Bengaluru confirmed as venue for India vs Panama friendly on September 26

Bengaluru will host India's September 26 friendly against Panama at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. The venue confirmation adds another major fixture to India's build-up for their October 3 clash against Brazil in Kolkata.India will play Brazil in Kolkata, Panama in Bengaluru in October. (Photo: Reuters)Bengaluru will host India's international friendly against Panama on September 26, with the Sree Kanteerava Stadium confirmed as the venue for the Blue Tigers' latest World Cup-level test. The fixture itself had already been confirmed, but the announcement now settles where the two sides will meet.The match will bring India back to Bengaluru for the first time since the 2023 SAFF Championship, when the Blue Tigers lifted the trophy at the same stadium after defeating Kuwait in the final. Speaking after the venue confirmation, AIFF vice-president and Karnataka State Football Association president NA Haris welcomed the return of the national team."Bengaluru has always had a special relationship with Indian football, and the atmosphere during the 2023 SAFF Championship, culminating in India lifting the title here, demonstrated the city's passion and support for the national team," Haris said."Hosting another international match against a high-quality World Cup nation like Panama is a grand occasion for the city and an opportunity for football fans across Karnataka to come together and support the Blue Tigers once again." The September 26 game will be India's first meeting with Panama and comes exactly a week before the Blue Tigers face five-time world champions Brazil in Kolkata on October 3. Panama, ranked 44th in the world, also featured at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making the Bengaluru fixture a significant test ahead of the Brazil showdown.WHY BENGALURU IS SIGNIFICANT FOR INDIAThe Sree Kanteerava Stadium has a recent connection with India's national team, having hosted the 2023 SAFF Championship final. India defeated Kuwait on penalties to win the tournament on home soil. The city has also witnessed one of India's notable wins against higher-ranked opposition. In a 2001 FIFA World Cup qualifier, the Blue Tigers defeated the UAE 1-0 in Bengaluru.The return of the national team therefore gives the city another opportunity to host a high-profile international fixture, this time against a side that competed at the 2026 World Cup.PANAMA TEST BEFORE BRAZIL BLOCKBUSTERThe Panama fixture was arranged after the AIFF withdrew India from the FIFA ASEAN Cup because of a scheduling clash with the Brazil friendly.The ASEAN Cup runs from September 24 to October 4, with the final scheduled for October 3, the same day India are due to face Brazil at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium.Panama will consequently serve as India's final competitive test before the much-anticipated Brazil encounter, while two November friendlies against New Zealand will follow on November 12 and 15.- EndsPublished By: Debodinna ChakrabortyPublished On: Aug 27, 2026 16:06 IST