Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Brazil Flags Kolkata Pitch Concerns Ahead of India Match
Brazilian football officials visited a stadium in Kolkata before Brazil plays India.
They checked the main pitch, training ground, dressing rooms, toilets and hotel arrangements.
The officials said the pitch looked uneven.
They also said the grass should be thicker to help prevent injuries to Vinicius Junior and his teammates.
Local representatives told them that the stadium had recently hosted several Durand Cup matches.
The Brazilian officials were broadly satisfied with the hotel arrangements.
Brazil is expected to arrive on September 30 and train for two days before the October 3 match.
Ticket prices will be announced after Brazil’s officials submit their report.
A seven-member Brazilian Football Confederation delegation inspected Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan and its training ground.
The delegation reportedly found the main pitch uneven and called for greater grass density to reduce injury risks.
Officials were told that several recent Durand Cup matches had been played at the stadium.
The Brazilian contingent is expected to arrive on September 30, train on October 1 and 2, and face India on October 3.
Ticket prices will be announced after the delegation’s report; media reports have suggested a range of Rs 2,500 to Rs 25,000.
- Who
- A seven-member Brazilian Football Confederation delegation inspected facilities for Brazil’s national team, including those used by Vinicius Junior and his teammates.
- What
- The delegation reviewed the Kolkata stadium, training ground and related facilities and raised concerns about the playing surface.
- When
- The inspection took place on Thursday; Brazil is expected to arrive on September 30, train on October 1 and 2, and play India on October 3.
- Where
- The inspection took place at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan and its Salt Lake Stadium complex in Kolkata.
- Why
- The delegation wanted to assess match and training facilities and warned that an uneven pitch or insufficient grass density could increase injury risks.
Brazilian Confederation Concerns
Local Facility Response
Playing surface
Brazilian Confederation Concerns
The Brazilian Football Confederation delegation reportedly considered the pitch uneven and said grass density needed to increase because of a possible injury risk to Vinicius Junior and his teammates.
Local Facility Response
Local representatives informed the delegation that several matches had recently been played at the stadium during the Durand Cup.
Overall facilities
Brazilian Confederation Concerns
The delegation closely examined the pitch and training ground and raised concerns about the arena’s playing conditions.
Local Facility Response
The officials were reportedly broadly satisfied with the hotel arrangements after reviewing dressing rooms, toilets and hygiene facilities.
- Match
- Brazil versus India on October 3
- Venue
- Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata
- Brazil ranking
- Fifth in the world, according to the article
- India ranking
- 138th in the world, according to the article
- Expected arrival
- September 30, after Brazil’s match against Australia
- Training schedule
- October 1 and 2 in Kolkata
- Reported ticket range
- Rs 2,500 to Rs 25,000; the official price was not yet announced