Brazil's national football team will play India in a friendly match at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium on October 3, 2026, during the FIFA international window. The match was confirmed by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on July 30, 2026, after weeks of speculation.
The AIFF announced that the match will be part of a two-match tour of India by the Brazilian squad, with the second match scheduled for October 7 in New Delhi. This will be the first meeting between the two national teams since 2011, when Brazil won 3-0 in a friendly in GoiΓ’nia.
Kolkata, often called the 'Mecca of Indian football,' was chosen as the venue due to its passionate fan base and the stadium's capacity of over 85,000. The match is expected to boost football's popularity in India ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Brazil has qualified for.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed the fixtures, stating that the matches are part of their preparation for the World Cup. India, ranked 117th in the FIFA rankings, will use the match as valuable experience against the five-time world champions.
