Sourav Ganguly backs India friendlies with Brazil, Panama and Uruguay for exposure

Sourav Ganguly has backed India’s upcoming international friendlies against Brazil, Panama and Uruguay in India, calling the fixtures a valuable opportunity for exposure in a September-October international window, he told the All India Football Federation. The former India cricket captain and one-time BCCI president spoke in favour of regular tests against stronger opposition.

Ganguly, who spent more than a decade representing India in international cricket and later served in cricket administration, said matches involving teams such as Brazil, Uruguay and Panama present a chance for Indian footballers to compete against higher-quality opponents. He described the visits as a significant step towards giving players much-needed exposure at the highest level.

Asked about the importance of such fixtures, Ganguly said: "It’s good. Why wouldn’t it be good to play football against big teams?" He added that facing superior opponents is crucial to a team’s development and should not be restricted to one-off events.

On the need for continuity, he said: "This needs to happen throughout the year so that players get proper exposure. I always believe that playing against teams better than yourself helps improve your own game," emphasising year-round opportunities for Indian players.

Drawing on his experience in cricket, Ganguly said: "Look at cricket, they play against top-quality teams all year round, which is why they get better. The same approach needs to be applied here," arguing for a sustained international calendar for football.

He expressed hope that the All India Football Federation would continue to build a stronger and more consistent international schedule for Indian football. Coming from one of Indian sport’s most respected voices, Ganguly’s message was presented as carrying particular weight in discussions about the national team’s development.

The Blue Tigers will host multiple visiting sides in the September-October window and are scheduled to face Panama on September 26, 2026 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru; India will play Brazil on 3rd October at the VYBK Stadium, Kolkata. Khalid Jamil is the head coach of the Indian football team.