Brazil make seven changes for historic India friendly

Star Sports Desk

Five-time world champions Brazil face India for the first time in an international friendly, with the historic match taking place at Kolkata’s Yuva Bharati Stadium. 

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has made several changes to his starting XI, leaving out key defender Gabriel Magalhaes and midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.

Ancelotti has made seven changes to the Brazil XI that started their most recent match against Australia in Brisbane. Guimaraes, Gabriel, goalkeeper Otavio, Vanderson, Jair, Mauro Junior and the injured Raphinha have all been left out.

As part of his policy of giving new players opportunities, Ancelotti has brought Marquinhos, Matheusinho and Douglas Santos back into the starting XI. Pedro Morisco and Arthur Dias have also been handed starts.

Vinicius Junior, one of Brazil’s two goalscorers in the previous match, retains his place in attack, while Pedro comes into the XI.

For India, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is captaining the side and making his 90th international appearance while also taking charge of the goalkeeping duties. Manvir Singh and Ryan Williams will lead the attack alongside Ashique Kuruniyan.

 

Fans wave India's national flag near the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on October 3, 2026, before the start of the international friendly football match between India and Brazil. Photo: AFP 

Brazil starting XI

Goalkeeper: Pedro Morisco

Defenders: Matheusinho, Marquinhos (captain), Danilo Santos, Douglas Santos

Midfielders: Arthur Dias, Andre Santos, Gabriel Bontempo

Forwards: Estevao, Vinicius Junior, Pedro

 

India starting XI

Goalkeeper: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (captain)

Outfield players: Abhishek Singh Tekcham, Anwar Ali, Bijoy Varghese, Akash Mishra, Anirudh Thapa, Lalengmawia, Manvir Singh, Ryan Williams, Sahal Abdul Samad, Ashique Kuruniyan