For days, there had been a strange question hanging over Kolkata. Where was the buzz? Brazil were in town. Five-time world champions. One of the biggest names in the history of football. Yet, in the build-up to their friendly against India, the streets had seemed surprisingly quiet. There were no overwhelming crowds. No city-wide sea of yellow. No sense that one of football's most decorated teams had arrived in a city known for its deep love of the sport.&nbsp;But on Saturday, as the hours ticked towards kick-off, Kolkata finally woke up. And when it did, it made itself heard. The scene outside the Salt Lake Stadium was surreal. Thousands of football fans started making their way towards the venue, turning the area around the stadium into a carnival of colours, chants and anticipation. The most striking part was the sheer diversity of the crowd. There were children, some barely nine or ten years old, arriving with their parents. There were teenagers carrying the excitement of watching their footballing heroes in the flesh. There were young adults, older fans and parents who had clearly waited a long time for an occasion like this.&nbsp;Different generations. One football match. One extraordinary evening. For some, it was about Brazil. For others, it was about India. And for many, it was simply about being present for a moment that they knew would be remembered. The atmosphere outside the stadium was electric. The quietness of the previous few days seemed to have disappeared completely. Instead, the roads around Salt Lake Stadium were filled with noise. “India, India!” The chant echoed through the crowd. Then came another. “Brazil, Brazil!” The two chants competed for space in the Kolkata night, creating a soundtrack that perfectly captured what this match meant to the fans.&nbsp;India supporters arrived wearing the national team's colours, while Brazilian fans proudly displayed yellow jerseys and flags. Some had painted their faces. Some carried flags. Some simply came wearing the shirts of their favourite players. And then there were the children, perhaps the most telling sign of what the occasion meant. For a nine- or ten-year-old football fan, watching Brazil live in Kolkata is not just another match. It is an experience that could become a childhood memory carried for decades.&nbsp;They may not have seen some of Brazil's greatest legends play. They may know Neymar more than Ronaldinho, Vinicius Jr more than Ronaldo, and today's Selecao more than the teams that once dominated the world. But the attraction remains. The yellow shirt still means Brazil. And on this night, it was everywhere.<h2>Kolkata finally found its football voice</h2>The transformation was remarkable. Just hours earlier, questions had surrounded the level of excitement around the fixture. But outside Salt Lake Stadium, there was no such doubt. Football had taken over. Families walked towards the gates together. Groups of friends sang and chanted. Children held flags bigger than themselves. Fans stopped to take photographs, capture videos and simply soak in the atmosphere.&nbsp;For many, the match was almost secondary to the experience of being there. Because this was not just India playing Brazil. This was Kolkata getting to host Brazil. A city that has spent generations arguing, celebrating and sometimes fighting over football had finally been given the kind of occasion it could embrace. And Kolkata embraced it.<h2>A match that brought generations together</h2>Perhaps the most beautiful sight was the number of families arriving together. Parents brought their children. Children dragged their parents towards the stadium. Some had travelled simply to give their kids the chance to see Brazil live. For the younger generation, these are the moments that can shape how they remember football. Years from now, they may not remember every pass or every chance.&nbsp;But they may remember the walk towards Salt Lake Stadium. They may remember the noise. They may remember the Brazilian flags. They may remember thousands of people chanting around them. They may remember standing beside their parents and watching one of football's biggest teams arrive on Indian soil. And they may remember one simple fact: Brazil came to Kolkata, and they were there to see it.<h2>From silence to carnival</h2>The contrast with the build-up could hardly have been greater. There had been questions about the atmosphere. There had been discussion about ticket sales and prices. There had been an absence of the kind of street-level frenzy many expected. But perhaps Kolkata was simply waiting. Waiting for the moment to arrive. And when it did, the city responded in the language it knows best.&nbsp;Football. The roads around Salt Lake Stadium became a meeting point for generations of supporters. The young. The old. The casual fan. The die-hard. The Brazil supporter. The India supporter. Everyone had their own reason for being there. But they shared the same destination. The stadium.&nbsp;And as the chants grew louder outside, one thing became clear. Whatever had been missing from Kolkata in the days leading up to the match had finally arrived. The noise. The colour. The emotion. The anticipation. The football fever.Kolkata had finally woken up. And on a night when India stood across the pitch from five-time world champions Brazil, the city made sure it would not be a silent witness to history.

