Archive · 27 Sep 2026
India to Make Historic Kolkata Debut Against Russia
India’s women’s football team will play Russia twice in Kolkata.
The matches will happen on October 8 and 11, 2026.
They will be held at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan stadium.
These will be India’s first international games in Kolkata.
India recently won the SAFF Women’s Championship for the sixth time.
Russia is ranked much higher than India in world football.
India lost its two earlier games against Russia.
Coach Crispin Chettri says the matches will help players gain experience and prepare for the future.
India will face Russia in two friendlies at Kolkata’s Kishore Bharati Krirangan on October 8 and 11, 2026.
The matches will be India’s first international fixtures since winning a record-extending sixth SAFF Women’s Championship in June 2026.
World No. 69 India will take on Russia, ranked 27th, during the FIFA Women’s International Match Window.
The fixtures will mark India’s first appearance in West Bengal since the 2016 SAFF Women’s Championship in Siliguri.
India lost its previous two meetings with Russia, 0-8 in 2021 and 0-2 in 2025, both at neutral tournaments.
- Who
- The Indian women’s national football team and the Russian women’s national team, coached by Crispin Chettri for India.
- What
- India and Russia will play two international friendly matches.
- When
- October 8 and 11, 2026, during the FIFA Women’s International Match Window.
- Where
- Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata, West Bengal.
- Why
- To give India experience against strong opposition, develop upcoming players and prepare the team for higher-level international competition.
- Match dates
- October 8 and 11, 2026
- Venue
- Kishore Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata
- India ranking
- 69th in the world
- Russia ranking
- 27th in the world
- India’s latest title
- Sixth SAFF Women’s Championship, won in June 2026
- Previous meetings
- India lost 0-8 in 2021 and 0-2 in 2025
- India’s West Bengal return
- First appearance in the state since the 2016 SAFF Women’s Championship
