1 week ago
India to Host Panama Ahead of Brazil Friendly
India’s football team will play Panama on September 26, 2026.
The match will happen before India plays Brazil on October 3.
Brazil will play in Kolkata, but the Panama match venue has not been chosen yet.
Panama is ranked 44th in the world and played at the 2026 World Cup.
This means Panama should give India a difficult test.
India and Panama have never played each other before.
Panama will be India’s ninth different opponent from the CONCACAF region.
India withdrew from the FIFA ASEAN Cup because its dates could clash with the Brazil match.
Indian football officials say these games will give the players valuable experience.
India will host Panama in a FIFA international friendly on September 26, 2026.
The match venue has not been decided and will be announced later.
Panama, ranked 44th in the world, will provide a strong test before India faces Brazil on October 3 in Kolkata.
The fixture will be the first meeting between India and Panama and India’s ninth different CONCACAF opponent.
India added the match after withdrawing from the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup because of a scheduling clash with Brazil.
- Who
- The Indian senior men’s national football team and Panama’s national team.
- What
- India will host Panama in a FIFA international friendly.
- Where
- The match will be hosted by India, but its venue has not yet been decided. India’s Brazil match is scheduled for Kolkata.
- When
- September 26, 2026, during the FIFA Men’s International Match Window.
- Why
- The fixture will prepare India for Brazil and provide exposure against a World Cup-playing team after India withdrew from the FIFA ASEAN Cup because of a scheduling conflict.
Key facts
- Match date
- September 26, 2026
- Brazil match
- India is scheduled to face Brazil on October 3, 2026, in Kolkata
- Panama ranking
- 44th in the latest FIFA standings
- Venue
- To be confirmed at a later date
- Head-to-head record
- India and Panama have never previously met
- CONCACAF history
- Panama will be India’s ninth different CONCACAF opponent
- Scheduling context
- India withdrew from the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup after its dates conflicted with the Brazil fixture
Quotes
All India Football Federation
India’s national football governing body
“The Indian senior men’s national team will host Panama in an international friendly match on Saturday, September 26, 2026, during the FIFA Men’s International Match Window. The venue for the fixture will be confirmed at a later date.”
indianexpress.com
M Satyanarayan
AIFF Deputy Secretary General
“Playing against Panama will be a tough battle ahead of the Brazil game. Panama are a top-50 team in the world, and it will be a good test for Khalid Jamil's boys. We are looking forward to our players getting the right exposure, and we normally don't get to play such World Cup teams. So it's a good FIFA window for us, where we are playing such tough teams,”
republicworld.com
telegraphindia.com
livemint.com
timesnownews.com
Sources
Ahead of Brazil clash, India to face Panama in friendly match next month
Ahead Of Brazil Match, AIFF Confirms Another Blockbuster Fixture, India To Face Panama In September Friendly
India to face World Cup side Panama in September friendly ahead of Brazil clash - Telegraph India
Before Brazil clash, Indian football team face world no.44 Panama in FIFA friendly; venue to be confirmed on later date
Before Brazil Clash, India to Face Panama on September 26 in FIFA Friendly
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