The Brazil senior men’s football team has arrived in Kolkata ahead of their international friendly match against the Indian men’s football team at Salt Lake Stadium on October 3. The All India Football Federation announced the fixture on July 30, marking one of the most significant matches in Indian football history.
Brazil, five-time world champions and the most successful men’s national team in football, arrives following mixed results in recent friendlies during the FIFA International Break. They secured a 4-2 victory in one match and drew 1-1 in another against Australia. India began the break with a 1-1 draw against Panama.
On the social media platform X, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) posted: “WE’VE ARRIVED, INDIA! The National Team has landed in Calcutta for an unprecedented encounter: for the first time in history, Brazil will face India next Saturday (3). Now it’s time to prepare for another challenge! #BateNoPeito THIS IS BRAZIL!”
West Bengal sports minister Indranil Khan detailed the extensive security and infrastructure arrangements for the matches against Brazil and Uruguay, the latter scheduled for October 6 in Kolkata. He stated that to prevent black marketing of tickets, QR-code-based digital ticketing technology similar to that used during the FIFA World Cup is being implemented.
Indranil Khan said, “Along with that, police arrangements have been set up. To monitor everything, top-level IAS officers, top-level IPS officers, the Police DGP, and the Chief Secretary are working together. The Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari, is personally monitoring the situation.”
He added that seats are being numbered to avoid chaos or black marketing and two large digital screens are being installed to provide a World Cup-like experience. The turf at Salt Lake Stadium has also been upgraded to meet international FIFA World Cup standards for the fixture.
Emphasising the long-term vision, Indranil Khan said, “The upgrade is not about the four or five matches taking part as part of the FIFA international break, but rather the government’s long-term vision for the football-crazy state. We are working with the vision in mind that our players will one day play in the World Cup wearing the ‘Men in Blue’ Indian jersey. Long-term collaborations and decisions are being made-from infrastructure upgrades to player nurturing and academies. We are going to witness a sports revolution in this state.”
The Brazil squad for the friendly match against India includes: Hugo Souza, Pedro Morisco, Otavio, Arthur Dias, Douglas Santos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jair, Marquinhos, Matheuzinho, Mauro Junior, Vitor Reis, Wesley, Andrey Santos, Breno Bidon, Bruno Guimaraes, Danilo Santos, Douglas Luiz, Gabriel Bontempo, Endrick, Estevao, Gabriel Martinelli, Pedro, Raphinha, Rayan, Samuel Lino, and Vinicius Junior.