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AIFF to field two separate teams for Brazil friendly and FIFA ASEAN Cup amid schedule clash

hellohimachalse@gmail.com 06 Aug 2026 1 hour ago

New Delhi: The on August 6 decided to field two separate squads for the inaugural edition of the FIFA ASEAN Cup, which begins in late September and for the on October 3 in Kolkata.

The FIFA ASEAN Cup will be played during the international friendly window from September 21 to October 6, and was introduced by the global football governing body to promote the game in Southeast Asia. India, China and Hong Kong were invited for the tournament. However, China refused the offer.

The Blue Tigers have been drawn into Group A of Division 1 for the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, and will take on Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore in the group stage. But the tournament’s schedule will clash with the friendly game against Brazil on October 3 in Kolkata.

“One of the principal decisions taken during the meeting was to confirm India’s participation in both — the men’s international friendly against five-time FIFA World Cup champions Brazil, scheduled to be played in Kolkata on October 3, 2026, and the FIFA ASEAN Cup in Indonesia from September 24 to October 3, 2026,” the AIFF said in a release after its executive committee meeting.

AIFF calls Brazil friendly a ‘unique opportunity’ for Indian players

The AIFF statement further added that the Executive Committee will recognise the friendly match against Brazil as a unique opportunity to provide India football players with invaluable exposure against one of the world’s best football teams.

“Accordingly, the AIFF will formally notify FIFA that India will participate in both competitions by fielding separate squads for the match against Brazil and the FIFA ASEAN Cup,” the statement added.

Bhaichung Bhutia also attended the AIFF Executive Committee meeting on Thursday and objected to the proposal. He said India must field their best team at the FIFA ASEAN Cup as it will be a very good opportunity to play against some of the Asian nations which are on level or a little bit above India.

“I objected to the proposal. I said the first preference should be the FIFA ASEAN Cup. We should be part of that and play at that level. There will be very good level of competition against the likes of Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore. And then you will also get participation money and prize money if you go deep in the tournament,” Bhutia said.

The former footballer further added that he’s not against the Brazil match, which will be watched by almost one lakh people, but the timing for the game is not right.

 

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