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India vs Brazil confirmed: Kolkata to host blockbuster friendly | Football News

insidetrack India14 hours ago

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2 min readUpdated: Jul 30, 2026 10:02 PM It is official – India will be facing Brazil in a football friendly at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on October 3 this year. The ground has, more often than not, been the preferred venue on the rare occassions that football’s elites have descended upon India and yet, this might just be the biggest match it has ever hosted. The Indian and Brazilian football federations acknowledged in their statement the kind of fanbase that Brazil have in India while announcing the friendly. Those fans now have a chance to catch a glimpse of the Selecao in the flesh.
It will be the first time India face a side placed in the top five of the FIFA rankings, with Brazil currently placed fifth. The five-time world champions face Australia in two matches in September — their first assignment since rather disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign. Brazil’s first match in Australia is scheduled to be held on September 25 in Townsville and the second on September 29 in Brisbane. The visit to India will be their third match of the window.
“To welcome a team of Brazil’s stature to our country is an extraordinary moment and one that will undoubtedly become a landmark chapter in the hory of Indian football,” said M Satyanarayan, AIFF deputy secretary general.
Both the Indian and Brazilian statements acknowledge the presence of a large fanbase for Brazilian football players in the country. “It will be a special encounter with a country that hosts the largest international fanbase of the Brazilian National Team and that, for generations, has followed the hory of Brazilian football with immense affection and passion. We are eager to live this moment alongside millions of Indian fans!” said the CBF.
The AIFF, meanwhile, said that Brazil’s legacy has “inspired generations of footballers across the world, including millions of passionate supporters in India.”
“India is known for having one of the largest Brazilian fan bases outside of Brazil.”

insidetrack India14 hours ago

507 1 minute read

insidetrack India

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