Kolkata comes alive as thousands of fans gather at Salt Lake Stadium for the historic Brazil vs India friendly, with India and Brazil chants echoing outside

For days, there had been a strange question hanging over Kolkata. Where was the buzz? Brazil were in town. Five-time world champions. One of the biggest names in the history of football. Yet, in the build-up to their friendly against India, the streets had seemed surprisingly quiet. There were no overwhelming crowds. No city-wide sea of yellow. No sense that one of football's most decorated teams had arrived in a city known for its deep love of the sport. But on Saturday, as the hours ticked towards kick-off, Kolkata finally woke up. And when it did, it made itself heard. The scene outside the Salt Lake Stadium was surreal. Thousands of football fans started making their way towards the venue, turning the area around the stadium into a carnival of colours, chants and anticipation. The most striking part was the sheer diversity of the crowd. There were children, some barely nine or ten years old, arriving with their parents. There were teenagers carrying the excitement of watching their footballing heroes in the flesh. There were young adults, older fans and parents who had clearly waited a long time for an occasion like this. Different generations. One football match. One extraordinary evening. For some, it was about Brazil. For others, it was about India. And for many, it was simply about being present for a moment that they knew would be remembered. The atmosphere outside the stadium was electric. The quietness of the previous few days seemed to have disappeared completely. Instead, the roads around Salt Lake Stadium were filled with noise. “India, India!” The chant echoed through the crowd. Then came another. “Brazil, Brazil!” The two chants competed for space in the Kolkata night, creating a soundtrack that perfectly captured what this match meant to the fans. India supporters arrived wearing the national team's colours, while Brazilian fans proudly displayed yellow jerseys and flags. Some had painted their faces. Some carried flags. Some simply came wearing the shirts of their favourite players. And then there were the children, perhaps the most telling sign of what the occasion meant. For a nine- or ten-year-old football fan, watching Brazil live in Kolkata is not just another match. It is an experience that could become a childhood memory carried for decades. They may not have seen some of Brazil's greatest legends play. They may know Neymar more than Ronaldinho, Vinicius Jr more than Ronaldo, and today's Selecao more than the teams that once dominated the world. But the attraction remains. The yellow shirt still means Brazil. And on this night, it was everywhere. Kolkata finally found its football voice The transformation was remarkable. Just hours earlier, questions had surrounded the level of excitement around the fixture. But outside Salt Lake Stadium, there was no such doubt. Football had taken over. Families walked towards the gates together. Groups of friends sang and chanted. Children held flags bigger than themselves. Fans stopped to take photographs, capture videos and simply soak in the atmosphere. For many, the match was almost secondary to the experience of being there. Because this was not just India playing Brazil. This was Kolkata getting to host Brazil. A city that has spent generations arguing, celebrating and sometimes fighting over football had finally been given the kind of occasion it could embrace. And Kolkata embraced it. A match that brought generations together Perhaps the most beautiful sight was the number of families arriving together. Parents brought their children. Children dragged their parents towards the stadium. Some had travelled simply to give their kids the chance to see Brazil live. For the younger generation, these are the moments that can shape how they remember football. Years from now, they may not remember every pass or every chance. But they may remember the walk towards Salt Lake Stadium. They may remember the noise. They may remember the Brazilian flags. They may remember thousands of people chanting around them. They may remember standing beside their parents and watching one of football's biggest teams arrive on Indian soil. And they may remember one simple fact: Brazil came to Kolkata, and they were there to see it. From silence to carnival The contrast with the build-up could hardly have been greater. There had been questions about the atmosphere. There had been discussion about ticket sales and prices. There had been an absence of the kind of street-level frenzy many expected. But perhaps Kolkata was simply waiting. Waiting for the moment to arrive. And when it did, the city responded in the language it knows best. Football. The roads around Salt Lake Stadium became a meeting point for generations of supporters. The young. The old. The casual fan. The die-hard. The Brazil supporter. The India supporter. Everyone had their own reason for being there. But they shared the same destination. The stadium. And as the chants grew louder outside, one thing became clear. Whatever had been missing from Kolkata in the days leading up to the match had finally arrived. The noise. The colour. The emotion. The anticipation. The football fever. Kolkata had finally woken up. And on a night when India stood across the pitch from five-time world champions Brazil, the city made sure it would not be a silent witness to history.

