Sourav Ganguly Anticipates Strong Brazilian Squad for Upcoming Friendly in Kolkata

As the friendly match between India and Brazil approaches, Sourav Ganguly has praised Brazil's footballing prowess and expressed hopes for a strong squad. He believes that such high-level matches are crucial for the development of Indian footballers, providing them with valuable exposure against top-tier opponents. The match is part of a series of friendlies that includes encounters with Panama and Uruguay, all aimed at enhancing the skills of the Indian team. Ganguly's insights highlight the significance of international fixtures in fostering growth within Indian football.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 4, 2026, 00:08 IST

Excitement Builds for India vs. Brazil Friendly Match

As the highly anticipated international friendly match between India and Brazil approaches on October 3, former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has expressed his admiration for Brazil's football legacy. He hopes the Brazilian team arrives in India with a formidable lineup.

Ganguly emphasized that competing against elite teams would offer Indian footballers essential exposure, aiding their development. The match is set to take place in Kolkata, following India's encounter with Panama on September 26 in Bengaluru.

In addition to Brazil, India will also face Uruguay on October 6, providing a series of challenging fixtures against top-ranked teams.

“Football is an incredible sport, and I take great pleasure in watching it. Brazil stands out as one of the premier footballing nations globally, and I sincerely hope they bring a strong squad. Competing against superior players is crucial for our footballers' growth,” Ganguly remarked during a press conference.

He further noted that the presence of Brazil, Uruguay, and Panama in Bengal represents a significant opportunity for Indian football, enhancing players' international experience and skill development.

Ganguly highlighted the necessity of making such high-caliber matches a regular occurrence. “This is a fantastic opportunity for Indian football, and it’s not just Brazil; Uruguay and Panama are also coming to Bengal. It’s vital that we continue to have these matches, as they provide our players with invaluable exposure,” he added.

The upcoming matches will serve as a crucial test for India against World Cup participants, with all three visiting nations having competed in the FIFA World Cup earlier this year.

India's squad for the friendlies against Brazil, Uruguay, and Panama includes:

Goalkeepers: Albino Gomes, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, Som Kumar

Defenders: Abhishek Singh Tekcham, Akash Mishra, Anwar Ali, Bijoy Varghese, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Jay Gupta, Pramveer, Ricky Meetei Haobam

Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Ashique Kuruniyan, Farukh Choudhary, Lalengmawia Ralte, Macarton Nickson, Mohammed Sanan, Ricky Shabong, Sahal Abdul Samad

Forwards: Edmund Lalrindika, Irfan Yadwad, Manvir Singh, Rahim Ali, Ryan Williams, Vikram Partap Singh

Head Coach: Khalid Jamil

Reserves: Hrithik Tiwari, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Roshan Singh Naorem, Suresh Singh Wangjam.