Bangladesh to replace India in inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 in Indonesia

Bangladesh have agreed to replace India in the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 in Indonesia after the Bangladesh Football Federation’s National Teams Committee approved the decision on Friday. The move follows India’s withdrawal from the tournament to prioritise an international friendly against Brazil.

India withdrew because the FIFA ASEAN Cup, scheduled in Indonesia between September 21 and October 4, clashes with their October 3 fixture against Brazil at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium. The tournament will feature eight teams in the Premier Division split into two groups, and India had been drawn in Division 1, Group A alongside Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Indonesia approached the BFF after India confirmed their withdrawal; the BFF NTC discussed accepting the invitation or instead organising a four-nation tournament in Dhaka. “BFF president and NTC chairman Tabith Awal sought the opinion of NTC members on whether to take part in the FIFA ASEAN Cup or host a four-nation tournament in Dhaka,” NTC member and BFF executive committee member Sayed Hasan Kanon said, as reported by The Daily Star.

Allied to the calendar clash is the fact the October 3 Brazil match coincides with the scheduled FIFA ASEAN Cup Division 1 final, creating a direct conflict with India’s international commitments. AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey said the decision was not based only on the clash with Brazil: “We are unable to participate in the FIFA ASEAN Cup due to our commitment with the Brazil football federation,” Chaubey told The Times of India. “There were technical issues too since only four games can be played during the window. We have informed FIFA and officials are aware of why we were forced to take this decision.”

The AIFF intends to make full use of the September-October international window by arranging two additional friendlies alongside the Brazil game, though Chaubey did not disclose the opponents. Reports cited by the source indicate at least one of the teams under consideration featured at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. India could therefore face three opponents during the window, giving head coach Khalid Jamil preparation against stronger teams, the report added.

India’s withdrawal may carry a financial consequence under tournament regulations: Article 5.2 states that a participating member association withdrawing from the tournament no later than 30 days before its first match can be fined at least CHF 15,000, which is approximately ₹17.6 lakh. The AIFF expects to avoid a sanction and has sent a detailed email to FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom explaining the circumstances of the withdrawal; the federation remains confident FIFA will take the scheduling conflict and the Brazil commitment into account before deciding on any disciplinary action.

Bangladesh’s acceptance of the invitation fills the vacancy left by India and preserves the eight-team structure of the FIFA ASEAN Cup Premier Division. India will travel to Kolkata to play Brazil on October 3, 2026, at Salt Lake Stadium while Bangladesh prepare to take part in the Indonesia-hosted tournament running from September 21 to October 4.