Kolkata finally erupts as thousands of fans, from young children to parents, gather at Salt Lake Stadium for the historic Brazil-India clash

Kolkata finally wakes up: Thousands flock to Salt Lake stadium for historic India-Brazil clash

The gulf between India and five-time world champions Brazil may be enormous, but India head coach Khalid Jamil wants his players to embrace the occasion rather than be overwhelmed by it. With the Blue Tigers set to face sixth-ranked Brazil at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday in one of the biggest games in Indian football, Jamil has urged his players to handle the pressure, keep their approach simple and give everything on the pitch.&nbsp;India head into the blockbuster encounter less than a week after holding world no. 44 Panama to a 1-1 draw, but Jamil knows Brazil present an entirely different challenge. "Pressure is there. I am not lying. Pressure is there. But we must take pressure," Jamil said at the pre-match press conference on Friday. Asked whether the magnitude of the occasion could lead to sleepless nights, Jamil acknowledged the importance of the game but insisted that his players must focus on their task. "Talking about sleep, everybody knows the importance of this game. And tomorrow, yes, we have to give our best."<h2>Jamil's message to India: Keep it simple</h2>For Jamil, Brazil's stature should not force India to abandon its basic principles. The India coach wants his players to concentrate on their individual responsibilities rather than attempt something extraordinary simply because they are facing one of the world's most decorated teams. "According to me, you must do simple things. Not to do extra," he said.&nbsp;Jamil also warned that against a team of Brazil's quality, even small mistakes could prove costly. “We already told the player, we are playing with good team. Any mistake will cost us very badly. So, we have to give our best and be cautious.” The coach also rejected the idea that India can approach the match with a 'nothing-to-lose' mentality. "No, it is not like that. Yes, we are playing with a good team. One of the best teams in the world. But we have to take responsibility and give our best. Not to take it lightly," he said. "The result, it is not in our hand. If you give your best, anything can happen."<h2>India ready to adapt against Brazil</h2>Jamil is not committing his team to a purely defensive approach against Brazil. Instead, he said India will adapt according to how the game develops. "If it is required to be defensive, we have to be defensive. If we have to attack, we will attack according to the situation," Jamil said. “And yes, if you are playing a stronger team, defensively you have to be strong.” The India coach also warned his players against focusing solely on Brazil's biggest stars, insisting that the Selecao possess quality throughout their squad. "They are defensively very strong. Attacking is good. If we don't focus on one thing, we have to concentrate on the other," he said. "Overall, we have to be alert all the time. Because they have quality players. They don't have only one player. All the players, even a substitute."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/it-s-my-first-and-last-game-marquinhos-reveals-mindset-ahead-of-brazil-s-india-clash-1791011215212">‘It’s my first and last game’: Marquinhos reveals mindset ahead of Brazil’s India clash</a><h2>‘Fear will be there’: Jamil on Brazil pressure</h2>Jamil accepted that fear and pressure are inevitable when India face a team of Brazil's stature. His message, however, is that his players must learn to manage those emotions rather than allow them to dictate their performance. “Fear will be there. As I told you, pressure will be there. We have to handle pressure. Just go there and give your best. Whatever responsibility is given, you must think on it and do simple things.” With expectations building around the historic encounter, Jamil had a simple message for those supporting the national team. "We have, everyone must support India. Only one word. That's it," he signed off.<h2>Anwar Ali: India must trust Jamil's plan</h2>India defender Anwar Ali echoed his coach's call for composure, saying the players must trust the tactical plan and take responsibility on the pitch. "We have to just go through our coach's plan. So we have to follow that. And in the field, we have to take responsibilities. Every player has to prove themselves and give their 100 per cent," Anwar said.&nbsp;The defender said India's performance against Panama can provide confidence, but believes the team must now turn its attention completely towards Brazil. “I think last match we played very good. But we have to forget that match because we have a very big game tomorrow. So we have to focus on that and give our 100%.” Anwar also acknowledged that India will have to make tactical adjustments because Brazil pose a different challenge from Panama. "As I said, Brazil and Panama have different tactics. So, we have to go through our coach's plan. In that game, we had different plans. So, in this game, maybe we will change," he said. "And maybe we will see what we have done mistakenly in the last game. So, we don't have to do the same."<h2>Anwar calls for calm against Brazil</h2>The India defender said respecting Brazil's quality should not translate into fear or overthinking. "Of course, we have to take pressure because it is a very big game. We don't have to be casual or over-thinking. We just have to focus," he said.“Because everyone knows how Brazil play and what they are. So, we just have to keep calm in the field and give our best.” With the spotlight firmly on the Salt Lake Stadium, Anwar said India's players understand the significance of the occasion and what a strong performance could mean for Indian football. "We just have to give our best so that we can do something in Indian football."

