India withdraws from FIFA ASEAN Cup to prioritise high-profile Brazil fixture in October: Report

The Indian football team has withdrawn from the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup, scheduled for September‑October 2026, to prioritise the high‑profile international friendly against Brazil.

India has pulled out of the FIFA ASEAN Cup, which was scheduled to take place in the September-October 2026 window, to prioritise the International friendly fixture against Brazil.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) have been in turmoil over India’s participation in the ASEAN Cup and the international friendly against Brazil. But on Wednesday, the AIFF opted to prioritise the high-profile Brazil fixture by pulling out of the inaugural ASEAN Cup.

AIFF confirms India will not play FIFA ASEAN Cup

Speaking to The Telegraph, AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey revealed that India will not play at the ASEAN Cup and has informed FIFA about their decision. He added that the federation would ensure that Indian players do not lose out on game time and is also looking for two friendly games against higher-ranked sides.

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“Yes, we will not play in the ASEAN Cup. We have informed FIFA and the organisers. We will prepare for the Brazil match.

“We will ensure Indian players do not lose out on game time after pulling out of the ASEAN Cup. So we are looking for two friendlies against higher-ranked teams apart from the Brazil match. It could be one before the Brazil friendly and one after it, or it could be two before the October 3 match also,” the AIFF president said.

Why AIFF had to prioritise one event?

Team India were among the few teams invited by FIFA to take part in the inaugural ASEAN Cup. The Blue Tigers were grouped alongside Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.

The tournament will take place from September 21 to October 6, while the Brazil fixture will take place in Kolkata on October 3, 2026.

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India had to prioritise one event over another, as both were taking place in the same period.

The report also mentioned that the AIFF are not expecting any financial penalty for pulling out of the ASEAN Cup.

The India vs Brazil International friendly fixture will take place at the Salt Lake Stadium (VYBK) on October 3.