New Delhi: AIFF Executive Committee meets, confirms India’s participation in Brazil friendly and FIFA ASEAN Cup
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. The meeting, chaired by AIFF President Shri Kalyan Chaubey, addressed several important matters concerning Indian football. Among the attendees were Treasurer Mr Kipa Ajay, Deputy Secretary General Mr M Satyanarayan, and various committee 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 significant outcome of the meeting was the confirmation of India’s participation in two international competitions. The national team is set to play a men’s international friendly against five-time FIFA World champions Brazil in Kolkata on October 3, 2026. Additionally, India will compete in the FIFA ASEAN Cup in Indonesia from September 24 to October 3, 2026. The Executive Committee views the match against Brazil as a valuable opportunity for Indian players to gain exposure against a strong footballing nation during the FIFA International Match Window. To facilitate participation in both events, the AIFF will inform FIFA that India will field separate squads for each competition.
Preparations and Appointments
The Executive Committee also reviewed the preparations for the Indian Super League 2026-27 season, which follows the adoption 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 extended deadline until August 12, 2026, to reconsider a 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 appointment is for the inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival, scheduled for October in Azerbaijan. Ranjit Bajaj was approved as the team manager for the tournament, which allows for a contingent of 20 members, comprising six staff and 14 players.
The proposed revamped three-tier format for the Santosh Trophy and the Rajmata Jijabai Trophy, put forth by the Competition Committee, was not approved by the Executive Committee. Concerns were raised regarding competitive opportunities and player development. The Competitions Committee has been asked to revise the proposal for future seasons, meaning no changes will be made to the format of these trophies for the 2026-27 season.
Regulatory Compliance and Budget
The AIFF’s budget for the period of June 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, was also approved by the Executive Committee. Furthermore, the AIFF Secretariat informed the committee about various notifications received 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, aiming to ensure compliance with the new regulatory framework.
In response to these developments, Member Associations with upcoming elections this year have been requested to meet the compliance requirements by October 20, 2026.
Indian captain Sandesh Jhingan expressed his anticipation for the match against Brazil, highlighting the opportunity to play against one of the world’s finest teams. He noted that such games provide invaluable experience for players and can inspire more youngsters to engage with football. Lallianzuala Chhangte and Akash Mishra also shared their excitement, with Mishra stating that a strong performance could offer hope to supporters and demonstrate the positive direction of Indian football. The match against Brazil is scheduled for October 3 at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.
Source: the-aiff.com
