It's official: Hosts India will play the Brazilian National Team at Kolkata on October 3 in Kolkata
Negotiations between CBF and Indian officials reportedly began during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Brazil's interest piqued when they saw the love in the country.
XtraTime Newsdesk: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Brazilian Football Federation (CFB) have announced that that the Brazil senior men's national team will play an international friendly match against India on October 3, 2026, in Kolkata.
The five time world champions, Brazil coming to India is a momentous occasion but facing the Indian football team might just make that match iconic for many a fan in this country. This announcement confirmed all the speculation started by a report by ESPN Brasil which stated that their national team will play in Kolkata, India(though, they were still looking for an opponent at that time).
Negotiations between CBF and Indian officials reportedly began during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Brazil got interested when their World Cup campaign received overwhelming support from Indian fans, with large screen watch parties, murals and celebrations across the country going viral on social media.
"The Brazilian National Team's schedule continues. After the friendlies in Australia, our next destination will be India, where we will write an unprecedented chapter in our history. On October 3, the National Team will take the field for the first time on Indian soil, at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. 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 history of Brazilian football with immense affection and passion. We are eager to live this moment alongside millions of Indian fans! See you in Kolkata," the CBF said in a statement.
The AIFF also released a statement which said: "A date for the history books. India vs Brazil FIFA International Friendly at Salt Lake Stadium on October 3". The Indian National Team will face their highest ranked team since FIFA introduced team rankings in 1992(with Brazil being at no.5).
The friendly comes months after Brazil's FIFA World Cup campaign ended in the Round of 16. Despite that disappointment, the Selecao's popularity remains immense in India, especially in Kolkata, where the city's streets were once again draped in Brazil's iconic yellow and green during the tournament.