to India’s opener versus Panama and contributed progressive passes alongside defensive solidity. Vikram Partap Singh provided consistent high pressing, winning possession and forcing opponents into errors, and is likely to feature in the starting eleven.
Apuia controlled the tempo in central midfield, resisting pressure, linking defence to attack and disrupting Panama’s build-up, and is expected to be part of the starting lineup. Anirudh Thapa was introduced in the second half against Panama to add defensive stability and maintain possession under pressure as the match closed.
The forward trio that troubled Panama — Ashique, Manvir and Ryan Williams — are projected to continue together against Brazil. Ashique offered physicality, pace and a couple of teasing crosses despite occasional positional shakiness; Manvir held up play, occupied defenders and supplied crosses and cut-backs; Ryan Williams led the line, scored a late first-half goal to break the deadlock and combined off-the-ball movement with persistent pressing.
Khalid Jamil remains India’s head coach and will finalise his selection from the players who featured against Panama, many of whom are tipped to start in Kolkata. India will face Brazil on 3 October 2026 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata in what will be their first meeting with the five-time World Cup winners.