Archive · 13 Aug 2026
India Withdraw From ASEAN Cup to Prioritise Brazil Friendly
India's national football team pulled out of a new tournament called the FIFA ASEAN Cup.
They did this because they want to play a special friendly match against Brazil.
Brazil is one of the best football countries in the world and has won the World Cup five times.
India could not play in both events because their schedules clashed.
The match against Brazil will take place on October 3 in Kolkata.
In the ASEAN Cup, India was supposed to play against Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.
The tournament was set for September 21 to October 6.
India first thought about sending a smaller team, but decided to withdraw completely.
India is also talking about playing friendlies with Cabo Verde and Iran.
But those matches are not officially confirmed yet.
India have withdrawn from the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup to prioritise their October friendly against Brazil.
AIFF deputy secretary general M Satyanarayanan said the team cannot play both Brazil and the FIFA ASEAN Cup.
India had been drawn in Division 1 Group A alongside Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.
The Brazil match is scheduled for October 3 at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium.
India are also exploring friendlies against Cabo Verde and Iran, though these are not yet confirmed.
- Who
- The All India Football Federation (AIFF), with deputy secretary general M Satyanarayanan announcing the decision.
- What
- India withdrew from the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup to prioritise an international friendly against five-time world champions Brazil.
- When
- Announced on Thursday (August 13); the ASEAN Cup was scheduled for September 21-October 6 and the Brazil match is set for October 3.
- Where
- Brazil match at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium; the ASEAN Cup would have matched India against Southeast Asian teams.
- Why
- A scheduling clash meant India could not play both Brazil and the FIFA ASEAN Cup, so the federation chose the Brazil friendly.
- Key event
- India withdraws from the FIFA ASEAN Cup
- Announced by
- M Satyanarayanan, AIFF deputy secretary general
- Original group
- Division 1 Group A with Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore
- Tournament window
- September 21 - October 6
- Brazil friendly date
- October 3
- Brazil friendly venue
- Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
- Possible opponents
- Cabo Verde and Iran (unconfirmed)
- Context
- India failed to qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup
