Fascinated by Kolkata’s fandom, Brazil plans a football match in India
The Brazil national football team could return to India for the first time in years, with Kolkata the likely host for an international friendly during the FIFA October window.
According to a report by ESPN Brasil, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) is in advanced talks to schedule a third friendly in India for early October, in addition to the two already confirmed matches against Australia on September 25 in Townsville and September 29 in Brisbane. Opposition to the proposed match in India has yet to be finalised.
Kolkata has been identified as the venue, the report added, with talks between the CBF and local organizers beginning during the recently concluded FIFA World Cup in the United States.
The proposed fixture is believed to have been driven by the overwhelming support Brazil received from football fans in Kolkata during the World Cup. Images of thousands of supporters wearing Brazil’s iconic yellow shirts flooded social media during the tournament, as neighborhoods across the city celebrated the Selecao’s campaign despite India not being part of the competition.
According to the report, only the final details remain before the deal is formalized and contracts are signed.
The friendly is expected to be part of FIFA’s expanded international calendar, with the new “Super FIFA window” allowing national teams to play up to four matches over 16 days, including competitive matches and friendlies.
The report also said the CBF intends to host more domestic friendly matches in 2027 and take the national team to Brazilian cities that have rarely hosted international matches in recent years.
KOLKATA ENHANCED IN BRAZILIAN COLORS
For decades, Kolkata has been considered the heart of Indian football and this year’s World Cup once again showed why.
Large parts of the city turned into a sea of yellow and green during the world tournament. Murals of Neymar and Vinicius Junior appeared in north Kolkata, while giant cutouts of soccer stars and colorful street art celebrated the World Cup in neighborhoods known for their soccer culture.
One of the biggest attractions was the now famous “FIFA Gully” in the Beniatola area, where residents decorated one entire road with portraits of the biggest football stars, flags and World Cup-themed artwork.
The initiative, which began with newspaper clippings pasted on the walls during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, has since grown into one of Kolkata’s most iconic football landmarks. Built entirely by local residents with no commercial sponsorship, the lane has become a symbol of the enduring love for the sport.
“Kolkata is the mecca of football,” resident Sourav Ghosal told Reuters during the World Cup.
The city’s football heritage stretches back over a century through iconic clubs Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting. Although India has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup and currently stands outside football’s elite, generations of supporters in Kolkata have embraced football powerhouses such as Brazil and Argentina during international tournaments.
This passion seems to have left a lasting impression on the Brazilian Football Federation.
If completed, the proposed friendly would bring one of world football’s most decorated national teams to a city that has spent generations celebrating the Selecao from afar, and offer thousands of Indian fans the chance to watch Brazil in person.
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Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
25 Jul 2026 11:04 IST