Luciano Juba is on Brazil's preliminary squad list for November's friendlies. The 27-year-old Bahia left-back is under consideration for the matches against Japan and Singapore, scheduled for the 14th and 17th respectively.

The information was confirmed this Sunday. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti's official squad announcement will be made this coming Thursday, October 29th, with 26 players to be called up. "The Italian coach's call-up will be announced this Thursday, with 26 players called," said Ancelotti.

Impressive Form

Juba's potential call-up comes after a standout season in the Brazilian Championship. The defender has scored 11 goals in the 2026 Série A, a tally that puts him fourth in the competition's scoring charts, level with Kaio Jorge and Carlos Vinícius. Only Viveros, Pedro, and Gabigol have scored more. Since joining Bahia in 2023, Juba has netted 23 times, making him the second-highest scoring defender in the club's history. His contract with Bahia runs until 2029.

Juba was previously called up by Ancelotti in 2025 and was on the preliminary list for the 2026 World Cup. His current inclusion reinforces the coach's policy of selecting in-form domestic players. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) aims to minimise the impact on clubs by prioritising players whose teams are willing to release them for these fixtures.

National Team Context

Brazil heads into these friendlies in good form. The team beat India 4-0 in their last match on October 3rd, with goals from Estevão, Pedro, and a brace from Samuel Lino. Their recent three-match record shows two wins and a draw, and they are currently on a two-game winning run. Prior to the victory over India, the team defeated Australia 4-2 on September 29th, following a 1-1 draw with the same opponent on September 25th. The next challenge is the trip to Japan on November 14th, the first of the two scheduled friendlies. The squad returns to Brazil on the 19th.

Juba's return to Ancelotti's setup would be a recognition of his consistent performances, as the national team looks to solidify its defensive options ahead of the upcoming fixtures. The team's attack has been potent, with Vinícius Júnior the squad's top scorer this season with 4 goals in 5 appearances.

More detail at Globo Esporte