Singapore football is preparing for two of its biggest international tests of the year after national coach Gavin Lee unveiled a 24-man squad for upcoming friendlies against Paraguay and five-time world champions Brazil.
The Lions will face Paraguay on November 13 before taking on Brazil on November 17, with both matches scheduled at the National Stadium as part of the inaugural Mizuho Blue Challenge – The Kallang Football Series Singapore.
The fixtures offer Singapore an opportunity to measure its progress against opponents accustomed to competing at the highest level of international football.
But the squad announcement is also about the future of the national team.
Among the selections is 21-year-old Balestier Khalsa midfielder Woo Chun Wei, who has received his first senior international call-up after impressing in the Singapore Premier League.
Lee has also recalled Hougang United midfielder Saifullah Akbar and Geylang International defenders Joshua Pereira and Darren Teh.
Meanwhile, several familiar names remain in the squad, including captain Hariss Harun, Safuwan Baharudin, Shawal Anuar and Ilhan Fandi.
For Singapore, the challenge is significant. The Lions are coming off a disappointing FIFA ASEAN Cup campaign and will now face two South American teams with considerably more international pedigree.
Woo Chun Wei earns his first senior Lions call-up
One of the biggest talking points from Lee’s announcement is the inclusion of Woo Chun Wei.
The 21-year-old midfielder has earned his first senior national-team selection following a series of encouraging performances for Balestier Khalsa.
Lee praised Woo’s maturity and consistency, particularly considering his age, and highlighted how well he has adapted to the demands of the domestic league.
The call-up represents an important opportunity for a young player looking to establish himself at international level.
Facing Paraguay and Brazil could provide valuable experience, although selection in the 24-man squad does not guarantee that Woo will feature in either match.
His inclusion also reflects Lee’s willingness to assess younger players while maintaining a core of experienced internationals.
For a national team preparing for a major continental competition, developing more options across the squad will be essential.
Three players return as injuries force changes
Woo is not the only player attracting attention.
Lee has also brought back three familiar faces:
- Saifullah Akbar – Hougang United midfielder.
- Joshua Pereira – Geylang International defender.
- Darren Teh – Geylang International defender.
Their returns add depth to the squad as Singapore prepares for two demanding encounters.
However, the selection has also been affected by several absences.
Lion City Sailors full-back Nur Adam Abdullah is unavailable after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during a Singapore Premier League match against Young Lions on October 11. The injury required surgery and is expected to keep him out for an extended period.
Forward Ikhsan Fandi, who plays for Japan’s Thespa Gunma, is also unavailable because of injury.
Cardiff City defender Perry Ng has been left out as he and his partner await the birth of their first child.
Ng’s absence is particularly notable because his recent acquisition of Singapore citizenship had raised expectations that he could strengthen the national team.
His citizenship was confirmed in September, bringing him closer to representing the Lions after years of professional football in the United Kingdom. However, citizenship alone does not automatically complete FIFA’s international eligibility requirements.
WWC One Media previously examined his journey in its report, Perry Ng Gains Singapore Citizenship and Moves Closer to Lions Debut.
The 24-man Singapore squad for Brazil and Paraguay
Lee’s selection combines established internationals, domestic-league performers and players gaining opportunities to establish themselves at senior level.
The full squad is:
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Izwan Mahbud (Young Lions), Ridhuan Barudin (Hougang United), Syazwan Buhari (Tampines Rovers) |
| Defenders | Hariss Harun (Lion City Sailors), Joshua Pereira (Geylang International), Raoul Suhaimi (Tampines Rovers), Safuwan Baharudin (Selangor FC), Ryhan Stewart (Lion City Sailors), Lionel Tan (Lion City Sailors), Darren Teh (Geylang International) |
| Midfielders | Joel Chew (Young Lions), Farhan Zulkifli (Lion City Sailors), Hami Syahin (Lion City Sailors), Haziq Kamarudin (FC Jurong), Glenn Kweh (Lion City Sailors), Jacob Mahler (Tampines Rovers), Kyoga Nakamura (Lion City Sailors), Saifullah Akbar (Hougang United), Shah Shahiran (Tampines Rovers), Song Ui-young (Lion City Sailors), Harhys Stewart (Chiangrai United), Woo Chun Wei (Balestier Khalsa) |
| Forwards | Ilhan Fandi (Lion City Sailors), Shawal Anuar (Lion City Sailors) |
Lion City Sailors have the strongest club representation, contributing 10 players to the national squad.
The presence of experienced players such as Hariss Harun and Safuwan Baharudin will be important as the younger members adjust to the demands of international football.
Hariss, in particular, remains a significant figure for Singapore. The captain has accumulated 158 international appearances, making his leadership valuable against technically strong opponents.
Singapore faces Paraguay first before a major Brazil showdown
The Lions’ two fixtures will present different challenges.
November 13: Singapore vs Paraguay
Paraguay will be Singapore’s first opponent in the Mizuho Blue Challenge.
The South American side is ranked among the world’s top 35 national teams and is known for its physical approach, defensive organisation and competitive style.
Paraguay’s recent international progress makes it a difficult opponent, particularly for a Singapore side seeking to improve its ability to compete against stronger teams.
For Lee, the opening match will be an opportunity to assess how well his players can maintain their shape, manage possession and deal with the intensity of South American football.
November 17: Singapore vs Brazil
The second fixture will bring one of international football’s most recognisable national teams to the National Stadium.
Brazil are five-time FIFA World Cup champions and consistently attract global attention because of their history, attacking talent and technical quality.
Their squad for the Singapore friendlies includes prominent players such as Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior, Barcelona winger Raphinha and Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães.
