Sourav Ganguly’s big call for Indian football after Brazil, Uruguay fixtures: ‘Hopefully, this continues’

Sourav Ganguly praised Brazil’s footballing pedigree and expressed hope that the five-time world champions travel to India with a strong squad.

Updated on: Sep 4, 2026, 17:34:46 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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The AIFF has lined up a high-profile series of international friendlies as India prepare to face three higher-ranked opponents. The fixtures are expected to attract significant attention, with India taking on Panama in Bengaluru on September 26, before facing five-time world champions Brazil on October 3 and two-time world champions Uruguay on October 6. Both matches against the South American giants will be played in Kolkata.

Former captain of the Indian Cricket Team Sourav Ganguly wants Brazil to bring a star-studded squad for the India clash. (ANI)

Meanwhile, former India captain Sourav Ganguly praised Brazil’s footballing pedigree and expressed hope that the five-time world champions travel to India with a strong squad. Ganguly believes playing against a team of Brazil’s calibre would give Indian footballers valuable exposure and help them improve.

"Football is a brilliant sport, and I really enjoy watching it. Brazil is one of the greatest footballing nations in the world, so I hope they come here with a very strong team. It will give our footballers valuable exposure because that’s what you need. When you play against players who are better than you, it helps you improve and become a better footballer," Ganguly told the reporters on Thursday.

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Ganguly also called for India to make such high-profile fixtures a regular feature, stressing that consistent exposure to international opposition would be important for the growth of Indian football. He pointed out that hosting teams such as Brazil and Uruguay can help create a stronger footballing environment in the country.

"It’s very good for Indian football, and it’s not just Brazil. Uruguay and Panama are also coming to Bengal to play football. Hopefully, this continues consistently because playing against such teams will give our players a lot of valuable exposure and help them develop," Ganguly added.

Brazil, Uruguay clashes to attract big attention

The Brazil clash is undoubtedly the biggest of the three fixtures, with the five-time world champions expected to bring a star-studded squad and attract plenty of attention. Uruguay, despite a dip in stature in recent years, will also be a blockbuster encounter given their pedigree and history in international football. The Panama game may not carry the same glamour, but it could prove equally important for India as they look to make the most of the opportunity. Ranked 44th in the world, Panama will provide India with a high-quality test and a chance to measure themselves against a competitive side. They also featured at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, adding further significance to the September 26 encounter.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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