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.

The India U20 men's football team will face Bangladesh in a crucial final Group B match of the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers on Sunday, with qualification within sight.

The match is scheduled for 4:30 pm IST on September 6 at the Do’stlik Stadium in Tashkent. India enter the contest second in Group B after one win and one defeat. 

India opened their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Syria, with Shami Singamayum scoring the decisive goal late in the match. However, the Blue Colts were beaten 4-0 by hosts Uzbekistan in their second fixture on September 3.

Despite the heavy defeat, India remain second in the group on the head-to-head criterion because of their victory over Syria. Bangladesh, meanwhile, have lost both their matches, going down 0-2 to Uzbekistan and 0-3 to Syria.

The qualification equation, however, is not entirely in India's hands. According to the All India Football Federation, a draw against Bangladesh could be enough for India to finish second, provided Syria do not defeat group leaders Uzbekistan in the other Group B match later on Sunday.

If India finish second, they will enter the race to qualify as one of the seven best runners-up across the eight qualifying groups. The eight group winners and seven best second-placed teams will advance to the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027.

The stakes are particularly high for India, who are seeking to return to the AFC U20 Asian Cup for the first time since 2006, when India hosted the tournament. A successful qualification would end a 20-year absence from the competition.

Head coach Mahesh Gawali has built the squad after an extensive selection process. More than 100 players were assessed during trials before the final 23-member squad was selected for the qualifiers.

Bangladesh's campaign has also suffered a major setback. The Bangladesh Football Federation terminated head coach Gerard Jones' contract after the team's 3-0 defeat to Syria, leaving the side at the bottom of Group B ahead of the India clash.

For India, the immediate objective is clear: avoid another defeat and give themselves the strongest possible chance of securing a place in the continental finals.

Five-time FIFA World Cup champions Brazil will play India in Kolkata on October 3, marking the first-ever meeting between the two countries' men's senior national football teams. The historic international friendly will be played at the Salt Lake Stadium, with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirming the fixture on Thursday evening. Brazil, currently ranked fifth in the world according to the information provided, will also become the highest-ranked opponent India, placed 138th, have ever faced. The fixture could bring some of world football's biggest names to Kolkata. While Neymar Jr is no longer part of Brazil's plans, players such as Vinicius Jr and captain Marquinhos could potentially feature, with Carlo Ancelotti expected to be in charge from the dugout. Final squad selection, however, will determine which Brazilian stars actually travel to India.

The CBF described the October 3 fixture as a special occasion, noting India's enormous support for the Brazilian national team across generations. For Kolkata in particular, Brazil and Brazilian football have a deep connection. The city's most famous encounter with a Brazilian football icon came in 1977, when Pele and New York Cosmos played Mohun Bagan in a 2-2 draw. Pele returned to Kolkata decades later in 2015, but Brazil's senior national team has never previously played on Indian soil. Salt Lake Stadium has hosted other major international football moments as well, including Argentina's match against Venezuela in 2011, when Lionel Messi captained his country for the first time. AIFF called the upcoming India-Brazil match a “date for the history books”. The fixture comes after months of negotiations led by AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey. An AIFF official said convincing a team of Brazil's stature to travel to India and play the national side was not an easy task. The federation is also exploring whether at least one or possibly two Brazil training sessions can be opened to the public, giving supporters another chance to watch the visitors.

Brazil are scheduled to arrive in Kolkata after playing Australia on September 25 and 29. India, meanwhile, face a scheduling challenge because the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup in Indonesia runs from September 24 to October 3. AIFF has therefore decided to send a separate squad for that competition, while another group prepares for the Brazil friendly. Training plans will be worked out in consultation with ISL clubs. According to an AIFF official cited in the information provided, the Indian Super League, currently scheduled to begin on September 4, could potentially be deferred until after the international window ends on October 6. AIFF deputy secretary-general Satyanarayan Muthyalu described Brazil's visit as a landmark chapter for Indian football, while national team director and former India goalkeeper Subrata Paul said playing such opponents can challenge players to grow. India's women's team has previously faced Brazil, playing them in a four-nation tournament in Manaus in 2021, where Manisha Kalyan scored for India. For the men's team, though, October 3 will be entirely new territory. Facing the five-time world champions at one of India's most iconic football venues will provide the Blue Tigers with a rare test and give Kolkata's passionate football supporters a first chance to watch the Brazilian senior national team play in India.