India coach Khalid Jamil urges the Blue Tigers to handle pressure and keep it simple against Brazil, while Anwar Ali calls for calm in Kolkata

The gulf between India and five-time world champions Brazil may be enormous, but India head coach Khalid Jamil wants his players to embrace the occasion rather than be overwhelmed by it. With the Blue Tigers set to face sixth-ranked Brazil at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday in one of the biggest games in Indian football, Jamil has urged his players to handle the pressure, keep their approach simple and give everything on the pitch. India head into the blockbuster encounter less than a week after holding world no. 44 Panama to a 1-1 draw, but Jamil knows Brazil present an entirely different challenge. "Pressure is there. I am not lying. Pressure is there. But we must take pressure," Jamil said at the pre-match press conference on Friday. Asked whether the magnitude of the occasion could lead to sleepless nights, Jamil acknowledged the importance of the game but insisted that his players must focus on their task. "Talking about sleep, everybody knows the importance of this game. And tomorrow, yes, we have to give our best." Jamil's message to India: Keep it simple For Jamil, Brazil's stature should not force India to abandon its basic principles. The India coach wants his players to concentrate on their individual responsibilities rather than attempt something extraordinary simply because they are facing one of the world's most decorated teams. "According to me, you must do simple things. Not to do extra," he said. Jamil also warned that against a team of Brazil's quality, even small mistakes could prove costly. “We already told the player, we are playing with good team. Any mistake will cost us very badly. So, we have to give our best and be cautious.” The coach also rejected the idea that India can approach the match with a 'nothing-to-lose' mentality. "No, it is not like that. Yes, we are playing with a good team. One of the best teams in the world. But we have to take responsibility and give our best. Not to take it lightly," he said. "The result, it is not in our hand. If you give your best, anything can happen." India ready to adapt against Brazil Jamil is not committing his team to a purely defensive approach against Brazil. Instead, he said India will adapt according to how the game develops. "If it is required to be defensive, we have to be defensive. If we have to attack, we will attack according to the situation," Jamil said. “And yes, if you are playing a stronger team, defensively you have to be strong.” The India coach also warned his players against focusing solely on Brazil's biggest stars, insisting that the Selecao possess quality throughout their squad. "They are defensively very strong. Attacking is good. If we don't focus on one thing, we have to concentrate on the other," he said. "Overall, we have to be alert all the time. Because they have quality players. They don't have only one player. All the players, even a substitute." Also Read: ‘It’s my first and last game’: Marquinhos reveals mindset ahead of Brazil’s India clash ‘Fear will be there’: Jamil on Brazil pressure Jamil accepted that fear and pressure are inevitable when India face a team of Brazil's stature. His message, however, is that his players must learn to manage those emotions rather than allow them to dictate their performance. “Fear will be there. As I told you, pressure will be there. We have to handle pressure. Just go there and give your best. Whatever responsibility is given, you must think on it and do simple things.” With expectations building around the historic encounter, Jamil had a simple message for those supporting the national team. "We have, everyone must support India. Only one word. That's it," he signed off. Anwar Ali: India must trust Jamil's plan India defender Anwar Ali echoed his coach's call for composure, saying the players must trust the tactical plan and take responsibility on the pitch. "We have to just go through our coach's plan. So we have to follow that. And in the field, we have to take responsibilities. Every player has to prove themselves and give their 100 per cent," Anwar said. The defender said India's performance against Panama can provide confidence, but believes the team must now turn its attention completely towards Brazil. “I think last match we played very good. But we have to forget that match because we have a very big game tomorrow. So we have to focus on that and give our 100%.” Anwar also acknowledged that India will have to make tactical adjustments because Brazil pose a different challenge from Panama. "As I said, Brazil and Panama have different tactics. So, we have to go through our coach's plan. In that game, we had different plans. So, in this game, maybe we will change," he said. "And maybe we will see what we have done mistakenly in the last game. So, we don't have to do the same." Anwar calls for calm against Brazil The India defender said respecting Brazil's quality should not translate into fear or overthinking. "Of course, we have to take pressure because it is a very big game. We don't have to be casual or over-thinking. We just have to focus," he said. “Because everyone knows how Brazil play and what they are. So, we just have to keep calm in the field and give our best.” With the spotlight firmly on the Salt Lake Stadium, Anwar said India's players understand the significance of the occasion and what a strong performance could mean for Indian football. "We just have to give our best so that we can do something in Indian football."

