Ryan Williams previews India v Brazil at Salt Lake after 1-1 draw with Panama
Ryan Williams has spoken about facing Brazil after India’s 1-1 draw with 44th-ranked Panama in Bengaluru, ahead of the meeting with Brazil at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. The five-time world champions will visit India for the first time for the high-profile fixture.
Indian Football is preparing to host what the organisers describe as its biggest international fixture in history at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata when Brazil lock horns with India. Brazil arrive in their first international window after bowing out of the FIFA World Cup 2026 following a 2-1 defeat to Erling Haaland’s Norway in the Round of 16. India’s recent results include a solitary victory in 2026 against Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers in Kochi and the 1-1 draw with Panama in Bengaluru. The last win, against a side ranked 94 spots above India, followed a poor run in London and Tajikistan and helped reignite hopes around the Blue Tigers.
“I mean, obviously, we don’t have to give them any message because they know how big a game this is. They get their opportunity to see Brazil. We get our opportunity to play Brazil and test ourselves. And, you know, it’s going to be an amazing occasion, one that we are all looking forward to,” Ryan Williams said. Williams scored against Panama in the last game and will be looking to make an impact when India face Brazil.
Indian supporters will see several high-profile Brazilian names in Kolkata, with PSG captain Marquinhos, Real Madrid winger Vini and Arsenal’s star duo of Gabriel Magalhaes and Bruno Guimaraes listed as part of the visiting contingent for the Salt Lake Stadium fixture. “We are all very excited, and it’s really nice that, you know, the fans get to come, and we all get to share this special moment here. Because at the end of the day, it is a special moment. Brazil is coming here to India to play. It’s just, you know, we can make the night even more special for everybody,” Ryan Williams said.
Organisers and players have framed the Kolkata meeting as a landmark occasion for football in India, with the match to be staged at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, popularly known as Salt Lake Stadium. The fixture has been promoted across social channels and includes ticketing and interview links published by the hosts.
Tickets are available at https://t.co/EWNP1YWpEK and the full interview with Williams can be watched at https://t.co/vDKK2SyiSU. India will face Brazil at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.