India’s international friendly against Panama has been rescheduled from September 26 to September 25, 2026, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed on Saturday.

The match will continue to be played at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru as part of the FIFA Men’s International Match Window. AIFF said tickets for the fixture will go live on District next week.

The date was brought forward by a day because the Kanteerava Stadium is scheduled to host the Bengaluru Marathon on September 27. The venue will serve as the starting and finishing point of the marathon, making it difficult to stage the football match on September 26 while allowing sufficient time for preparations and logistics.

The Panama fixture will be a significant test for the Blue Tigers, with Panama ranked 44th in the world and having featured at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match will be India's first international friendly against a World Cup-playing nation during the current international programme.

The Bengaluru fixture will also mark India’s return to the city after more than three years. The national team last played at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium during the 2023 SAFF Championship, when India defeated Kuwait on penalties in the final to win the title.

India’s busy international schedule will continue in October, with the Blue Tigers set to face Brazil on October 3 and Uruguay on October 6 in Kolkata.

The Panama match will therefore serve as an important competitive test ahead of two high-profile encounters against South American opposition.