Shabbir Ali: India’s friendlies with Brazil and Uruguay a learning opportunity

Former India captain Shabbir Ali said on August 29, 2026 that India’s upcoming international friendlies in Bengaluru and Kolkata — including matches against Brazil and Uruguay — offer the current squad a rare chance to test themselves. He added he will be in Kolkata to watch the matches live.

Shabbir recalled facing Argentina and Uruguay during his playing career, noting India lost 1-0 to Argentina in the Nehru Cup and 3-1 to Uruguay. He said the Argentina side featured several top players who later went on to play at the 1986 FIFA World Cup and added, "Only Maradona and one other player were missing," Shabbir Ali said. In the 3-1 loss to Uruguay he recalled Manas Bhattacharya scored India’s goal.

Shabbir said matches against elite opponents can give current players valuable exposure and confidence. "There’s a big difference in rankings, but our boys will gain confidence. It will be a wonderful learning experience for the current players," he said, urging the team to take lessons from facing higher-quality opposition.

He predicted significant local interest, particularly in Kolkata where he said football holds a special place among supporters. Shabbir pointed to Lionel Messi’s visit to the city in 2011 and the turnout for Brazil veterans in Chennai as antecedents, saying, "When major teams visit, excitement naturally skyrockets. When Messi came back in 2011, people travelled all the way from Hyderabad to Kolkata, just to watch him play. I also saw it when Brazil veterans played in Chennai, the turnout and energy were incredible. This will be even bigger," he said.

Shabbir also recalled Diego Maradona’s visit to Kolkata in 2008 and his personal reaction at the time. "I’m excited just watching from the sidelines. If I could turn back time, it would be incredible. Back in 2008, when I was coaching a team and Maradona visited Kolkata, the atmosphere was unreal," he said.

India will face Panama in Bengaluru on September 26 before taking on Brazil on October 3 and Uruguay on October 6 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.