Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 25: The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) is reportedly close to finalising an agreement with Indian sports organisers to stage an international football friendly in Kolkata, with the match expected to take place during the FIFA international window in early October 2026.
According to reports from Brazilian media, including ESPN Brasil and Estadão, negotiations have reached the final stage, with only contractual formalities remaining before an official announcement is made.
The proposed fixture is expected to be part of FIFA's extended 16-day international window scheduled from late September to early October, providing national teams with additional time for international engagements.
Brazil is also planning to organise more home friendlies in 2027, particularly in cities that have traditionally not hosted the national team, the reports added. The Kolkata fixture is seen as part of the CBF's broader effort to expand the team's global outreach while maintaining a balanced international schedule.
Although organisers from Bangladesh, Singapore and Qatar had also expressed interest in hosting Brazil during the international window, discussions reportedly progressed only with India. The CBF is understood to have declined proposals involving multiple matches in the region, citing concerns over player travel, recovery time and overall squad management.
The friendly would come after Brazil's campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the five-time world champions were eliminated in the Round of 16 by Norway under head coach Carlo Ancelotti.
If the agreement is finalised, it will mark the first appearance of Brazil's senior men's national team in Kolkata, adding another milestone to the city's rich football heritage.
Kolkata has long shared a deep connection with Brazilian football, with generations of fans passionately supporting the Seleção. During the recent FIFA World Cup, the city's enthusiasm was evident through murals and artwork celebrating Brazilian stars such as Neymar and Vinícius Júnior, particularly across several neighbourhoods in north Kolkata.
The proposed match would also revive the city's historic association with South American football that dates back nearly five decades. In September 1977, football legend Pelé captivated thousands of spectators at Eden Gardens when he represented the New York Cosmos in a memorable exhibition match against Mohun Bagan—an event that remains one of the defining moments in Indian football history.
Should the remaining formalities be completed, the Kolkata friendly is expected to become one of the biggest international football events hosted in India in recent years, offering fans a rare opportunity to watch Brazil's national team in action on Indian soil.