Coach Khalid Jamil urges India to handle pressure, keep it simple and give their best against five-time world champions Brazil in Kolkata

India vs Brazil: ‘We have to handle pressure’, Khalid Jamil tells players ahead of historic clash in Kolkata

India are set to play Brazil in a historic friendly football match on October 3 in Kolkata at the city's iconic Salt Lake Stadium, also known as the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan. It is the first time India will face five-time FIFA World Cup champion Brazil in a football match. Apart from Brazil, India will also face Panama on September 26 and Uruguay—a two-time FIFA World Cup winner—on October 6. The matches, according to India football head coach Khalid Jamil, "will be a turning point for Indian football." Tickets for the much-anticipated India vs Brazil football match have gone live for sale on the District app.<h2>What India vs Brazil means for football in the country</h2>At the FIFA World Cup 2026, India were criticised for not being able to qualify despite having far greater resources than some participating nations, including Cape Verde. These matches against high-profile teams, coach Jamil said, are "a very good thing happening for Indian football" ahead of next year's 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/pcb-linkedin-fielding-coach-vacancy-pakistan-cricket-shakeup-1788356845017">PCB turns to LinkedIn to hire new fielding coach after Test shake-up</a>"We are playing Brazil for the first time in history. We must think positively. We must focus on only one thing: India must go ahead. Our main target is next year, 2027, Asian Cup qualification. Before that, we are playing with strong teams. This is a very good thing happening for Indian football,” Jamil said to news agency PTI in an interview on Wednesday (Sep 2)."This is history for India. If anybody talks negatively, he must stop. We need support from the fans. I feel that if the crowd supports India 100 per cent, the players will be motivated and will perform well. It is very useful for the players and for everyone. It is a motivation. It is one step, and then the next step is that we need to play more matches to gain confidence," he added.<h2>Where to buy India vs Brazil match tickets</h2>The India vs Brazil match is scheduled to be played on October 3 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, starting at 7:00 PM IST. The gates will open at 4:00 PM IST for ticket holders, who can <a href="https://www.district.in/events/fifa-international-friendly-india-vs-brazil-buy-tickets">make purchases via the District app</a>. Below are the ticket prices for various stands, which start at INR 999 and go up to INR 15,000:

