India v Brazil: Preview, team news and lineups for Oct 3 friendly in Kolkata

India will host Brazil in an international friendly at the Salt Lake Stadium (VYBK Stadium), Kolkata, on Saturday, 3 October 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 7:30 PM IST. The fixture is the first-ever professional meeting between the Indian men’s senior team and Brazil’s men’s senior side.

Brazil arrive as five-time FIFA World Cup champions and are expected to pursue an attacking display under Carlo Ancelotti, who will push his players to maintain winning momentum and be ruthless in the final third. India, coached by Khalid Jamil, have spent recent seasons mainly against Asian opponents or lower-ranked sides and will view a positive result as a significant boost after a promising performance against Panama.

Jamil has kept the same group that faced Panama and will emphasise a compact, disciplined defensive shape to limit Brazil’s opportunities, while asking his players to be brave in quick transitions and clinical in the final third. Central defender Anwar Ali has been singled out to organise and anchor India’s back line and will be expected to make crucial clearances and vocalise to keep the team compact.

Carlo Ancelotti will be without Raphinha, who sustained an injury in Brazil’s previous friendly against Australia and has returned to Barcelona. Vinicius Jr, the Real Madrid forward who scored in that game against Australia, is expected to be one of Brazil’s primary attacking threats, running at defenders and creating chances in the final third.

Players named include Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK), Abhishek Singh, Bijoy Varghese, Anwar Ali, Akash Mishra, Lalengmawia Ralte, Anirudh Thapa, Vikram Partap Singh, Ashique Kuruniyan, Ryan Williams, Manvir Singh Morisco (GK); Vanderson, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Mauro Junior; Douglas Luiz, Andrey Santos; Estevao, Bontempo, Vini; Endrick.

The match will be broadcast live on Sony Sports Ten 2 SD & HD and Sony Aath SD & HD (Bengali), and will be available to stream on Sony LIV.

A win or draw for India would be historic for the Blue Tigers, while a heavy defeat would be disappointing after the recent showing against Panama; the international friendly takes place on 3 October at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, with kick-off at 7:30 PM IST and live coverage on Sony Sports Ten 2, Sony Aath and Sony LIV.