Jair Cunha Earns First Brazil Call-Up After Tough Start at Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest defender Jair Cunha says his difficult first months in England helped prepare him for a first senior Brazil call-up, with the 21-year-old now in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for the September and October internationals in Australia and India.
Jair, who joined Forest from Botafogo in 2025 after coming through Santos’ academy, spoke in Brisbane after being selected for Brazil’s FIFA Super Date fixtures. The centre-back has made five appearances for Forest this season and is targeting a place among Brazil’s defensive options as he steps up from youth international football.
His route to the senior group has included Brazil’s 2025 South American Under-20 Championship triumph in Venezuela. Jair won the country’s 13th title in that competition alongside Arthur Dias, Rayan and Breno Bidon, who have now joined him in the senior squad.
He believes the demands of those youth tournaments will help him adjust to the pressure surrounding a Brazil debut. Jair said representing the youth sides had been important both for his development and for the experience gained from becoming a continental champion, adding that the lessons from those competitions should support his progress with the full national team.
The defender also reflected on a slow start following his move to the Premier League. He initially found opportunities limited at Forest, but said he remained focused on his work rather than becoming discouraged. Increased playing time this season, he said, has allowed him to build confidence and continue improving against elite opposition.
Brazil tour offers debut opportunity
Brazil open the tour against Australia on Friday at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville. The sides meet again on September 29 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane before Ancelotti’s team travel to Kolkata to play India at Salt Lake Stadium on October 3.
For Jair, the fixtures offer the chance to turn his growing role at Nottingham Forest into a first appearance for the Seleção, while reconnecting with several players from Brazil’s successful Under-20 side.
