6 days ago
Bengaluru to Host India-Panama Friendly Before Brazil Clash
India’s men’s football team will play Panama in Bengaluru on September 26, 2026.
The game will take place at Sree Kanteerava Stadium.
India last played there during the 2023 SAFF Championship, which it won by beating Kuwait.
Panama is ranked 44th in the world.
Panama also played in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
This will be India’s first friendly against a team that played in that World Cup.
The match will be a difficult test for India.
One week later, India will play Brazil in Kolkata.
India and Panama have never played each other before.
The All India Football Federation confirmed Bengaluru as the venue for India’s friendly against Panama on September 26, 2026.
The match will be played at Sree Kanteerava Stadium and will be India’s first appearance in Bengaluru since the 2023 SAFF Championship.
Panama, ranked 44th globally, featured at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and will provide India with a high-quality test.
The fixture will be India’s first friendly against a FIFA World Cup-playing nation during the busy international period.
India will face five-time world champions Brazil in Kolkata on October 3, one week after the Panama match.
- Who
- The senior men’s national football teams of India and Panama.
- What
- An international friendly football match.
- Where
- Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, India; the Brazil match will be in Kolkata.
- When
- Saturday, September 26, 2026; India will face Brazil on October 3, 2026.
- Why
- The fixture is part of a busy international period and will test India against Panama, a FIFA World Cup-playing team.
Key facts
- Venue
- Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru
- Match date
- September 26, 2026
- Panama ranking
- 44th in the world
- Recent Bengaluru appearance
- India’s previous appearance there was during the 2023 SAFF Championship, which India won after defeating Kuwait in the final.
- Next fixture
- India will play Brazil in Kolkata on October 3, 2026.
- Head-to-head record
- India and Panama will meet for the first time.
- Venue confirmation
- The All India Football Federation confirmed Bengaluru as the host city.
Quotes
NA Haris
AIFF vice president and president of the Karnataka State Football Association
“Bengaluru has always had a special relationship with Indian football, and the atmosphere during the 2023 SAFF Championship, culminating in India lifting the title here, demonstrated the city's passion and support for the national team.”
deccanchronicle.com
freepressjournal.in
news18.com
“Hosting another international match against a high-quality World Cup nation like Panama is a grand occasion for the city and an opportunity for football fans across Karnataka to come together and support the Blue Tigers once again.”
deccanchronicle.com
freepressjournal.in
news18.com
Sources
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