According to a report by ESPN Brazil, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) is in the final stages of talks with local organisers to stage the match. Brazil have already confirmed two friendlies against Australia in September — the first in Townsville on September 25, the second in Brisbane on September 29 — and are now looking at a third fixture in India in early October as a follow-on from that trip. An opponent for the proposed India match hasn't been finalised yet.

Discussions between the CBF and Indian organisers reportedly began during this year's FIFA World Cup in the United States, and only a few formalities and a signed contract are said to be remaining before the fixture is confirmed. If it goes through, it would mark Brazil's first appearance on Indian soil in years and a landmark moment for Indian football.

Kolkata's pitch for the match rests heavily on the city's football culture. During the 2026 World Cup, the city turned unmistakably Brazilian — yellow and green jerseys filled its streets and markets, with thousands of fans turning out in support and their photos going viral internationally. North Kolkata's "FIFA Gully" in the Beniatola area became a talking point once again, with locals decorating the entire lane in World Cup themes, including wall paintings of Neymar and Vinicius Junior, Brazilian flags and football-themed artwork that turned the street into something resembling a mini football museum. The tradition dates back to the 2014 World Cup, when residents first decorated the lane using newspaper cuttings and photographs — it has since become a fixture of Kolkata's football identity, drawing thousands of visitors every World Cup cycle.

Kolkata is often called India's football capital, home to historic clubs like Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting. Even though India has never qualified for a FIFA World Cup, the city has maintained a generations-deep passion for teams like Brazil and Argentina, with the entire city taking on their colours every tournament cycle.

The proposed fixture may fall under FIFA's newly introduced "Super FIFA Window," which gives national teams a 16-day period in which they can play up to four international matches — the structure that's allowing Brazil to schedule both the Australia leg and a potential India stop in the same window.

If confirmed, the match would be more than just a friendly for Indian football — it would represent a rare opportunity to host one of the sport's most successful national teams on home soil, bringing international broadcast attention and a packed stadium that could give Indian football a meaningful moment on the global stage.

FanCode Wins Exclusive Digital Rights for ISL 2025–26

In a major boost for Indian football, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has officially announced that FanCode has secured the exclusive global digital broadcasting rights for the ISL 2025–26 season. The deal, valued at ₹8.62 crore, comes at a crucial time as the Indian Super League prepares for its long-awaited return after months of uncertainty.

The ISL 2025–26 season will kick off on February 14, featuring 91 matches in a truncated format. Each club will play 13 matches on a home-and-away basis, with the official fixture list expected to be released shortly now that broadcast and production partners are finalised.

Why This Announcement Matters Right Now

The return of the ISL 2025–26 is significant for Indian football, which has faced instability following the termination of the Master Rights Agreement by Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) in December. The league was paused for over four months, raising concerns among clubs, players, and fans.

With FanCode stepping in as the broadcaster, the AIFF has taken a key step toward restoring confidence and continuity in the domestic football ecosystem. Digital-first coverage also reflects changing viewer habits, especially among younger sports fans who prefer streaming platforms over traditional television.

FanCode Beats Six Rivals in Competitive Bidding

FanCode, a Dream Sports company, emerged victorious from a competitive bidding process involving seven bidders. The AIFF issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) on January 18, and bids were opened earlier this week. While broadcasters like Sony Sports and Zee Sports showed early interest, they did not submit final bids.

Other contenders included:

 Kaleidoscope Production and Services (KPS Studios)

 Two Circles (UK-based)

 Anandabazar Patrika (ABP)

 JioStar

 Monarch with PR Solutions

 Sportzworks

KPS Studios to Handle ISL Production

While FanCode will manage the global digital broadcast, KPS Studios has been awarded the production rights for the ISL 2025–26, both in India and internationally. According to AIFF, this collaboration aims to deliver a high-quality, seamless viewing experience for football fans.

In its official statement, the AIFF said the FanCode partnership will “strengthen access to Indian football” and help reconnect fans with the league.

Reactions from AIFF and FanCode

AIFF Deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan welcomed the development, highlighting FanCode’s focus on accessibility and fan engagement. FanCode co-founder Yannick Colaco also expressed excitement, calling the ISL a vital addition to the platform’s growing sports portfolio.

What This Means for Fans

For viewers, this deal promises:

 Reliable digital streaming of all ISL 2025–26 matches

 Modern, fan-focused viewing features

 Wider global access to Indian football

As the ISL prepares to restart, the AIFF–FanCode partnership could play a decisive role in shaping a smoother, more stable future for the league and its loyal fan base.