Ancelotti includes Raphinha in Brazil squad for friendlies in Asia

Brazil Calls Raphinha for November Friendlies in Singapore

FC Barcelona forward Raphinha faces another taxing international break after being selected in Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for upcoming friendlies in Singapore, SPORT reported. The national team will travel 10,900 kilometers from Barcelona to face Japan on November 14 and Singapore on November 17.

Neutral Venue in Southeast Asia Increases Travel Strain

The fixtures take place at a neutral venue in Southeast Asia, adding significant travel strain to the Brazilian attacker’s schedule. The match against Japan is scheduled for Saturday, November 14, followed by the fixture against tournament hosts Singapore on Tuesday, November 17, at local venue times.

🚨JUST IN: Carlo Ancelotti could call up Raphinha for Brazil’s November friendlies. The Barcelona winger could return to the national team setup ahead of Brazil’s upcoming fixtures.— @joaquimpiera pic.twitter.com/NlUe2PcHZ0

— https://x.com/FootballXtraa__/status/2115352967452729697

CBF Exempts Players from Brazilian Title and Relegation Battles

Ancelotti announced his squad selections with specific accommodations made for the domestic Brazilian league. Because the Brasileirão has only four matchdays remaining after the international window, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) agreed not to summon players from clubs embroiled in title races or relegation battles. However, no such reciprocal protections were extended to European clubs or players based abroad, leaving Barcelona’s coaching staff exposed to potential squad disruption.

Previous Injuries Straining Club Relations

Barcelona’s concerns are rooted in a troubling history of injuries sustained during international duty with the Verdeamarela. Raphinha has suffered physical setbacks in each of his last three call-ups. He picked up an injury during a March international window that sidelined him for five weeks—a critical stretch during which Barcelona exited both the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League against Atlético Madrid. He suffered another setback during the second match of the 2026 World Cup, followed by his most recent muscle issue sustained during an Australia versus Brazil friendly in Brisbane on September 29, 2026.

Fitness Concerns Ahead of International Travel

The forward has yet to recover his peak competitive form following the Brisbane fixture on September 29, making the long-haul journey to Asia a high-risk venture for the Catalan club. Prior to the September setback, the Brazilian attacker was enjoying the most productive start of his career, operating as one of the most efficient central attackers in global football.

Barcelona Seeks Compromise on Raphinha Workload and Travel

Barcelona officials face a tight window to negotiate with the Brazilian technical staff regarding Raphinha’s workload and travel itinerary. Without a compromise between club sporting directors and the CBF hierarchy, the player must report for duty ahead of the November 14 fixture in Singapore.