Archive · 26 Aug 2026
India to Host Panama in September International Friendly
India’s men’s football team will play Panama on September 26.
The game will be a friendly, so it is meant for competition and preparation rather than a tournament.
The match will take place during an official FIFA international window.
India and Panama have never played each other before.
Panama is ranked 44th in the world.
India’s coach, Khalid Jamil, will use the match to test his players.
India will then play Brazil in Kolkata on October 3.
India is also scheduled to play New Zealand twice in November.
India will host Panama in an international friendly on September 26 during the FIFA Men’s International Match Window.
The venue for the match will be announced later, according to the All India Football Federation.
The fixture will be India’s first-ever meeting with Panama, currently ranked 44th in the FIFA World Rankings.
AIFF said the match will help India prepare for its October 3 clash against Brazil in Kolkata.
India is scheduled to face New Zealand twice in November, completing four planned matches against World Cup teams.
- Who
- India’s senior men’s national football team and Panama’s national team.
- What
- An international friendly football match.
- When
- September 26, during the FIFA Men’s International Match Window.
- Where
- India will host the match, but the specific venue has not yet been announced.
- Why
- To give India experience against higher-ranked opposition ahead of matches against Brazil and New Zealand.
- Match
- India vs Panama international friendly
- Date
- September 26
- Venue
- To be confirmed
- Panama ranking
- 44th in the FIFA World Rankings
- First meeting
- India and Panama have never previously met in men’s senior international football
- Upcoming Brazil match
- October 3 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata
- Upcoming New Zealand matches
- November 12 and 15