Five-time FIFA World Cup champions Brazil will play their first-ever senior men's international football match in India when they take on the Blue Tigers in a friendly at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium on October 3, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed.
The fixture will mark a historic milestone for Indian football, bringing one of the sport's most successful national teams to Indian soil for the first time.
The announcement ends weeks of speculation after reports suggested the CBF was exploring the possibility of staging a friendly in Kolkata. Discussions between Brazilian officials and Indian stakeholders reportedly gained momentum during the FIFA World Cup 2026, where Brazil enjoyed overwhelming support from Indian fans.
Confirming the match, the CBF said the visit would mark an "unprecedented chapter" in the team's history.
"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," the federation said in a statement.
It described India as home to Brazil's largest international fanbase and said the team looked forward to playing before millions of passionate supporters.
The AIFF also confirmed the fixture, calling it "a date for the history books."
The match will see India face their highest-ranked opponent since the FIFA World Ranking system was introduced in 1992. Brazil are currently ranked fifth in the world and are expected to arrive with a star-studded squad led by captain Marquinhos, with players such as Casemiro, Vinicius Jr., and Matheus Cunha likely to feature, subject to selection and fitness.
Brazil will travel to India after two previously scheduled friendlies against Australia in Queensland on September 25 and 29.
AIFF Deputy Secretary General M. Satyanarayan described the fixture as a landmark moment for Indian football, while National Teams Director Subrata Paul said the game would provide Indian players with a rare opportunity to compete against one of the world's greatest footballing nations.
The choice of Kolkata as the venue reflects the city's enduring affection for Brazilian football. The connection dates back to 1977, when Brazilian legend Pelé visited the city with the New York Cosmos to play an exhibition match against Mohun Bagan Super Giant, a game that remains one of the defining moments in Indian football history.
Follow us
