New Delhi: AIFF Executive Committee meets, confirms India’s participation in Brazil friendly and FIFA ASEAN Cup

By Sanjay Menon — 6 August 2026 — 3 min read

Key Decisions from the Meeting

The All India Football Federation’s Executive Committee convened at the Football House in New Delhi on Thursday, August 6, 2026. Chaired by AIFF President Shri Kalyan Chaubey, the meeting addressed several significant matters concerning Indian football. Among the attendees were Treasurer Mr Kipa Ajay, Deputy Secretary General Mr M Satyanarayan, and other members including Mr Lalnghinglova Hmar, Mr Menla Ethenpa, Mr Mohan Lal, Mr Neibou Sekhose, Mr Syed Husnain Naqvi, Mr Syed Imtiaz Hussain, Mr Deepak Sharma, Ms Valanka Alemao, Mr Vijay Bali, Ms Thongam Tababi Devi, Mr Shabbir Ali, Mr Bhaichung Bhutia, and Mr Climax Lawrence.

A primary decision made during the meeting was to confirm India’s participation in an international friendly against five-time FIFA World champions Brazil. This match is scheduled for October 3, 2026, in Kolkata. Additionally, India will also participate in the FIFA ASEAN Cup, set to take place in Indonesia from September 24 to October 3, 2026. The Executive Committee acknowledged the friendly against Brazil as a significant opportunity for Indian players to gain valuable experience against a top-tier footballing nation. To facilitate participation in both events, the AIFF plans to notify FIFA that separate squads will be fielded for each competition.

Preparations and Appointments

The Executive Committee also reviewed the ongoing preparations for the Indian Super League 2026-27 season, following the introduction of a new club-led commercial model. Updates were provided on the operational planning progress made by both the participating clubs and the Federation. Jamshedpur FC has been granted an extension until August 12, 2026, to reconsider a previous decision.

Following a recommendation from the AIFF Technical Committee, Bibiano Fernandes was approved as the head coach for the India U15 men’s national team, pending his acceptance. This team is slated to participate in the inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival in Azerbaijan in October. Ranjit Bajaj was approved as the team manager. The contingent for this tournament will comprise 20 members, including six staff and 14 players.

Tournament Formats and Compliance

A proposal from the Competition Committee to introduce a revamped three-tier format for the Santosh Trophy and the Rajmata Jijabai Trophy was not approved by the Executive Committee. Concerns were raised regarding competitive opportunities and player development. The Competitions Committee has been asked to revise its proposal and resubmit it for future seasons. Consequently, the formats for the Santosh Trophy and the Rajmata Jijabai Trophy will remain unchanged for the 2026-27 season.

The AIFF’s budget for the period of June 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, also received approval from the Executive Committee. Furthermore, the AIFF Secretariat informed the committee about various notifications from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. These notifications pertain to the adoption of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, and its associated rules, aimed at ensuring compliance with the new regulatory framework. Member Associations with elections due this year have been requested to meet compliance requirements by October 20, 2026.

The prospect of facing Brazil has generated considerable discussion among players. India captain Sandesh Jhingan expressed his anticipation for the match, highlighting the desire to compete against the world’s finest. Akash Mishra, a defender for Mumbai City, noted the potential for such a game to inspire many and demonstrate the positive direction of Indian football. Lallianzuala Chhangte, who has extensive experience with the national team, initially found the news hard to believe, describing opponents like Brazil as “the stuff that dreams are made of.”

Source: the-aiff.com