India vs Brazil Football Friendly Seat Layout

<ul><li>VIP Left / VIP Right: Rs 15,000</li><li>A2 (Left) / A2 (Right): Rs 9,000</li><li>A3 (Left) / A3 (Right), C2 (Left) / C2 (Right): Rs 7,000</li><li>B2, C3 (Left) / C3 (Right), D2: Rs 6,000</li><li>A1 (Left) Gold / A1 (Right) Gold, B3, D3: Rs 4,500</li><li>C1 (Left) Gold / C1 (Right) Gold, A1 (Left) Silver / A1 (Right) Silver: Rs 3,500</li><li>B1 Gold, D1 Gold: Rs 2,500</li><li>C1 (Left) Silver / C1 (Right) Silver: Rs 2,000</li><li>B1 Silver, D1 Silver: Rs 999–Rs 1,500</li></ul>

India will play Brazil for the first time in a historic friendly on Oct 3 in Kolkata, alongside games vs Panama and Uruguay. Head coach Khalid Jamil called it a turning point for Indian football.

India are set to play Brazil in a historic friendly football match on October 3 in Kolkata at the city's iconic Salt Lake Stadium, also known as the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan. It is the first time India will face five-time FIFA World Cup champion Brazil in a football match. Apart from Brazil, India will also face Panama on September 26 and Uruguay—a two-time FIFA World Cup winner—on October 6. The matches, according to India football head coach Khalid Jamil, "will be a turning point for Indian football." Tickets for the much-anticipated India vs Brazil football match have gone live for sale on the District app. What India vs Brazil means for football in the country At the FIFA World Cup 2026, India were criticised for not being able to qualify despite having far greater resources than some participating nations, including Cape Verde. These matches against high-profile teams, coach Jamil said, are "a very good thing happening for Indian football" ahead of next year's 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification. Also Read - PCB turns to LinkedIn to hire new fielding coach after Test shake-up "We are playing Brazil for the first time in history. We must think positively. We must focus on only one thing: India must go ahead. Our main target is next year, 2027, Asian Cup qualification. Before that, we are playing with strong teams. This is a very good thing happening for Indian football,” Jamil said to news agency PTI in an interview on Wednesday (Sep 2). "This is history for India. If anybody talks negatively, he must stop. We need support from the fans. I feel that if the crowd supports India 100 per cent, the players will be motivated and will perform well. It is very useful for the players and for everyone. It is a motivation. It is one step, and then the next step is that we need to play more matches to gain confidence," he added. Where to buy India vs Brazil match tickets The India vs Brazil match is scheduled to be played on October 3 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, starting at 7:00 PM IST. The gates will open at 4:00 PM IST for ticket holders, who can make purchases via the District app. Below are the ticket prices for various stands, which start at INR 999 and go up to INR 15,000:

India will play Brazil for the first time in a historic friendly on Oct 3 in Kolkata, alongside games vs Panama and Uruguay. Head coach Khalid Jamil called it a turning point for Indian football.

India vs Brazil football friendly tickets go on sale and coach Khalid Jamil wants 'support from the fans'

Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia said that he "feels sorry" for Khalid Jamil, who has taken the reins of the national football side during challenging times for the sport in the country, and opined that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) selected him because he won't impose too many demands.Jamil, who has been hired to replace Spaniard Manolo Marquez, is the first Indian in 13 years to become head coach of the senior national team. He was hired for a two-year deal that has an option to extend for a further year.&nbsp;“We have got two world-class coaches (Igor Stimac and Manolo Marquez) leaving… If these two coaches couldn’t work with the federation, then you bring people who will listen and will do what the federation says…,” Bhutia was quoted saying to PTI Videos after the Fidel Castro Centenary Football Cup’s exhibition match. “I think Jamil being a domestic coach fits into that, as he is fairly new to the team. I (feel) sorry for him as well, as he is taking charge of the team when it’s in a very difficult situation,” he added. &nbsp;Jamil was appointed over Stephen Constantine and Stefan Tarkovic. Targeting AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, Bhutia said, "For Kalyan, he (Jamil) is the right man because Indian coaches don't expect much. “At the same time, he is saying that there are financial problems, and today the federation has gone into such a bad situation that we don’t have money to pay the coaches as well.” &nbsp;Chaubey had only recently admitted that club football is "undergoing a crisis" from the uncertainty of the Indian Super League while blaming the situation on "some vested interest self-claimed reformers".Bhutia also expressed concerns with how the federation has handled administrative issues.&nbsp;“When the Supreme Court appointed the ad-hoc committee to run the federation for the Under-17 Women’s World Cup, the federation should have asked the SC whether we can run it, or we should have a new body."&nbsp;“That delay of three years clashed with the MRA rights getting over. That timing could have been tackled much more before coming to this stage. They should have gone to the SC and asked. I have been saying this to find out whether this body can continue, which they did not do purposely,” Bhutia added.&nbsp;India will participate in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, which begins on August 29 in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. “It’s a great tournament and good for the Indian team as well, but as I said that (Indian) football is in a mess. You should have sat with the ISL, FSDL (Football Sports Development Limited) and the new coach and then taken the call,” Bhutia said. “And when you start playing this tournament, and suddenly you are trying to play the Super Cup and ISL. Then how does that work? I think it’s going to be a total mess.&nbsp;“If tomorrow, ISL comes in and says we’re gonna start playing, then you will not have some of the best players playing for the club,” he signed off.

