Brazil football team to play India in historic friendly match in Kolkata on October 3, 2026

Brazil's senior men's football team will play an international friendly against India in Kolkata on October 3, 2026. The match will be India's biggest football challenge since FIFA rankings began, with the five-time world champions currently placed fifth globally.

Hyderabad: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced on Thursday that the Brazil senior men’s national team will play an international friendly match against India on October 3, 2026, in Kolkata.

Brazil, five-time world champions, are the most successful men’s national team in football. India will host the Seleção at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in one of the biggest matches in Indian football history. The fixture will mark the highest-ranked opposition India have faced since the FIFA World Ranking was introduced in 1992, with Brazil currently ranked fifth.

---

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.

Mr. M Satyanarayan, AIFF Deputy Secretary General, said, “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.”

Subrata Paul, Director, National Teams, said, “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.”