Kolkata to deploy 2,500 police and 20 IPS officers for India v Brazil friendly

West Bengal has mobilised around 2,500 police personnel ahead of the India v Brazil friendly at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on October 3, West Bengal DGP Siddh Nath Gupta said. Central forces have been kept on reserve as authorities prepare for the fixture.

The heightened security follows chaotic scenes at the same stadium in December 2025 when Lionel Messi visited as part of the GOAT India Tour with Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul; thousands of fans gathered, Messi spent only around 15 minutes on the pitch before leaving amid security concerns after being surrounded by VIPs and selfie-seekers, spectators entered the field and damaged seats, barricades, banners and other stadium infrastructure, and several policemen were injured.

Officials described the scale of the operation in detail, saying the deployment will include around 2,500 police personnel plus about 200 officers of various ranks and 20 IPS officers, with central forces available if required. West Bengal DGP Siddh Nath Gupta outlined the arrangements as part of a three-tier security plan for the match.

Stadium-level measures will include a three-tier security arrangement and numbered seating introduced for the first time at Salt Lake Stadium; spectators will be required to occupy the seats assigned to them. Entry will begin two hours before kick-off and security checks will be a core part of the matchday operation.

The fixture, which will be the first senior international meeting between India and Brazil, brings a Brazil squad featuring Vinicius Junior, Marquinhos, Bruno Guimaraes and Endrick to Kolkata and is expected to draw a large crowd. Authorities have cited the presence of several high-profile players as a factor in planning the extensive security operation.

The preparations are taking place under a new West Bengal administration after the BJP won the 2026 Assembly election; Suvendu Adhikari took oath as chief minister on May 9, succeeding Mamata Banerjee, whose Trinamool Congress had governed the state since 2011.

The India v Brazil friendly is scheduled for October 3 at Salt Lake Stadium, with the numbered seating, entry window beginning two hours before kick-off and the three-tier security deployment to be in effect for the match.