India will host five-time FIFA World Cup winners Brazil in an international friendly at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on 3 October 2026, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced on Thursday.
The match will be one of the biggest occasions in Indian football history, with Brazil becoming the highest-ranked opponents India have faced since the FIFA World Ranking system was introduced in 1992. The Selecao are currently ranked fifth in the world.
Brazil remain the most successful men’s national team in football, having won the FIFA World Cup five times. Their rich footballing tradition has inspired generations of players and supporters around the world, including a large and passionate fan base in India.
AIFF Deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan described the fixture as a landmark moment for Indian football.
“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 history of Indian football,” he said.
Subrata Paul, AIFF Director of National Teams, said the match would provide India’s players with a valuable opportunity to compete against one of the sport’s greatest nations.
“For our national team players, this is far more than just another match. It is a rare opportunity to test themselves against one of the greatest footballing nations the game has ever known. Experiences like these challenge players to grow, inspire them to dream bigger, and leave memories that stay with them throughout their careers,” he said.
