SINGAPORE – Football fans in Singapore are in for a samba treat as some of football’s biggest stars are set to grace The Kallang’s National Stadium in November.

Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr, Arsenal duo Gabriel Magalhaes and Bruno Guimaraes, and Barcelona forward Raphinha are part of Brazil’s squad for the world No. 6 side’s upcoming international friendlies against Japan and Singapore here.

The 26-man squad, unveiled by Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti on Oct 29, also features 15 players under the age of 23, signalling a move towards developing the next generation of samba kings.

Other notable names in the five-time world champion’s squad for the Mizuho Blue Challenge – The Kallang Football Series Singapore include Chelsea’s 19-year-old rising star Estevao and Vinicius’ clubmate Endrick.

“We hope he (Estevao) can show all the quality he has,” Ancelotti told ESPN.

“As long as we believe he could be useful to the national team, we will follow his progress, allowing him the opportunity to develop at a natural pace, as it’s appropriate for a 19-year-old.”

Brazilian fan Matheus Sena, a senior tax manager based in Singapore, noted that the squad who played at the recent World Cup are “somewhat aged”, adding that Ancelotti will be testing youngsters during this window.

“The Copa America and Olympic Games are still two years away and this is the time to test these players to build the team,” said the 39-year-old.

“Players like Alisson (Becker) don’t need to be tested any more and he wants to give opportunities to younger players. Meanwhile, players like Vini Jr and Raphinha are still young and this is a chance to step up as leaders of this upcoming generation.”

Sena is looking forward to the games here, adding: “I expect a good (turnout) as Brazil and Japan naturally attract the crowds. Singapore as the local team playing and testing themselves against stronger teams can get the local crowd excited to see them getting a historic result.

“The pressure against Singapore will be similar to when we faced India. The Brazilian press and supporters will expect Brazil to win comfortably and if Singapore gives them a hard time, they will be criticised heavily.”

The tournament will see four matches played between Nov 13 and 17.

Hosts Singapore will take on Paraguay in the opening game on Nov 13, before a rematch of Brazil and Japan’s World Cup pulsating round-of-32 clash, which Brazil won 2-1, takes place on Nov 14.

The series concludes on Nov 17 with Singapore playing Brazil, before world No. 17 Japan take on 33rd-ranked Paraguay, who beat Germany in the round of 32 at the World Cup.

Singapore fan Balbindar Kaur, who had travelled to Indonesia to support the Lions during the recent FIFA ASEAN Cup, noted that “Brazil haven’t played samba football in 30 years”.

The 64-year-old retiree said: “I don’t really care for them… Still they are well-trained and talented players, though they didn’t do well in the World Cup this year.”

When asked how she thinks the Lions will fare, she said: “The Mizuho Blue Challenge is a friendly series so I hope that Gavin Lee will get young players (Raoul Suhaimi, Ryhan Stewart, Hami Syahin, Jacob Mahler, Syazwan Buhari) on the pitch and play 90 minutes.

“I don’t care if they lose but the team has to be refreshed and they are running out of time before the Asian Cup finals begin.

“I’m excited to see Paraguay; they were a tough team to beat at the World Cup and the Japanese team don’t play the usual European style – and that is fun.”

Tickets for the Lions’ opening game against Paraguay start from $28, while those for the Brazil-Japan match are priced from $98. Fans will get the chance to watch both Nov 17 matches on a single ticket, also from $98.

Tickets can be purchased online at The Kallang’s website.