India v Brazil friendly in Kolkata: Vinicius starts, Gurpreet captains
India will host Brazil in an international friendly at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday, October 3, 2026, with Brazil naming Vinicius Junior in their starting XI and India naming veteran goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu as captain. The match pairs the Blue Tigers against a Brazil side led by Marquinhos and featuring multiple high-profile players on the bench.
Brazil confirmed a starting XI that includes Vinicius Junior and names Marquinhos as captain of the five-time world champions. India have also announced their lineup, with Gurpreet wearing the captain's armband. India plan to remain compact defensively and to use the pace and attacking options of Manvir Singh, Ryan Williams, Sahal Abdul Samad and Muhammed Ashique Kuruniyan.
Brazil starting XI: 1. Pedro Morisco (GK) 2. Marcos Aoas Correa (Marquinhos, captain) 3. Danilo 4. Douglas Santos 5. Vinicius Junior 6. Estevao 7. Matheuzinho 8. Arthur Dias 9. Pedro 10. Andrey Santos 11. Gabriel Bontempo. The head coach has included established names across defence and attack in the XI. Gabriel M, Endrick and Bruno Guimaraes are listed among the substitutes.
India starting XI: 1. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK, captain) 2. Abhishek Singh Tekcham 3. Anwar Ali 4. Bijoy Varghese 5. Akash Mishra 6. Anirudh Thapa 7. Lalengmawia (Apuia) 8. Manvir Singh 9. Ryan Williams 10. Sahal Abdul Samad 11. Muhammed Ashique Kuruniyan. Gurpreet is described in the match report as India’s most experienced footballer and will lead the side from goal. The selected XI combines experienced defenders with attacking forwards intended to test Brazil on the break.
Khalid Jamil has warned his squad about the scale of the challenge and has urged players to keep things simple, stay disciplined and be ready to defend when required. India enter the game having drawn 1-1 with Panama in their previous fixture. Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium has been billed in coverage as a long-awaited setting for Brazil’s visit.
Brazil’s touring squad is described as star-studded in pre-match coverage, with Vinicius Junior, Endrick, Bruno Guimaraes and Marquinhos among the high-profile names available. India, led by Khalid Jamil and captained by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, face a tough assignment against one of world football’s most recognised teams. The friendly provides both countries with an opportunity to test their squads in front of a significant crowd.
The international friendly between India and Brazil is scheduled for Saturday, October 3 at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, with both teams having released their starting XIs ahead of kick-off.
