Vinicius Junior last played in India in 2016; to return with Brazil for October 3 friendly

Vinicius Junior last played in India in 2016, appearing for Brazil at the BRICS U-17 Football Cup in Goa. Brazil will face India at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) Stadium in Kolkata on 3 October 2026.

The VYBK Stadium in Kolkata is preparing to host the friendly on 3 October 2026 between India and Brazil, with the five-time FIFA World Cup winners making what the report describes as their first appearance on Indian soil. Khalid Jamil announced a 26-man Indian squad earlier this month, and the Brazilian federation has confirmed the players who will travel with Carlo Ancelotti for the match. Vinicius Junior has been named among the players linked to the trip and is expected to be one of the most high-profile members of the visiting side.

Vinicius scored four goals for Brazil at the FIFA World Cup 2026, a tally cited in the squad coverage ahead of the Kolkata friendly. The article identifies the Real Madrid forward as a principal name in Brazil’s lineup for the India match.

The BRICS U-17 Football Cup in Goa in 2016 featured U-17 sides from Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa in a five-team tournament hosted by India. Brazil topped the round-robin, beat all of their opponents and conceded just one goal, which secured direct qualification to the final. South Africa finished second while Russia, China and India placed third, fourth and fifth respectively.

In the final Brazil defeated South Africa 5-1 to claim their second BRICS U-17 Football Cup title. Vinicius finished as the tournament’s top scorer with four goals, one of which came in the final.

By 2017 Vinicius had been prominent at Flamengo and was named in Brazil’s U-17 squad for the U-17 FIFA World Cup in India after finishing as top scorer in the South American U-17 Championship 2017 and helping Brazil qualify. As per reports, Flamengo had an agreement with the Brazilian Football Confederation that Vinicius would be allowed to play in the U-17 World Cup only if the club won the Copa do Brasil; Flamengo lost the final, Vinicius was refused the release and the Brazil U-17 coach selected a replacement.

Vinicius is among the players referenced as travelling with Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for the Kolkata friendly. Brazil will play India on October 3 at the VYBK Stadium, Kolkata.