Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has named a 26-player squad for the national team's November friendlies against Japan and Singapore, with Raphinha, Vinícius Júnior, Endrick and Estêvão among the forwards selected. The matches will both be played at the National Stadium in Singapore, on November 14 and 17 respectively, and will complete Brazil's international programme for 2026.
The squad, announced at the Brazilian Football Confederation headquarters in Rio de Janeiro on October 29, continues Ancelotti's effort to refresh the five-time world champions after their disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign. The Associated Press reported that 15 members of the group are under 23, while nine are of Olympic age.
Established names retained as Brazil look ahead
Raphinha, Vinícius Júnior and Endrick headline the attacking group, with Estêvão also returning to the squad. Raphinha is included despite questions about his match sharpness following an injury, while Vinícius and Endrick give Ancelotti familiar attacking options from Real Madrid. The selection also features Manchester City's Allan, Bournemouth's Rayan and Shakhtar Donetsk's Alisson Santana.
The midfield group includes Andrey Santos, Bruno Guimarães, Danilo Santos, Gabriel Bontempo, João Gomes, André Luiz and Marlon Gomes. In defence, Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhães is among the more experienced choices, alongside Carlos Augusto, Douglas Santos, Jair Cunha, Jonathan Jesus, Vanderson, Vitor Reis, Wesley and Arthur Dias.
The three goalkeepers named are Bento, who plays for Al-Nassr, Lucas Perri of Torino and Pedro Morisco of Coritiba. The overall list blends players based in Europe with a smaller group from Brazil's domestic league.
Four first-time call-ups in the 26-player list
Agência Brasil reported that four players have received their first opportunity to represent the senior national team: defender Arthur Dias of Athletico-PR, defender Jonathan Jesus of Cruzeiro, midfielder Marlon Gomes and forward Alisson Santana, both of Shakhtar Donetsk. Their inclusion reflects the coaching staff's intention to widen the pool of players ahead of the next international cycle.
Ancelotti's selections also respond to a shortage of options in central midfield. Agência Brasil reported that the coach discussed the need to find more players in that area, contrasting the depth available among young defenders and attackers with the smaller number of midfield candidates. Gabriel Bontempo is among the younger midfielders included in the group.
The squad announcement is Ancelotti's eighth since taking charge of Brazil, according to the CBF announcement coverage. It is also the second selection after the 2026 World Cup, where Brazil exited in the round of 16 against Norway. The November camp therefore offers another chance to assess players as the team begins to shape its next competitive cycle.
CBF balances national selection with domestic title race
One notable feature of the squad is the absence of players from Flamengo and Palmeiras. Both clubs are competing for the Brazilian league title, and the CBF opted not to call up their players during a decisive period of the domestic season.
Brazilian outlet ge.globo reported that the federation had discussed the calendar issue with the clubs and used a policy of selecting no more than one player from each Brazilian club, with Flamengo and Palmeiras excluded because of their title challenge. The federation's football director, Rodrigo Caetano, said the approach was intended to balance the national team's needs with the domestic competition. The clubs contacted about selected players did not object, according to that report.
The decision means that the domestic representation is spread across clubs such as Athletico-PR, Corinthians, Botafogo, Santos and Cruzeiro rather than drawing from the leading title contenders. It also gives Ancelotti a squad shaped partly by the demands of the Brazilian league calendar.
Singapore double-header closes the 2026 schedule
Brazil's first assignment will be against Japan on November 14, with kick-off listed at 7:15 a.m. Brasília time. The fixture carries a recent competitive context: the two sides will meet for the first time since the 2026 World Cup. Ancelotti described Japan as organised and competitive in comments reported by Agência Brasil, and expected a demanding test for his team.
Three days later, Brazil will face Singapore at 7 a.m. Brasília time. It will be the first meeting between the two senior national teams. Both matches will take place at the National Stadium, allowing Brazil to complete the two-game window from the same base.
The November fixtures will give Ancelotti further opportunities to assess new call-ups alongside established names such as Raphinha and Vinícius Júnior. With a large share of the squad under 23, the selection makes clear that youth development is a central part of Brazil's planning, even as experienced players remain part of the team's immediate plans.
Frequently asked questions
When will Brazil play Japan and Singapore in November 2026?
Brazil will face Japan on November 14 and Singapore on November 17. Both friendlies are scheduled at the National Stadium in Singapore and will bring Brazil's international match programme for 2026 to a close.
Who are the main forwards in Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil squad?
The 26-player squad includes Raphinha of Barcelona, Vinícius Júnior and Endrick of Real Madrid, Estêvão of Chelsea, Allan of Manchester City, Rayan of Bournemouth and Alisson Santana of Shakhtar Donetsk. The group combines established internationals and younger options.
How many players did Carlo Ancelotti call up for Brazil?
Ancelotti selected 26 players for the two November friendlies. The squad has three goalkeepers, eight defenders, seven midfielders and seven forwards, with players drawn from clubs in Brazil and overseas. It is one of the larger groups named for this international window.
Why are there no Flamengo or Palmeiras players in Brazil's squad?
The CBF chose not to select players from Flamengo and Palmeiras because both clubs are competing for the Brazilian league title. The federation said it discussed the selection approach with clubs and applied a limit of one called-up player per Brazilian club, apart from those two title contenders.
Which players received their first Brazil call-ups?
Agência Brasil identified four first-time selections: defender Arthur Dias of Athletico-PR, defender Jonathan Jesus of Cruzeiro, forward Alisson Santana and midfielder Marlon Gomes, both of Shakhtar Donetsk. The call-ups form part of the squad's youth-focused renewal.