Brazil delegation inspects Kolkata as India nears Cabo Verde friendly on October 6
A five-member delegation from the Brazilian Football Confederation inspected Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Thursday as India moved closer to scheduling a friendly against Cabo Verde on October 6.
Brazil are scheduled to play India at Salt Lake Stadium on October 3 after the All India Football Federation withdrew the national team from the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup because of a scheduling clash; the decision has drawn strong criticism from former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia while the AIFF has defended its choice, describing the Brazil fixture as an exceptional opportunity that was approved through the appropriate institutional processes.
The visiting delegation was led by Sergio Dimas de Oliveira, General Supervisor of Men's National Teams, and arrived in Kolkata in the early hours before spending more than two hours assessing the stadium and hospitality arrangements and completing its inspection around 5pm. "We had a meeting with them today, and after having a look at the infrastructure and preparations we have made, they are really positive," West Bengal minister Indranil Khan told reporters.
Reports indicate the proposed friendly with Cabo Verde has emerged as likely for October 6, though the fixture is yet to be officially confirmed; Kolkata and Kochi are being considered as venues, with Salt Lake Stadium and the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium respectively under consideration. If arranged, the match would give head coach Khalid Jamil another opportunity to test his squad during the FIFA international window.
Cabo Verde's recent performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is noted in reporting on the potential fixture: they held eventual champions Spain to a goalless draw and then pushed Argentina into extra time in the last 16. For India, a match against that opposition would be a rare chance to face a team from outside Asia.
India are expected to begin preparations around the start of the FIFA international window on September 21, with a training camp potentially being held in Kolkata, and the AIFF is reportedly exploring an additional friendly before the Brazil encounter, which would make for an especially busy international window.
Bhutia has publicly questioned the sporting value of facing Brazil, urged fans to boycott the match and argued that the money reportedly being spent could be directed towards grassroots development and domestic football; the AIFF has rejected claims of a predetermined financial penalty for withdrawing from the ASEAN Cup and warned against the circulation of what it called unverified financial claims, while saying the Brazil match can provide a morale boost and attract greater interest in Indian football.
If the Cabo Verde fixture is confirmed for October 6, India could finish the international window with two high-profile opponents in three days, giving Khalid Jamil a demanding test of his squad and preparations.
