August 7, 2026 | 08:36 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian national team could lose one of its competitors in the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, as India is reportedly considering withdrawing from the tournament due to a scheduling conflict with a friendly match against Brazil during the September-October international break.
According to a report by the Indian media outlet Khel Now, as quoted by Antara, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is set to make a final decision regarding the planned withdrawal soon.
India was previously scheduled to participate in the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, taking place from September 24 to October 3. The team, nicknamed the "Blue Tigers," was drawn into Group A of Division 1 alongside Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.
However, the AIFF is now prioritizing the friendly match against Brazil, which is scheduled to be held in Kolkata on October 3. This date overlaps with the final day of the FIFA ASEAN Cup in Indonesia.
Meanwhile, FIFA reportedly bars India from participating in the FIFA ASEAN Cup with a U-23 or second-string squad, forcing the AIFF to choose between the two engagements.
The AIFF is prioritizing the match against Brazil, viewing it as one of the biggest games the federation has ever organized.
The AIFF is also reportedly preparing a funding package worth 60–70 crore rupees (approximately Rp111.3 billion to Rp129.9 billion), sourced from sponsorships, ticket sales, and support from the West Bengal government.
On the other hand, former Indian national team captain Bhaichung Bhutia has opposed the withdrawal plan. He believes that participating in the FIFA ASEAN Cup would yield greater benefits for the national team's development than playing a single friendly match.
"I strongly insisted that the first team should go and play the FIFA ASEAN Cup. It is a much better competition than the SAFF Championship," he said.
Bhutia deems the FIFA ASEAN Cup important for gaining international experience for young players while simultaneously preparing the team for future Asian-level competitions.
The FIFA ASEAN Cup offers India the opportunity to play three competitive matches against Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. The next face-off between them could be during the Asian Cup qualifiers or during the road to the 2030 World Cup.
Read: Indonesia Prepares to Host 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup
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