Archive · 25 Sep 2026
India Face Panama in First of Three World Cup Tests
India’s football team will play Panama in a major friendly match.
It is the first time the two countries have played each other.
Panama are ranked much higher than India and qualified unbeaten for the 2026 World Cup.
India have not won their last four matches.
Coach Khalid Jamil wants his team to defend carefully but also attack when possible.
Panama coach Thomas Christiansen said Panama should be the favourite on paper.
The match is being played at Bengaluru’s Sree Kanteerava Stadium.
India will later play Brazil and Uruguay in Kolkata.
The reports differ on the date, describing it as Friday or September 26, 2026.
India will face Panama in their first-ever meeting at Bengaluru’s Sree Kanteerava Stadium.
The match begins India’s three-game friendly series against 2026 World Cup teams, followed by Brazil and Uruguay in Kolkata.
Panama are ranked 44th by FIFA, 94 places above India, who are ranked 138th.
India are seeking to end a four-match winless run after defeats by Jamaica, Zimbabwe and Tajikistan, followed by a draw.
India coach Khalid Jamil plans to combine defending and attacking against Panama’s technically and physically strong team.
- Who
- The India and Panama men’s football teams, coached by Khalid Jamil and Thomas Christiansen.
- What
- A first-ever international friendly between India and Panama.
- When
- The reports describe the match as Friday; an AIFF statement cited September 26, 2026, while a live update was dated September 25, 2026.
- Where
- Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, India.
- Why
- The match is part of India’s three-game series of friendlies against teams qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
India’s Approach
Panama’s Expectations
Match outlook
India’s Approach
India view the fixture as a valuable test and want to avoid being overawed by Panama’s ranking and World Cup experience.
Panama’s Expectations
Thomas Christiansen acknowledged that Panama should be the favourite on paper and faces strong expectations to win.
Tactical plan
India’s Approach
India intend to stay compact but mix defending with attacking instead of defending throughout the match.
Panama’s Expectations
Panama bring a technically and physically strong squad, although several younger players were included for the fixture.
Recent momentum
India’s Approach
India are trying to recover from four matches without a win and can draw encouragement from their earlier unbeaten run at the stadium.
Panama’s Expectations
Panama qualified for the World Cup unbeaten, with seven wins and three draws in 10 matches.
- Venue
- Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru
- FIFA rankings
- Panama 44th; India 138th
- Ranking gap
- Panama are 94 places above India
- India’s recent form
- Four matches without a win
- India’s last victory
- A 2-1 win over Hong Kong on March 31
- Panama’s qualifying record
- Seven wins and three draws in 10 matches
- Following fixtures
- Brazil and Uruguay in Kolkata on October 3 and 6
