How can Indian football team line up for their international friendly against Brazil?

The Blue Tigers will face the Seleção on the 3rd of October in Kolkata. India are all set to face the five-time World Cup winners, the Brazilian national football team, on the 3rd of October 2026, at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata.

After a historic draw against the 44th-ranked Panama national football team last friday, the Blue Tigers are geared to lock horns with Brazil as their next opponent in their FIFA window. The match against Brazil will be the first meeting between the two nations and the highest-ranked teams that India have faced since the modern FIFA rankings were introduced.

With headline stars, including the likes of Vinicius Junior, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Bruno Guimaraes, and Endrick, travelling to Kolkata for their clash against India, here is a look at how India could line up for their landmark fixture against Brazil. GK - Gurpreet Singh Sandhu Gurpreet will be key for India against Brazil.

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is yet again expected to start for the Blue Tigers in the historic Brazil clash. The Bengaluru FC goalkeeper started in the match against Panama and looked sharp throughout the game, making some crucial saves and blocks and was also involved in the build-up from the back.

Apart from the second-half goal conceded, where Gurpreet could not have done anything more, the keeper was worth every penny between the sticks. RB - Abhishek Singh Tekcham During the friendly match played between India and Panama, held at Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bangalore, on September 25th 2026 Photos: Rajesh G / AIFF Abhishek Singh was arguably one of the best players for India on the pitch.

The 21-year-old showed high tactical maturity and completely dominated the right flank and nullified the Panama players whenever they made attempts to attack. Apart from that, he was also seen venturing into the attacking half to contribute offensively and displayed a solid performance, worthy of considering him as the choice-one right back.

CB - Bijoy Varghese During the friendly match played between India and Panama, held at Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bangalore, on September 25th 2026 Photos: Rajesh G / AIFF In the absence of Sandesh Jhingan, the Kerala-born defender Bijoy Varghese stepped up to take responsibility in the match against Panama and created a solid fortress, which the Panama players struggled to break past. Bijoy showed aggression in individual ground duels and was clinical in making interceptions, and even made a last-ditch tackle in the last game in stoppage time to help India secure the 1-1 draw.

CB - Anwar Ali Anwar Ali is expected to start against Brazil. Anwar Ali was the heart of the defence and, along with Bijoy, the East Bengal defender ensured that the Indian defence did not succumb in front of Panama.

Anchored the central defence with calm leadership. Intercepted dangerous through balls, won his aerial duels, and was instrumental in building attacks cleanly from the defensive third.