Indian football team likely to play Brazil in Kolkata

The Indian football team could be set for a blockbuster friendly against five-time world champions Brazil, with the Selecao reportedly scheduled to face the Blue Tigers in Kolkata on October 3. A Brazilian report claims the fixture is part of Brazil's 2026 international calendar, although an official confirmation is still awaited.India might play Brazil in Kolkata this year. (Reuters Photos)The Indian football team could be set for a dream showdown against five-time world champions Brazil, with the Seleo reportedly scheduled to face the Blue Tigers in Kolkata on October 3. According to a report from Brazilian outlet GE Globo, Brazil are set to close out their 2026 roster with three friendlies, two in Australia and one in India.The team is already confirmed to play two friendlies against Australia on September 25 and 29 in Townsville and Brisbane respectively. The report states that the third match of Brazil's October FIFA window will be against India in Kolkata.The fixture, if confirmed, would be one of the biggest matches in the history of Indian football and bring Brazil's star-studded national team to a city that has long had a deep connection with the Selecao.Brazil's visit to India has been the subject of growing speculation over the past week. Earlier reports from ESPN Brasil had suggested that the Brazilian Football Confederation, CBF, was in advanced negotiations to stage a friendly in Kolkata, although the opponent had not been finalised at the time. The latest report from Brazil, however, claims that India will be the opponent and that the match is scheduled for October 3.BRAZIL'S KOLKATA CONNECTIONThe proposed fixture would come after the Brazilian team's World Cup campaign generated enormous interest among Indian fans, particularly in Kolkata. The city once again turned yellow and green during the tournament, with Brazilian flags, murals and cut-outs of players appearing across neighbourhoods. The scenes of thousands of fans celebrating Brazil's matches reportedly caught the attention of the CBF and helped drive discussions about bringing the national team to India.Kolkata's relationship with Brazilian football also stretches back decades. Pele famously played at Eden Gardens in 1977 when New York Cosmos faced Mohun Bagan, an event that remains part of the city's football folklore.If the October 3 fixture goes ahead, however, it would be something entirely different: Brazil's senior national team facing India on Indian soil.For the Blue Tigers, it would also represent a rare opportunity to test themselves against one of the most decorated teams in international football.Brazil's two September matches against Australia are already confirmed, with the CBF having announced the fixtures in Townsville and Brisbane. GE Globo's latest report now points towards Kolkata as the destination for their next stop.An official confirmation and the final contractual details are still awaited. But if the report proves accurate, Kolkata could be preparing for one of the biggest nights in Indian football history.- EndsPublished By: Kingshuk KusariPublished On: Jul 30, 2026 14:00 IST