Brazil will play India on October 3 at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, but one question has dominated discussions ever since the All India Football Federation (AIFF) made it official on Thursday: will the Selecao bring their full squad, including top stars like Vinicius Jr, and how much will the ticket prices be?
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“Brazil will come with their full squad (unless anyone gets injured). As things stand, that is the information we have. Carlo Ancelotti is also expected to come,” assured former India goalkeeper and current national football team director, Subrata Paul. Another top AIFF official also echoed the same.
Seven months of discussions
Paul revealed that negotiations over the friendly were ongoing for a considerable period before gathering pace early this year and continuing for about seven months.
“The discussions began this year and have been going on for around seven months. It has been a long process. With a team such as Brazil, the schedule is usually fixed well in advance, so arranging a match of this scale takes time,” said Paul.
The game will be Brazil’s first senior international on Indian soil. It will also be the highest-ranked opposition India have faced since the FIFA World Ranking was introduced in 1992.
‘A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’
For the Indian players, this match will be about far more than the result as it offers them a rare chance to test themselves against one of international football’s strongest sides.
“We have complete faith in our players. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. India have never played against the senior Brazil national team, so whoever gets the chance to play in this match will experience something special said Paul before adding, “It will be a dream come true for them. Imagine standing on the pitch as an India player, singing the national anthem with the Brazilian team beside you. You do not need any additional motivation for a match like this. You are representing your country against Brazil.”
India will enter the contest as clear underdogs, but Paul said the players should approach it as they would any other football match.
“At the end of the day, it is a football match, and it will be 11 against 11. Our players know the size of the occasion, and we have full faith in them. Playing against a team of Brazil’s quality will be a major opportunity for them to learn and improve,” he explained.
Could Argentina be next?
Paul said India have gradually begun facing stronger opponents, pointing to their recent matches against Canada, Jamaica and Zimbabwe in the Unity Cup.
“Our standard of opposition has improved. We recently played teams such as Canada, Jamaica and Zimbabwe in the Unity Cup. Facing stronger teams is important for our development.
“Playing Brazil, however, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If we continue arranging matches of this stature, perhaps other leading teams, including Argentina, could also come in the future. Playing against top teams will help India improve.”
The Brazil friendly, however, may not be a one-off event. “We have made several plans, and we are thinking big. People often asked why Brazil or other major teams did not come to India. Now Brazil are coming. This is not necessarily where it ends. There are plans for the future, but I cannot reveal everything because of protocol. More details will become clear in time.”
Kolkata’s Brazilian connection
Kolkata’s long-standing connection with Brazilian football goes back almost five decades, when the legendary Pele brought the city to a standstill when he mesmerised football fans during a friendly against Mohun Bagan at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Streets in Ganguly Bagan have put up fan-favourite team banners and posters Picture: Soumyajit Dey
“I am extremely excited that Brazil are coming to India, particularly Kolkata. We all know that the city is divided between Brazil and Argentina supporters, but that does not matter,” Paul said.
“When Brazil arrive, they will understand the level of support they have here. Kolkata is like a mini Brazil. The passion for Brazilian football in this city is extraordinary.”
Tickets likely to be expensive
The opportunity to watch Brazil’s leading stars could, however, come at a substantial cost. An AIFF official admitted that “ticket prices will be high”.
The federation is yet to announce the ticketing details. With Brazil playing in India for the first time and the Salt Lake Stadium expected to attract supporters from across the country, demand is likely to be high.