Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Salt Lake Stadium Pitch Nears Readiness for Brazil Friendly
The football field at Salt Lake Stadium needed major repairs before Brazil played India.
The ground had uneven soil and grass that had grown too tall.
Brazilian turf expert Ivan Nascimento helped the local workers fix it.
They flattened the soil and made holes so air could reach the roots.
They also repaired hard areas, changed how the grass was cut and added fertiliser.
The team treated the field to help control fungus and insects.
The workers then created the light and dark green stripes on the pitch.
Brazil and India will both practise there before their match.
Nascimento said the field is about 90 per cent ready and should also be prepared for India’s game against Uruguay.
The Salt Lake Stadium pitch is nearly ready for India’s October 3 friendly against Brazil.
Brazilian turf expert Ivan Nascimento found uneven soil, surface waves and excessively tall grass.
Workers levelled and aerated the soil, repaired hardened areas, changed mowing patterns and applied treatments.
The restoration followed concerns raised by a Brazilian Football Confederation delegation about the playing surface.
Nascimento said the pitch was about 90 per cent ready and would also host training and India’s October 6 match against Uruguay.
- Who
- Brazil and India’s football teams, with Brazilian turf expert Ivan Nascimento and local stadium ground staff involved in the restoration.
- What
- The Salt Lake Stadium pitch was restored and prepared for international football matches and team training.
- When
- The Brazil-India match is scheduled for October 3, with India-Uruguay scheduled for October 6; restoration took place over nearly a month.
- Where
- Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, commonly known as Salt Lake Stadium, in Kolkata.
- Why
- The pitch had uneven soil, tall grass and hardened areas, prompting concerns about its suitability and player safety.
- Brazil-India match
- Scheduled for October 3 at Salt Lake Stadium.
- India-Uruguay match
- Scheduled for October 6 at the same venue.
- Restoration progress
- Ivan Nascimento estimated the pitch was close to 90 per cent ready.
- Main repairs
- Surface levelling, soil aeration, repairs to hardened areas and a new mowing pattern.
- Additional treatments
- The pitch was fertilised and measures were introduced to control fungus and insects.
- Training schedule
- Brazil is scheduled to train from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., followed by India from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., on the eve of the match.
- Pitch surface
- The field uses natural Riviera Bermuda grass, converted from artificial turf before the 2017 FIFA Under-17 World Cup.