Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Bhutia Slams AIFF's Costly Brazil-Friendly Decision Over ASEAN Cup
India's main soccer team was invited to play in a big new tournament called the FIFA ASEAN Cup, where they were grouped with teams from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.
But the people in charge of Indian football, called the AIFF, decided India would not play in that tournament.
Instead, India will play one friendly game against Brazil in Kolkata on October 3, and the match may cost a lot of money, between 50 and 70 crore rupees.
A famous Indian footballer, Bhaichung Bhutia, thinks that was a bad idea.
He says the money should be spent on helping Indian soccer clubs that are struggling, because some clubs are shutting down.
In fact, Jamshedpur FC was just handed over to Churchill Brothers for just 100 rupees.
Other former players say the AIFF could have sent the young Under-23 team to the big tournament while the senior team played Brazil.
They call the decision an 'eyewash' that hides bigger problems in Indian football.
India's world ranking has also slipped to around 140.
Bhutia hopes that new elections this year will bring in better leaders to fix Indian football.
Indian football icon Bhaichung Bhutia called the AIFF's pullout from the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup to prioritise a Brazil friendly a 'bad, bad decision'.
India had been drawn in ASEAN Cup Division 1 Group A with Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore; the tournament runs September 21-October 6.
Bhutia questioned the reported Rs 50-70 crore expenditure on the October 3 Brazil friendly at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, calling the timing 'completely wrong'.
Bhutia accused AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey of 'completely misguiding' the government, while Mehtab Hossain called the Brazil move 'merely an eyewash'.
Tata Steel exited Jamshedpur FC, transferring the club to Churchill Brothers for Rs 100, and India's FIFA ranking has slipped to around 140.
- Who
- Indian football icon Bhaichung Bhutia, former players Dipendu Biswas and Mehtab Hossain, and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) led by president Kalyan Chaubey.
- What
- The AIFF pulled India out of the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup to prioritise a reportedly Rs 50-70 crore friendly against Brazil, a decision critics called a bad one.
- When
- The criticism was reported this Friday; the ASEAN Cup was scheduled for September 21-October 6 and the Brazil friendly for October 3.
- Where
- Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium, where Brazil will play India on October 3; the ASEAN Cup placed India in Division 1 Group A with Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.
- Why
- The Brazil friendly clashed with the ASEAN Cup schedule, and critics say spending Rs 50-70 crore on the friendly is the wrong priority while Indian clubs face a financial crisis.
Critics of the AIFF
The Brazil-Friendly Priority
Brazil friendly vs FIFA ASEAN Cup
Critics of the AIFF
The FIFA-recognised ASEAN Cup, featuring strong regional sides like Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore, is a more meaningful competitive tournament, and missing it for one paid friendly is a 'bad, bad decision'.
The Brazil-Friendly Priority
The AIFF prioritised a high-profile friendly against record five-time world champions Brazil on October 3 at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium, choosing the invitational fixture over the ASEAN Cup following a scheduling clash.
Spending Rs 50-70 crore on one match
Critics of the AIFF
Spending Rs 50-70 crore on the friendly is the wrong priority at a time when ISL clubs are shutting down, I-League clubs cannot pay entry fees and the federation itself is struggling for money; the funds could instead support clubs like East Bengal or grassroots development.
The Brazil-Friendly Priority
The AIFF is reportedly paying Brazil and an advance fee to stage the marquee match, treating it as a high-profile opportunity for Indian football despite the cost.
Playing in both tournaments
Critics of the AIFF
Dipendu Biswas and Mehtab Hossain said the AIFF could have sent the strong Under-23 team to the ASEAN Cup while the senior team played Brazil, calling the withdrawal 'merely an eyewash'.
The Brazil-Friendly Priority
The AIFF withdrew India from the ASEAN Cup entirely, opting for only the senior friendly against Brazil rather than fielding a second team in the regional tournament.
- Reported cost of Brazil friendly
- Rs 50-70 crore
- Brazil friendly date and venue
- October 3, Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
- FIFA ASEAN Cup window
- September 21 - October 6
- India's ASEAN Cup group
- Division 1 Group A with Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore
- Jamshedpur FC ownership change
- Tata Steel exited; club transferred to Churchill Brothers for Rs 100
- India's FIFA ranking
- Around 140
- East Bengal achievement
- Qualified for AFC Champions League 2 group stage with a 4-1 win over Al-Arabi
- India's New Zealand tour
- Two matches on November 12 and 15