‘Feel sorry for him’: Bhaichung Bhutia on Jamil taking charge amid crisis in Indian football

Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia said that he "feels sorry" for Khalid Jamil, who has taken the reins of the national football side during challenging times for the sport in the country, and opined that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) selected him because he won't impose too many demands. Jamil, who has been hired to replace Spaniard Manolo Marquez, is the first Indian in 13 years to become head coach of the senior national team. He was hired for a two-year deal that has an option to extend for a further year. “We have got two world-class coaches (Igor Stimac and Manolo Marquez) leaving… If these two coaches couldn’t work with the federation, then you bring people who will listen and will do what the federation says…,” Bhutia was quoted saying to PTI Videos after the Fidel Castro Centenary Football Cup’s exhibition match. “I think Jamil being a domestic coach fits into that, as he is fairly new to the team. I (feel) sorry for him as well, as he is taking charge of the team when it’s in a very difficult situation,” he added. Jamil was appointed over Stephen Constantine and Stefan Tarkovic. Targeting AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, Bhutia said, "For Kalyan, he (Jamil) is the right man because Indian coaches don't expect much. “At the same time, he is saying that there are financial problems, and today the federation has gone into such a bad situation that we don’t have money to pay the coaches as well.” Chaubey had only recently admitted that club football is "undergoing a crisis" from the uncertainty of the Indian Super League while blaming the situation on "some vested interest self-claimed reformers". Bhutia also expressed concerns with how the federation has handled administrative issues. “When the Supreme Court appointed the ad-hoc committee to run the federation for the Under-17 Women’s World Cup, the federation should have asked the SC whether we can run it, or we should have a new body." “That delay of three years clashed with the MRA rights getting over. That timing could have been tackled much more before coming to this stage. They should have gone to the SC and asked. I have been saying this to find out whether this body can continue, which they did not do purposely,” Bhutia added. India will participate in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, which begins on August 29 in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. “It’s a great tournament and good for the Indian team as well, but as I said that (Indian) football is in a mess. You should have sat with the ISL, FSDL (Football Sports Development Limited) and the new coach and then taken the call,” Bhutia said. “And when you start playing this tournament, and suddenly you are trying to play the Super Cup and ISL. Then how does that work? I think it’s going to be a total mess. “If tomorrow, ISL comes in and says we’re gonna start playing, then you will not have some of the best players playing for the club,” he signed off.

