India To Field 2 Squads For Brazil Friendly And FIFA ASEAN Cup

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has confirmed that India will participate in both the international friendly against Brazil and the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026.

The decision was taken during the AIFF Executive Committee meeting held in New Delhi under the chairmanship of AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey.

India will face five-time FIFA World Cup champions Brazil in an international friendly in Kolkata on October 3, 2026. The FIFA ASEAN Cup will be held in Indonesia from September 24 to October 3.

To ensure participation in both events, the AIFF will send separate squads for each competition. The federation will formally inform FIFA about the decision.

The match against Brazil is a rare opportunity for Indian players to test themselves against one of the strongest teams in world football. The game will also be played during the FIFA international window.

The AIFF Executive Committee also approved the federation's budget for the 2026-27 financial year and discussed steps needed to comply with the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.

Member Associations whose elections are due this year have been asked to complete the required compliance process by October 20, 2026.

The decision to field two separate squads is a significant development for Indian football, as it allows the team to participate in two major tournaments simultaneously.

This move is expected to provide valuable experience for Indian players, who will get to compete against top-notch teams in both events.

The AIFF's decision is also a testament to the growing importance of Indian football on the global stage.

With the FIFA ASEAN Cup and the Brazil friendly, India has a unique opportunity to showcase its footballing prowess and make a mark on the international scene.

The upcoming matches are likely to generate significant interest among football fans in India, who will be eager to watch their team take on some of the best teams in the world.

In the end, the AIFF's decision to field two separate squads is a positive step for Indian football, and it will be interesting to see how the team performs in both tournaments.