Brazil v Senegal live: Team news and line-ups as nations collide in friendly at Emirates Stadium | OneFootball

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Ancelotti adamant Vinicius Jr & Rodrygo can co-exist for Brazil

London’s Emirates Stadium will play host to two nations raring for next summer’s World Cup as five-time winners Brazil take on Senegal.

The Selecao had a stop-start qualifying campaign but have already secured a berth at next summer’s World Cup courtesy of a win over Paraguay in June, while five-time Africa Cup of Nations champions Senegal beat Mauritania in the African qualifiers to seal their spot.

It’s been two years since the pair last met, which saw Senegal come out victorious thanks to a brace from former Liverpool star Sadio Mane. They now collide with World Cup preparations on the mind, with Arsenal defender Gabriel in line to feature on familiar London turf.

Brazil v Senegal – live

The players are in the tunnel. A reminder of the two line-ups this afternoon:

Brazil XI: Ederson; Marquinhos, Militao, Gabriel, Sandro; Casemiro, Guimaraes; Estevao, Cunha, Rodrygo; Vinicius Jr.

Senegal XI: Mendy, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Mendy, Jakobs, Gana Gueye, PM Sarr, Pape Gueye, I Sarr, Ndiaye, Mane.

Lawrence Ostlere15 November 2025 15:57

Militao set to start at right-back

"Militao has a different profile from other right-backs. I'm going to ask for something different in terms of quality and style of play," Ancelotti added.

"It's an option we can use in the World Cup to give the team more solidity at the back, but we conceded three goals against Japan, we've assessed our mistakes and we'll try to improve in that area to play a good game."

Eder Militao warms up at the Emirates Stadium (Getty Images)

Ancelotti determined to build defensive stability

Carlo Ancelotti may still be wrestling with Portuguese but the Italian is increasingly comfortable in his role as Brazil coach as he fields an experimental defensive line-up at the Emirates.

The 3-2 defeat by Japan last month served as a wake-up call for Ancelotti, whose side prior to the Japanese fight-back in Tokyo had conceded one goal in his first five matches.

That defensive collapse when leading 2-0 at halftime has prompted tactical soul-searching, with Real Madrid centre-back Eder Militao set to start at right-back against Senegal as the coach continues to search for reliable full-backs.

"The defence was a key part in Brazil's last (World Cup) victories," Ancelotti said, drawing inspiration from the country's 1994 and 2002 World Cup triumphs.

"(A) team with fantastic individuality, who enjoyed the game but knew how not to get exposed ... I remember 1994, a team with two defensive midfielders, very tight at the back and with Bebeto and Romario (up front) to make the difference.

"That's what I think for the World Cup. A solid defence helps quality players make the difference.”

Lawrence Ostlere15 November 2025 15:48

Line-ups coming shortly

The teams will be out very soon, with Vinicius Jr likely to lead the Brazilian attack, playing alongside plenty of Premier League stars including Matheus Cunha, Estevao, Casemiro and Gabriel.

Lawrence Ostlere15 November 2025 14:45

Who can qualify for the World Cup this week?

World Cup qualifying is hurtling towards a conclusion with some of the final places ahead of the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico up for grabs over the coming days.

So far, 30 teams have booked their places in what has already been a historic campaign for three first-time qualifiers, with Jordan, Uzbekistan and the Cape Verde islands all through to the 48-team finals.

England, France and Croatia are the only European teams to have qualified so far but the other nine group winners will be gradually confirmed in the next few days as the first round of qualifying finally concludes.

Here’s everything you need to know:

Who can qualify for the World Cup this week?

Norway, Jamaica and Scotland are among the countries attempting to qualify for the World Cup over the coming days

Luke Baker15 November 2025 14:35

Last time out: Brazil stunned by Japan

In Brazil’s most recent match, Japan staged a remarkable second-half comeback to defeat the five-time world champions 3-2 in a friendly at a sold-out Tokyo Stadium

It was a first-ever win for Japan over the South Americans in 14 meetings as both sides’s World Cup 2026 preparations continued.

Trailing 2-0 at half-time after goals from Paulo Henrique and Gabriel Martinelli, the hosts capitalised on Brazilian defensive errors before Ayase Ueda's late header sealed a famous victory to give Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti plenty to ponder.

Takumi Minamino halved the deficit in the 52nd minute after Fabricio Bruno's misplaced pass allowed the forward to score from just inside the box. Nine minutes later, Bruno’s dismal night worsened as he sliced an attempted clearance into his own net to level the match.

With the home crowd in full voice, Japan pressed for a winner. Substitute Junya Ito provided the decisive moment, delivering a pinpoint corner in the 71st minute which Ueda met with a powerful header after beating defender Lucas Beraldo to the ball.

Japan celebrated a historic win over Brazil last month (REUTERS)

Vinicius apologises to Real Madrid fans for controversial reaction to El Clasico sub

Things haven’t been straightforward for Brazil star Vinicius Jr recently.

Last month, the superstar issued a public apology to Real Madrid fans following his angry reaction to being substituted in El Clasico win over Barcelona.

Vinicius stormed straight down the tunnel and appeared to have words for his manager Xabi Alonso after being brought off in the 71st minute.

And while the 25-year-old said in his statement that he had apologised to his Madrid team-mates and club president Florentino Perez, there was no mention of Alonso.