India to take on Panama in FIFA friendly ahead of Brazil clash
&imwidth=600&imheight=450&format=webp&quality=medium "India to take on Panama in FIFA friendly ahead of Brazil clash")
Indian football team Photograph: (X)
Panama’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign ended in the group stage after they lost to Ghana, Croatia and England in Group L and failed to reach the Round of 32.
India’s men’s football team will play Panama in a FIFA international friendly in Sep, ahead of their much-anticipated clash against five-time FIFA World Cup winners Brazil in Kolkata on Oct 3. According to media reports, the match against Panama is likely to be played on Sep 26 or 27 and the venue is yet to be confirmed.
Panama took part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup but failed to reach the Round of 32. They lost to Ghana, Croatia and England in Group L and finished at the bottom of the table.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has reportedly signed a letter of intent with Panama for a friendly in India during the Sep-Oct international window.
“There is a high possibility of an international friendly against another World Cup opponent on October 6,” a senior AIFF official said on Sunday.
“Brazil is done and Panama have agreed in principle to play in India. Talks are ongoing with three countries who featured at the last World Cup for the third friendly during this window. A good result against any of the World Cup participants can boost Indian football’s morale and improve the rankings significantly,” he added.
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Earlier, news agency PTI had reported that India would play Cape Verde in a friendly.
Cape Verde reached the Round of 32 on their World Cup debut in 2026 after finishing second in Group H with draws against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
In their first-ever World Cup knockout game, Cape Verde lost 2-3 to Lionel Messi’s Argentina despite putting up a strong fight against the three-time champions.
India are also scheduled to play two away friendlies against New Zealand in Nov 2026.
Like Panama, Brazil and Cape Verde, New Zealand also featured at the 2026 FIFA World Cup but failed to advance to the Round of 32.
