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razil Name 26-Man Squad for Historic India Friendly as Arsenal Open Champions League Campaign | Footeo
Brazil Name 26-Man Squad for Historic India Friendly as Arsenal Open Champions League Campaign Carlo Ancelotti has named his first Brazil squad since the World Cup, and it looks nothing like the one that travelled to the tournament three months ago. The 26-man group announced on September 9 drops the average age from 28.8 to 24.4, with eight uncapped players handed their first senior call-ups ahead of Brazil's October 3 friendly against India — their first-ever senior men's fixture on Indian soil. Elsewhere, Arsenal's Champions League campaign got under way with a league-phase trip to Napoli, the latest step in a run that has already produced four wins from four in all competitions this season. Here's what's driving the biggest football stories right now. Ancelotti's Brazil rebuild starts with youth Brazil's last competitive outing ended in a round-of-16 exit to Norway at the 2026 World Cup, and Ancelotti has used his first squad selection since then to signal a genuine reset. Joao Pedro returns after being left out of the World Cup squad, while Estevao, the Chelsea forward, is back in the fold after missing the tournament through injury. Both slot into an attacking group that still features Vinicius Junior and Raphinha, alongside younger options like Endrick, Pedro, Rayan and Samuel Lino. At the back, Marquinhos remains the senior figure, with Gabriel Magalhaes and Vitor Reis also included. The goalkeeping department has been completely overhauled — Hugo Souza, Pedro Morisco and Otavio replace the experienced trio who went to the World Cup. Ten of the 26 players called up currently play their club football in Brazil, another marker of how far Ancelotti has shifted the squad's profile since the summer. Why the India friendly matters Brazil will play Australia twice — on September 25 in Townsville and September 29 in Brisbane — before travelling to Kolkata to face India on October 3 at Salt Lake Stadium. It's a fixture with real weight attached. Brazil are five-time World Cup champions, and this will be their first-ever senior men's match in India, a country where the national team has an enormous following despite India's men's team sitting well outside the world's top tier. The build-up has reportedly included Brazilian staff inspecting the Salt Lake Stadium pitch and training facilities ahead of the visit. Read more: Brazil vs India predictions will be available on FooteoPlay closer to matchday. Arsenal begin their Champions League campaign in Naples While Brazil's news dominated the international window, European club football kept moving too. Arsenal opened their 2026/27 Champions League league-phase campaign away at Napoli at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, arriving in good form after their 2-1 win over Chelsea and a 100% start to the season across all competitions. Napoli, by contrast, arrived off the back of a difficult week — a Serie A loss to Como followed by a dramatic 3-2 collapse against Inter Milan, having led 2-0. That contrast in form made Arsenal's trip to Naples one of the more intriguing fixtures on the opening Champions League matchday. Follow team news and match build-up through FooteoPlay's Premier League and Champions League coverage. What to watch next Two storylines are worth tracking over the coming weeks: Brazil's warm-up matches against Australia (September 25 and 29) will be the first real look at how Ancelotti's younger squad performs together before the trip to India. The early Champions League table will start to take shape as more league-phase fixtures are played through September and October, with Arsenal among the sides expected to challenge at the top of the group. For fans who want to go beyond the headlines, FooteoPlay provides football predictions, match-focused analysis and football news as these stories develop. Frequently Asked Questions When is Brazil vs India? Brazil and India are scheduled to meet on October 3, 2026, at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Who is in Brazil's squad for the India friendly? The squad includes Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, Marquinhos, Joao Pedro and Estevao, alongside eight uncapped players. See the full 26-man list in the article above. Has Brazil played in India before? No — the October 3 fixture will be Brazil's first-ever senior men's international match played in India. When did Arsenal play Napoli in the Champions League? Arsenal faced Napoli away at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona as part of their 2026/27 Champions League league-phase opener.
Football News Today: Arsenal Beat Chelsea, Man United Stunned & Brazil Prepare for India
Football news today: Arsenal beat Chelsea, Everton stun Man United, Barcelona thrash Valencia, Inter beat Napoli and Brazil prepare for India. Arsenal, Manchester United, Barcelona and Inter Milan headline the latest football news, while Brazil's preparations for their historic India friendly add another major talking point.