Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Chaubey Assures AIFF Members Friendlies Bring No Immediate Burden
India played three international football matches against Panama, Brazil and Uruguay.
AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey told federation members the matches would not create an immediate financial burden for the AIFF.
Officials estimated that organizing them could cost around ₹85 crore.
The Brazil match drew 51,402 people, including people given complimentary passes after ticket sales were weak.
Chaubey said hosting Brazil was an important opportunity for Indian football.
He also said the stadium facilities had been improved with help from the state government.
The AIFF held meetings and decided to hold its elections on December 20.
State football associations were asked to finish their elections by November 4.
AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey assured members that three international friendlies would bring no immediate financial burden to the federation.
India played Panama in Bengaluru on September 25, hosted Brazil at Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday and was due to face Uruguay there on Tuesday.
AIFF officials estimated the matches could cost around ₹85 crore.
Brazil's match drew an official attendance of 51,402 after the federation issued additional complimentary passes amid weak ticket sales.
The AIFF set its elections for December 20 and told state associations to complete their elections by November 4.
- Who
- The All India Football Federation, led by president Kalyan Chaubey, and India's national football team.
- What
- The AIFF discussed the cost of three international friendlies and set dates for federation elections.
- When
- The friendlies included a Panama match on September 25, a Brazil match on Saturday and a Uruguay match scheduled for Tuesday; AIFF elections are set for December 20.
- Where
- The Brazil and Uruguay matches were at Salt Lake Stadium; the Panama match was in Bengaluru.
- Why
- The friendlies were arranged to give the national team competitive games; Chaubey told members they would not cause an immediate financial burden.
Reassurance
Financial concerns
Financial impact of the friendlies
Reassurance
Chaubey assured AIFF members that the three matches would not create an immediate financial burden for the federation.
Financial concerns
AIFF officials estimated expenses could be around ₹85 crore; weak Brazil-match ticket sales led the federation to issue more complimentary passes.
Value of hosting Brazil
Reassurance
Chaubey said the match offered the national team a high-profile competitive game and prompted improvements to the stadium facilities.
Financial concerns
The article describes the friendlies as a costly gamble and reports that the stadium turf was not up to the mark.
- Estimated cost
- AIFF officials said expenses could be around ₹85 crore.
- Brazil match attendance
- Official attendance was 51,402.
- Ticket sales
- The federation issued additional complimentary passes after a poor response to ticket sales.
- Panama friendly
- Played in Bengaluru on September 25.
- Brazil friendly
- Played at Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.
- Uruguay friendly
- Scheduled at Salt Lake Stadium for Tuesday.
- AIFF election
- Set for December 20; state associations were told to complete their elections by November 4.