India hosts Uruguay in historic Kolkata football friendly

The Indian national football team is set to face two-time FIFA World Cup champions Uruguay in an international friendly at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. The match serves as the conclusion of India’s high-profile FIFA international window, which previously included a 1-1 draw against Panama and a 0-4 loss to Brazil.

Uruguay, led by head coach Diego Forlán, arrives in India following a 4-1 victory over South Korea. While the South American side is expected to be the favorite, they will be playing without star midfielder Federico Valverde due to injury. Key players for Uruguay include Darwin Núñez, Ronald Araujo, and Lucas Torreira, while India looks to rely on players like Ryan Williams and Anirudh Thapa.

In preparation for the match, Uruguay players recently visited Kolkata’s Eden Gardens to try cricket. To encourage attendance, ticket prices for certain sections of the stadium have been significantly reduced, with some seats dropping from ₹1,999 to ₹199. Additionally, the West Bengal government has announced free tickets for approximately 22,000 fans who were negatively impacted by the chaotic Lionel Messi tour event in Kolkata last year.