3 weeks ago
Chaos engulfs Indian football before Brazil friendly and Asean Cup
Indian football is going through a difficult time.
A very exciting match was announced: India will play Brazil, one of the best football teams in the world.
It will happen in a big stadium in Kolkata, and many fans are thrilled.
But just one day later, a well-known club called Jamshedpur FC said it was stopping its main team.
The club is owned by the Tata Group, a very big company.
The Indian Super League, where clubs play, is having problems too — last season started very late, and nobody is sure when the next one will begin.
Some clubs have not even started training yet.
India also has to play in a new tournament, the FIFA Asean Cup, soon.
Some football people worry that the players will not be ready or fit enough to play Brazil, and they say India should fix its own football problems first.
The AIFF announced on 30 July that India will face five-time World Cup champions Brazil in a historic FIFA friendly, the first time a top-10-ranked nation will play in India since 2010.
A day after the announcement, Tata Group-owned Jamshedpur FC shut down its first-team operations, a major blow to the ISL and Indian football.
The ISL's 2025-26 season only began on 14 February 2026 after a contractual stalemate between the AIFF and FSDL, and the 2026-27 season may start in October rather than September despite an AIFF announcement.
India will compete in the inaugural FIFA Asean Cup from 24 September, facing Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore in Group A of the Premier Division.
FPAI president Mehrajuddin Wadoo warned that without league game time, players will not be fit and India risks another humiliation against Brazil.
- Who
- The All India Football Federation (AIFF), Indian Super League clubs including Jamshedpur FC, and the Indian national team, with criticism from FPAI president Mehrajuddin Wadoo.
- What
- Indian football faces chaos ahead of a historic Brazil friendly and the inaugural FIFA Asean Cup, as Jamshedpur FC shuts down and the ISL's schedule remains uncertain.
- Where
- India, with the Brazil match at Yuva Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.
- When
- Following the AIFF's 30 July announcement, with the FIFA Asean Cup starting on 24 September and the Brazil match set for 3 October.
- Why
- The end of the AIFF's commercial agreement with FSDL and a contractual stalemate left ISL clubs without confirmed broadcasters and game time ahead of major fixtures.
Officials and Fans
Critics and Players
Hosting Brazil friendly amid turmoil
Officials and Fans
The AIFF's announcement that five-time World Cup champions Brazil will play in Kolkata sparked joy across the country, marking the first time a top-10-ranked nation plays in India since 2010.
Critics and Players
FPAI president and former India international Mehrajuddin Wadoo says Indian football is in a bad state and questions what India is doing by bringing Brazil before stabilising domestic football, warning players will be unfit and could face another humiliation without league game time.
ISL 2026-27 start date
Officials and Fans
The AIFF announced on 21 June that the ISL 2026-27 season would begin on 4 September.
Critics and Players
Sources say the ISL is likely to start only in the second week of October, and clubs such as Kerala Blasters, Odisha FC, Inter Kashi and Diamond FC are in a non-functional state waiting for the broadcaster deal to be confirmed.
Key facts
- Headline match
- India vs Brazil international friendly
- Match date and venue
- 3 October at Yuva Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata
- Announcement date
- 30 July
- FIFA Asean Cup start
- 24 September; India in Group A (Premier Division) with Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore
- Jamshedpur FC
- First-team operations shut down; owned by Tata Group
- ISL 2025-26
- Started 14 February 2026 after AIFF-FSDL contractual deadlock
- ISL 2026-27 schedule
- AIFF announced 4 September; sources say second week of October
- Media rights
- Tender floated; commercial rights transferred to ISL clubs last month
Quotes
Unnamed ISL player
An ISL player speaking anonymously to Livemint
“"There is no clarity on the ISL too. Indian football is in a bad state. What are we doing by bringing Brazil to India?"”
livemint.com
“"We have heard that the ISL is likely to start in the second week of October."”
livemint.com
Prithiijit Das
CEO of Inter Kashi, an Indian Super League club
“"We are waiting for the broadcaster to be confirmed and then for the broadcaster to confirm the start date and then plan our pre‑season."”
livemint.com
Sources
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