Jamil, who is succeeding Spaniard Manolo Marquez, is the first Indian in 13 years to take charge as head coach of the senior national team. He has signed a two-year deal, with an option for a one-year extension

The Indian men’s football team has a new head coach in Khalid Jamil. The former East Bengal and Mohun Bagan manager, famous among the football managerial faculty in the subcontinent, has been entrusted with rebuilding the side following the exit of ex-coach Manolo Marquez. Jamil, who oversees head coach duties at Jamshedpur FC in the Indian Super League (ISL), will take over the Indian team; however, the governing body (AIFF) has not mentioned when he will start in his new position.&nbsp;His appointment, however, sees him become the first Indian to coach the national football team in 13 years, with Savio Medeira being the last (Indian) in charge of the side from October 2011 till March 2012.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-s-first-ever-tech-driven-girls-football-academy-launched-in-collaboration-with-aiff-1753974573266">India's first-ever tech-driven girls' football academy launched in collaboration with AIFF</a> &nbsp;"The AIFF Executive Committee, in the presence of the Technical Committee, has approved the appointment of Khalid Jamil as the new head coach of the Senior India Men's National Team," the AIFF said in a statement.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The AIFF Executive Committee, in the presence of the Technical Committee, has approved the appointment of Khalid Jamil as the new head coach of the Senior India Men&#39;s National Team.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndianFootball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndianFootball</a> ⚽️ <a href="https://t.co/R1FQ61pyr4">pic.twitter.com/R1FQ61pyr4</a>&mdash; Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndianFootball/status/1951176408408981578?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Meanwhile, with several high-profile names fighting for this one spot, Jamil received the nod ahead of former India head coach Stephen Constantine for this very role. Late last month, a PTI report claimed that given AIFF’s financial constraints, they were likely to pick an Indian (Jamil in this case) for the head coach position.&nbsp; &nbsp;Jamil, however, could begin his tenure as early as this month, with India due to play in the FIFA international match window in September in their AFC Asian Cup qualifying round games on October 9 and 14, against Singapore.<h3>Who is Khalid Jamil?</h3>Jamil has been a former Indian midfielder and now an AFC Pro Licensed coach; he has also been named the AIFF Coach of the Year on two occasions (2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons).&nbsp; &nbsp;Born on April 21, 1977, in Kuwait City to Indian parents, Khalid played club football (in India) for several teams, including Mahindra United, Air India, and Mumbai FC, even representing the national team from 1998 to 2006. However, injuries forced him into early retirement, but he swiftly transitioned into coaching.&nbsp; &nbsp;Following his stint with Mumbai FC, which put him in the spotlight, Khalid guided Aizawl FC to a historic I-League title in 2016-17, making them the first team from Northeast India to win the national league. It also helped him earn the Syed Abdul Rahim Best Coach Award. &nbsp;Years later, in 2021, Jamil became the first Indian coach of an ISL side, NorthEast United FC, breaking a long-standing barrier in Indian football. As things stand, he is Jamshedpur FC’s head coach, having led the team to a Super Cup semi-final appearance.&nbsp; &nbsp;Moreover, the new Indian head coach, Jamil, is known for his defensive discipline, tactical flexibility, and development of young talent. He is also considered a leading contender for the Indian national team coaching role.

Jamil's appointment, however, sees him become the first Indian to coach the national football team in 13 years, with Savio Medeira being the last (Indian) in charge of the side from October 2011 till March 2012.

The Indian men’s football team has a new head coach in Khalid Jamil. The former East Bengal and Mohun Bagan manager, famous among the football managerial faculty in the subcontinent, has been entrusted with rebuilding the side following the exit of ex-coach Manolo Marquez. Jamil, who oversees head coach duties at Jamshedpur FC in the Indian Super League (ISL), will take over the Indian team; however, the governing body (AIFF) has not mentioned when he will start in his new position. His appointment, however, sees him become the first Indian to coach the national football team in 13 years, with Savio Medeira being the last (Indian) in charge of the side from October 2011 till March 2012. Also read | India's first-ever tech-driven girls' football academy launched in collaboration with AIFF "The AIFF Executive Committee, in the presence of the Technical Committee, has approved the appointment of Khalid Jamil as the new head coach of the Senior India Men's National Team," the AIFF said in a statement.

Jamil's appointment, however, sees him become the first Indian to coach the national football team in 13 years, with Savio Medeira being the last (Indian) in charge of the side from October 2011 till March 2012.

Khalid Jamil joins Indian men’s football team as new head coach. Who is he?

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Khalid Jamil joins Indian men’s football team as new head coach. Who is he?