Chelsea youngster Estêvão and forward Endrick are also among the players selected by Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti.
The match will be a major test for Singapore’s defensive organisation and ability to cope with elite individual talent.
It is also an opportunity for the Lions to experience the speed, movement and decision-making required at the highest level.
Importantly, these are international friendlies rather than competitive tournament fixtures. Their value will be measured not only by the results but also by what Singapore can learn from facing such opposition.
Ten Lion City Sailors players form the backbone of the squad
The strong representation from Lion City Sailors is another significant feature of Lee’s selection.
Ten Sailors players have been called up, including Hariss Harun, Ryhan Stewart, Lionel Tan, Hami Syahin, Kyoga Nakamura, Song Ui-young, Glenn Kweh, Farhan Zulkifli, Shawal Anuar and Ilhan Fandi.
The club’s contribution highlights its importance to the national-team setup.
Having a substantial group of players from the same club can also offer advantages in terms of familiarity with teammates, tactical understanding and established playing relationships.
However, the national team must still build a collective identity that works beyond club partnerships.
The upcoming friendlies will test whether the Lions can translate their domestic combinations into performances against international opposition.
The friendlies come after a difficult FIFA ASEAN Cup campaign
The timing of these matches is important because Singapore needs to rebuild confidence after a disappointing regional campaign.
The Lions’ FIFA ASEAN Cup campaign ended with a heavy 6-0 defeat to Malaysia on October 1 in Bandung, Indonesia.
That result was particularly damaging because it was Singapore’s heaviest defeat under Lee and its worst loss against Malaysia since 1978.
Singapore finished third in Group A with three points, failing to advance to the final.
The result raised fresh questions about the team’s ability to compete consistently against stronger regional opponents.
But the wider picture of Lee’s tenure is more complicated than one tournament result.
Singapore had previously produced a memorable performance against Thailand in the ASEAN Championship semi-finals in August. Although the Lions lost the tie 4-3 on aggregate, they won the second leg 2-1 in Bangkok, recording their first victory over Thailand in 14 years.
That result offered encouragement about the team’s potential.
WWC One Media covered the breakthrough in its report, Singapore Beat Thailand for the First Time in 14 Years — But Gavin Lee Says Something Bigger Happened After the Final Whistle.
The contrast between that performance and the subsequent 6-0 defeat against Malaysia illustrates the challenge facing Lee: Singapore must become more consistent, particularly when dealing with opponents who can exploit defensive weaknesses.
The upcoming friendlies will not erase the disappointment of the ASEAN Cup, but they can provide an important opportunity to respond.
The bigger target remains the AFC Asian Cup
Beyond the November matches, Singapore’s long-term objective is the AFC Asian Cup.
The Lions qualified for the 2027 edition on merit, marking a major achievement for the national team.
Their original tournament schedule was set for January 7 to February 5, 2027, in Saudi Arabia. However, the Asian Football Confederation announced on November 3 that the competition would instead be scheduled for December 23, 2027, to January 21, 2028, subject to FIFA approval.
The change was linked to exceptional regional circumstances, security concerns and logistical complications affecting the tournament.
Singapore had been drawn in Group D alongside Australia, Iraq and Tajikistan.
The postponement gives the Lions additional time to prepare, although it also means the coaching staff must manage the team’s development over a longer period.
WWC One Media previously examined the uncertainty surrounding the competition in its report, 2027 Asian Cup in Jeopardy as Japan Sounds Alarm Over Saudi Arabia Security Crisis.
For Lee, the November friendlies remain valuable regardless of the tournament’s revised dates.
Playing Brazil and Paraguay offers a level of opposition that Singapore cannot regularly encounter in regional competition.
It will also help the coaching staff identify areas that need improvement before the Asian Cup.
Why these matches matter beyond the scoreline
Singapore’s meeting with Brazil is likely to attract significant attention from local football supporters, particularly those eager to watch internationally recognised players at the National Stadium.
But the more important question for Singapore football is what the Lions can take away from the experience.
Against Paraguay, the team will need to demonstrate defensive discipline and the ability to compete physically.
Against Brazil, the challenge will be even greater. Singapore must be prepared for rapid transitions, individual skill and the ability of technically gifted players to create opportunities from seemingly limited situations.
Lee has previously stressed that matches against stronger opposition are essential to understanding where the national team stands and what it still needs to improve.
The coach will also have an opportunity to evaluate younger players, assess squad depth and determine which combinations could work against stronger opponents.
The objective should not simply be to avoid defeat.
It should be to produce performances that show measurable progress.
The Bottom Line
Gavin Lee’s 24-man squad for the Paraguay and Brazil friendlies combines experienced internationals with younger players looking to establish themselves in the Singapore national team.
Woo Chun Wei’s first senior call-up is one of the biggest individual stories, while the recalls of Saifullah Akbar, Joshua Pereira and Darren Teh provide additional options.
The absences of Nur Adam Abdullah, Ikhsan Fandi and Perry Ng are notable, but the squad still includes a strong core of established players.
The Lions now face two demanding tests at the National Stadium: Paraguay on November 13 and Brazil on November 17.
After the disappointment of the FIFA ASEAN Cup, these matches offer Singapore a chance to restore confidence, expose weaknesses and prepare for the challenges ahead.
A victory would be memorable, particularly against Brazil. But even without one, a disciplined and competitive performance could provide valuable evidence that the team is moving in the right direction.
Can Gavin Lee’s Lions turn these two high-profile friendlies into a breakthrough moment for Singapore football — or will Brazil and Paraguay expose just how much work remains before the Asian Cup?
