Bhaichung Bhutia has criticised the AIFF for choosing a Brazil friendly over the FIFA ASEAN Cup, questioning the reported cost amid Indian football’s financial crisis.

Bhutia Questions Brazil Fixture

Indian football icon Bhaichung Bhutia has questioned the All India Football Federation’s decision to withdraw India from the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup to accommodate a high-profile friendly against Brazil.

India will face five-time world champions Brazil in Kolkata on October 3. Bhutia said he had no objection to Brazil visiting India but questioned the reported ₹50-70 crore expenditure on the fixture when several Indian clubs are facing financial difficulties.

Timing Draws Sharp Criticism

Bhutia said the timing of the Brazil match was the main concern. He argued that India should have prioritised competitive football over an expensive friendly during a difficult period for the domestic game.

“If Brazil were coming free of cost,” Bhutia said, he would have no problem with the fixture. However, he questioned spending ₹50-70 crore on a friendly when ISL and I-League clubs are struggling financially.

His criticism comes as Indian football deals with wider uncertainty surrounding club finances and the structure of domestic competitions.

ASEAN Cup Offered Competition

India had initially accepted FIFA’s invitation to participate in the new tournament and were drawn in Division 1 Group A alongside Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

The competition is scheduled during the September 21 to October 6 FIFA international window. India’s October 3 Brazil fixture in Kolkata created a scheduling clash, prompting the federation to withdraw from the ASEAN Cup.

Bhutia argued that the tournament would have provided India with meaningful competitive matches against teams that have challenged the national side in recent years.

Clubs Face Financial Pressure

The former India captain also linked the decision to the financial problems facing Indian club football.

The uncertainty surrounding the ISL and its commercial structure had already affected the domestic calendar. The 2025-26 ISL season faced a prolonged delay before eventually beginning in a shortened format after intervention from the Sports Ministry.

Tata Steel also exited Jamshedpur FC, with Churchill Brothers taking over the club for a reported symbolic ₹100.

Bhutia Suggests East Bengal Support

Bhutia said the federation should consider directing resources towards clubs representing India in continental competitions.

He pointed to East Bengal’s qualification for the AFC Champions League 2 group stage after their 4-1 victory over Al-Arabi. However, the Kolkata club has also faced financial pressure after Emami withdrew as its title sponsor.

Bhutia suggested that greater financial support for East Bengal could help the club build a stronger squad and compete deeper into the Asian competition.

India’s Rankings Under Pressure

Bhutia also criticised the broader state of Indian football, pointing to the national team’s decline in the FIFA rankings.

He said India had slipped from the top 100 to around 140 and described the recent period as a series of setbacks. However, he said the responsibility should not rest solely with AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey and instead blamed what he described as wider leadership and management problems.

With AIFF elections due later this year, Bhutia expressed hope that a new governing body could begin rebuilding the sport and eventually restore India to the top 100.

New Zealand Tour Gets Backing

Bhutia did support India’s upcoming international tour of New Zealand. India are scheduled to play two matches there on November 12 and 15.

The tour overlaps with the SAFF Championship, but Bhutia said India could send an Under-23 side to the regional tournament while allowing the senior team to gain experience against New Zealand.

He described the New Zealand trip as an opportunity to earn valuable ranking points and test Indian players against a team that recently qualified for the World Cup.

The debate over the Brazil fixture is therefore likely to remain part of the wider conversation around Indian football, with Bhutia urging the AIFF to prioritise long-term development, competitive exposure and financial stability over marquee friendlies.