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Ancelotti Hails Brazil's Global Fanbase, Addresses India's Football Culture Ahead of Friendly
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News18•23-09-2026, 09:17
Ancelotti Hails Brazil's Global Fanbase, Addresses India's Football Culture Ahead of Friendly
- •Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti emphasized the importance of his team's history and global fanbase, expressing pleasure in playing their first-ever senior men's game on Indian soil.
- •The friendly marks India's highest-ranked opponent since 1992, with Brazil currently ranked No. 5 in the world.
- •Ancelotti named a star-studded 26-man squad including Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior and Endrick, and Barcelona's Raphinha, to face India.
- •Ancelotti highlighted that while it's a friendly, playing for the national team always demands their best, and they are focused on building a new generation of players.
- •He noted India's lack of a strong football culture as a major obstacle, stressing the need to develop one to nurture future footballers, despite their prowess in other sports.
Key Questions Answered
India will face five-time World Cup champions Brazil in an international friendly at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on October 3, 2026.
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti named a star-studded 26-man team for the fixture, headlined by Real Madrid duo Vinicius Junior and Endrick alongside Barcelona captain Raphinha.
Carlo Ancelotti stated that India does not currently have a strong football culture, which remains a major obstacle, but noted that they are good in other sports and need to work on nurturing a new generation of players.
