Kolkata, August 30: The Indian senior men’s football team is set to host a friendly match against Panama during the FIFA men’s international match window. Following this encounter, the Indian team will also face Uruguay, Brazil, and New Zealand this year. Former captain Sunil Chhetri is thrilled about these matches but feels a tinge of regret for not having had similar opportunities in his nearly two-decade career.
The match scheduled for September will be the first of four fixtures against teams participating in the 2026 World Cup. The Indian team will take on Brazil on October 3, followed by a clash with Uruguay at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on October 6. They will conclude the year with matches against New Zealand on November 12 and 15.
Sunil Chhetri expressed his feelings to reporters on Saturday, stating, “I am genuinely very happy, but I also feel a bit of jealousy that our boys will be playing against Brazil, Uruguay, and Panama. In my 24-26 year professional career and 20 years with the national team, I never got such an opportunity, so I feel a little envious. I hope we can keep these boys as fit as possible. I am confident that everyone will work hard to be part of these games. I just hope they gain the best experience from these matches; it will be a fantastic experience.”
In addition, Chhetri commented on the devastating floods in Nepal, saying, “It is very horrifying. Many of my acquaintances live in Nepal. The good thing is that my family was not there, but I cannot express how significant the damage is. I hope everyone in the area comes together to help them get back on their feet.”
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