India to host Panama, Brazil, and Uruguay in football friendlies

The Indian men’s national football team is set to host an unprecedented series of international friendlies against three World Cup-participating nations during the September-October FIFA window.

According to the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the schedule begins on September 26 in Bengaluru at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, where India will face Panama, currently ranked 44th in the FIFA World Rankings. This will be followed by a high-profile match against five-time world champions Brazil on October 3 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. The series will conclude in Kolkata on October 6 with a fixture against two-time world champions Uruguay, who are ranked 20th globally.

In addition to the senior men's schedule, the India U17 women’s team is preparing for the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers. Following recent matches in Uzbekistan, the squad is scheduled to play two friendly matches against the Philippines in Goa on September 26 and 29, 2026.

Meanwhile, the Indian women's junior hockey team is preparing for the AHF Women's Junior Asia Cup in Moqi, China, scheduled from September 4 to 13. The squad, led by captain Khaidem Shileima Chanu and coach Tim White, is competing in the Elite Pool against China, Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia.