India set to withdraw from FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 after Brazil friendly confirmed
India are likely to pull out of the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 after the Brazil friendly in Kolkata on October 3, 2026, was confirmed, with FIFA reportedly not permitting India to field a U-23 or B team in the ASEAN tournament.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced the India vs Brazil fixture, prompting a strong social media reaction as fans reacted to the prospect of five-time FIFA World Cup winners taking on the Blue Tigers on Indian soil for the first time. India had been drawn in Division 1 Group A of the FIFA ASEAN Cup alongside Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, with the tournament scheduled during the same September-October FIFA international window.
Khel Now understands the scheduling clash and FIFA’s restriction on using a non-first-choice squad are central to the discussions within the All India Football Federation (AIFF) about withdrawing from the ASEAN Cup. The Brazil match is being positioned as a one-off glamour friendly that falls inside the same international window as the multi-match ASEAN competition.
The AIFF is reported to be assembling a financial package of ₹60-70 crore to stage the Brazil fixture, combining sponsorship revenue, ticket sales and support from the Government of West Bengal, and the match is described as likely to become one of the biggest and most expensive the federation has organised. “Several stakeholders believe the Brazil friendly could become a major campaign talking point for Kalyan Chaubey ahead of the next AIFF presidential election, should the match go ahead as planned,” said a source tracking the developments.
Khel Now reports that former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia strongly opposed the proposal to withdraw from the FIFA ASEAN Cup during an AIFF Executive Committee meeting held earlier today. “I strongly insisted that the first team should go and play the FIFA ASEAN Cup. It is a much better competition than the SAFF Championship. Financially, you are also getting a participation fee and, if you do well, there is good prize money to be won. More importantly, it is great for the team’s development. Three or four competitive matches are far more beneficial for the players. It’s a good tournament to play,” Bhaichung Bhutia told Khel Now.
Bhutia also questioned the developmental value of prioritising a single friendly over the ASEAN Cup: “Brazil is Brazil, and it’s great to play them. But the timing is wrong. You’re playing just one match. What are you going to gain from it in terms of the long-term development of the national team?” added Bhutia.
Supporters of staying in the ASEAN Cup argued the tournament would have guaranteed India at least three competitive internationals against Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, opponents the national side regularly meets in AFC Asian Cup qualification and “could also face during the road to the 2030 FIFA World Cup.” Khel Now reported that for a national team described as entering a rebuilding phase under Khalid Jamil, the ASEAN fixtures were seen as an opportunity to test younger players, build squad chemistry and gain meaningful competitive experience.
The AIFF is expected to formally communicate its final decision later today; if India withdraws, Khel Now states it would be the first major consequence of securing the Brazil fixture.