The Brazil national football team begins a new cycle with an Asian tour and the potential debut of fullback Vanderson. According to reports from Khel Now, the Monaco defender is likely to be included in Carlo Ancelotti's final squad for the September friendlies.
The side is in a generational shift after their 2026 World Cup exit. A 2-1 defeat to Norway on July 5th ended their campaign in the Round of 16. The focus now is on rebuilding. Brazil tops their World Cup qualifying group with 7 points from 3 games and a +6 goal difference. The next official match is away to Australia on September 25th. The final squad for the Asia trip is set to be announced on Wednesday, as reported.
Who is Vanderson and why does he matter
Vanderson is a 24-year-old right-back who has impressed at Monaco, making over 100 appearances for the French club. His potential call-up comes as Brazil seeks a long-term solution for the right-back position. Since the 2014 World Cup, the spot has been a question mark, with spells from Dani Alves and Danilo, who was the starter in the last World Cup.
The Khel Now report notes that players like Emerson Royal, Roger Ibanez, and Yan Couto failed to make an impact during the latest campaign. Including Vanderson represents a bet on a younger name in good form in European football. You can follow the full squad list on our squad page.
What is the schedule for the Asia tour
The first FIFA window after the World Cup will see Brazil play two friendlies in Australia. Afterwards, the team will travel to India to face the national side at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. This will mark the first time the Brazil national team plays on Indian soil.
These matches signal a fresh start after a period of assessment. The team's recent form across the last five games is three wins, one draw, and one loss. The sequence of results (LWWWD) shows a recovery after the World Cup setback. The team's full schedule can be found in our fixtures section.
What is the current right-back landscape
The lack of a definitive owner for the position is a long-standing issue. Cafu and Roberto Carlos are reminders of a golden era for Brazilian fullbacks. In the last decade, the attacking creativity from the flank has diminished considerably.
Danilo was chosen for most matches at the 2026 World Cup, but his lack of attacking flair was often criticized. Vanderson's call-up signals Ancelotti's attempt to inject new energy and quality into the right side. The stat of just one goal conceded in qualifying so far shows a solid defense, but attacking thrust from fullback could be enhanced. See more data from the campaign in our stats section.
The confirmation of the squad for Asia is expected at 11:30 PM IST on Wednesday. The first test is against Australia on September 25th.
