🇧🇷🚨 Forest Latest: Jair Cunha Receives His First Brazil Call-Up
Nottingham Forest defender Jair Cunha has received the biggest international recognition of his young career after being selected for the Brazil senior national team for the first time. The 21-year-old centre-back was included in Carlo Ancelotti’s first Brazil squad following the 2026 World Cup, marking a major milestone in his rapid development.
Jair’s selection is particularly significant because Ancelotti is beginning a new cycle with Brazil. The Italian manager has made clear that he wants to build a younger and more competitive squad capable of developing towards the 2030 World Cup. Jair is one of eight players receiving their first senior call-up, underlining the confidence Ancelotti has in the next generation of Brazilian talent.
For Jair himself, the announcement represents the fulfilment of a lifelong dream. The defender admitted that reaching the Brazil senior team has required years of sacrifice, hard work and perseverance from both himself and his family.
He described the moment as the realization of a dream he had carried since childhood and expressed his determination to make the most of the opportunity.
The call-up also represents another impressive step in a career that has developed quickly. Jair began his professional career at Santos before moving to Botafogo in 2025. Only a few months after joining the Rio de Janeiro club, he completed a move to Nottingham Forest for a reported €12 million.
Standing at 1.98 metres tall, Jair possesses an imposing physical presence that can be extremely valuable for a modern centre-back. He has also represented Brazil at youth level, including the Under-20 South American Championship in 2025, giving him previous experience of wearing the national colours.
His progress at Nottingham Forest has now taken another step forward. Jair started the current season as a regular starter and had featured in all four of Forest’s matches at the time of his selection. His performances have clearly caught the attention of Ancelotti and the Brazil coaching staff.
Brazil’s new-look squad contains a mixture of established stars and emerging talent. Players such as VinÃcius Júnior, Raphinha, Bruno Guimarães, Gabriel Magalhães and Marquinhos remain involved, while Jair and the other newcomers have been given an opportunity to establish themselves in the national setup.
Brazil will face Australia twice during the upcoming international window, with matches scheduled for September 25 and September 29. The team will then face India on October 3 in what will be Brazil’s first meeting with the Indian national side.
For Nottingham Forest supporters, Jair’s selection is another indication of the defender’s growing reputation. A player who only recently arrived in England is now being trusted by one of the most decorated managers in world football.
Whether Jair makes his senior debut immediately remains to be seen, but simply being part of Ancelotti’s squad is a significant achievement.
For Jair Cunha, the journey from Santos to Botafogo, then Nottingham Forest and now the Brazil senior team has reached a remarkable new chapter. At just 21, his international story may only be beginning.
