Jamil and Gurpreet preview Panama friendly in Bengaluru ahead of September 25 fixture
India head coach Khalid Jamil and goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu addressed the media ahead of India’s FIFA international friendly against Panama at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on September 25. The pair spoke about the challenge posed by a World Cup side and the opportunity the fixture presents for India during the international window.
Panama arrive ranked 44th and recently featured at the FIFA World Cup 2026, and the match will be the first-ever official meeting between the two nations. The encounter has been framed in the build-up as a stern test and a dress rehearsal ahead of India’s scheduled meeting with Brazil, offering India exposure against CONCACAF opposition.
On the quality of the opposition, Jamil said: “It is very good to play with a good team, it is our pleasure to play with them, they have a quality coach, they have quality players, so we are looking forward to play with them.” Gurpreet added: “I think coach has said almost all of it, I think for us as players, this is a good opportunity to play against a team who has just come from the World Cup and they played really good in the World Cup, like obviously I was watching the games as well, so they have good players like coach said and it is going to be a very good test for us, especially at home. Playing in Bengaluru is a great opportunity as well for people like me and obviously we have Ryan and Ashique as well who represent BFC, so it’s a good chance for us to again play an international game over here. So yeah, really looking forward for tomorrow, I am very excited.”
Asked to place the Panama, Brazil and Uruguay fixtures against other matches in their careers, the players replied: “It is very difficult to put these games somewhere because we haven’t played them yet. Obviously on paper, these games look really good because of the opponents we are facing. To be honest, every single game has been special because you get to play for your country, and that is the most important thing. It doesn’t matter who we face, we all want to win the games that we play for our country against anyone. But now we have a great opportunity to face even better opposition than we had before. The feeling is still the same, there is nothing changed in that manner.”
Gurpreet emphasised the team’s purpose on the pitch, saying: “Like I have said before as well, we have to remember that it is a football match, everyone likes to see the glitter and everything outside of it. But for us as players and obviously as a team, we want to make sure that we get something out of these games, and we do not forget the purpose which is to go out there and play to win. So that has to be the thing which is unchanged and has been unchanged in my case, in my career so far.”
Reflecting on the fixture announcement and his selection, Gurpreet said: “Obviously, it was something which is unexpected to be honest because this was something which hasn’t happened in at least my playing career. So, like everyone else, we wanted to see that okay, this is actually happening and kudos to the federation and everyone involved who has pulled off getting these teams to come to India. It’s not like we are going to get big teams to come and play away games especially over here and to convince them, it’s a big thing.” He added: “Obviously, for me it is a great opportunity because as a player I get to be involved in this. I think the boys are professional enough. Everyone knows what the duty is when you come to the national team. So, it’s not much that I have to say. It’s all about remembering why we are here and to make sure that we use this opportunity to gain something out of it and not just think about it. We were just a part of it. So, it’s important to remember that we are here to play football and get something out of these games.”
When questioned about leaving out senior players such as Jhingan and Chhangte, Khalid Jamil said: “Yes, talking about the selection. Yes, I have left some senior players. But it is not like that. We will not take them again. They are most welcome to be back again. And talking about, yes, we are thinking about to build a new team, which is going to play ahead. We have younger players who need to play more matches. So I have decided to mix with senior players. But yes, our aim is to make a good solid team.”
Gurpreet described the match as a chance to learn from a World Cup side and to expand India’s options: “It is hard to sum up all those things in one sentence. But I think tomorrow can be a start. I think we can use tomorrow’s game to see what it takes for a World Cup team to operate. Panama obviously qualified for the World Cup, played really good in the World Cup in my opinion. Although the results did not go in their favour, I think they played really good football. And for us, we want to do the same.” He added: “We want to be a team which is difficult to play and also have great options, be it on the pitch or off the pitch, in terms of people coming in from the bench. And to do that, like the coach said, we need to find new players, create a team that he wants to do. And to do that, we need games. And we use these games to get where we want to go.”
On preparations and tactical approach, Khalid said: “Yes, talking about preparation, everything is fine. We are very thankful. At least, we are thanking the clubs for the reason that we are a little early. And yes, we need time for preparation. The more time we have, the better we will do. And talking about the game, yes, we have to see. Yes, we are facing a stronger team. At the same time, you cannot defend every time. So, we will definitely be attacking also. According to the situation, we will do that.” India will face Panama on September 25 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru; the match will begin at 7:30 PM IST and will be shown live on Sony Ten 2 and available to live stream on Sony LIV.