Archive · 13 Aug 2026
India Pulls Out Of ASEAN Cup To Prioritise Brazil Friendly
India has a national football team that travels to play matches against other countries.
A new tournament called the FIFA ASEAN Cup was going to happen in Indonesia, and India was invited.
Around the same time, India got the chance to play a special friendly match against Brazil, one of the best football teams in the world.
Brazil has won the World Cup five times.
The end of the tournament and the Brazil match were on nearly the same day, so India could not do both.
India chose to play Brazil because playing such a strong team is a rare chance.
Some reports say FIFA did not allow India to send a second team to the tournament.
So India officially left the ASEAN Cup and told FIFA and the organisers.
Now India is trying to arrange two more friendly matches against strong teams so its players still get to play.
India may have to pay a fine for leaving, but the football federation hopes it will not have to.
India officially withdrew from the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup in Indonesia, scheduled from September 24 to October 3 (one report says the final was on October 4).
The withdrawal prioritises an international friendly against five-time World Cup champions Brazil at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on October 3.
AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey confirmed India informed FIFA and the organisers and will prepare for the Brazil match.
The AIFF is seeking two extra friendlies against higher-ranked teams, reportedly sides from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, so players do not lose game time.
Reports differ on why a B squad was not sent — Sports Now said FIFA declined the request while the AIFF cited scheduling clashes — and FIFA regulations allow a fine of at least CHF 15,000, which AIFF sources expect not to pay.
- Who
- AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, AIFF general secretary M Satyanarayan (listed as deputy secretary general in one report), the Indian national football team, FIFA and the ASEAN Cup organisers.
- What
- India officially pulled out of the FIFA ASEAN Cup to prioritise an international friendly against five-time World Cup champions Brazil.
- When
- The ASEAN Cup was scheduled from September 24 to October 3, with one report placing the final on October 4; the Brazil friendly is set for October 3.
- Where
- Indonesia for the ASEAN Cup; Salt Lake Stadium (Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan) in Kolkata for the Brazil friendly.
- Why
- The ASEAN Cup dates clashed with the Brazil friendly, which the AIFF calls a rare opportunity for a team ranked 138th to face the fifth-ranked side; reports say FIFA would not allow India to send a separate B squad.
AIFF official position
Media reports and FIFA regulations
Reason for withdrawal
AIFF official position
AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey and general secretary M Satyanarayan say India pulled out purely because the ASEAN Cup final clashed with the Brazil friendly on October 3, a rare opportunity for a team ranked 138th to play the fifth-ranked side.
Media reports and FIFA regulations
Sports Now reported that FIFA declined the AIFF's request to send a second-string B squad to the ASEAN Cup, and former general secretary Shaji Prabhakaran said FIFA's participation agreement requires full-strength squads, making two-team participation impossible.
Financial penalty
AIFF official position
AIFF sources said they were not expecting any financial penalty for pulling out of the ASEAN Cup.
Media reports and FIFA regulations
Article 5.2 of the FIFA ASEAN Cup regulations says a withdrawing member association shall be fined at least CHF 15,000 (~₹17.6 lakh) by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.
- Event
- India's withdrawal from the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup
- Governing Body
- All India Football Federation (AIFF)
- AIFF President
- Kalyan Chaubey
- Priority Match
- International friendly vs Brazil on October 3
- Venue
- Salt Lake Stadium (Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan), Kolkata
- ASEAN Cup Schedule
- September 24 - October 3, in Indonesia (one report says the final was on October 4)
- India's Group
- Group A, Division 1 (Premier Division), alongside Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore
- Possible Penalty
- At least CHF 15,000 (~₹17.6 lakh) under Article 5.2 of the ASEAN Cup regulations; AIFF sources expect no fine
Sources
India withdraw from ASEAN Cup to prioritise Brazil; plan friendlies vs WC teams
Asean Cup off India schedule as Brazil friendly takes priority in October this year
India sacrifice FIFA Asean Cup as Brazil game takes precedence in October; talks on for 2 friendlies against WC teams
