Overview
- The All India Football Federation announced on Tuesday that India will host Panama in an international friendly on September 26, confirming the date and opponent.
- The meeting will be the first-ever match between the two nations and pits India against a Panama side that played at the 2026 World Cup and sits around No. 44 in the FIFA rankings.
- AIFF officials described the fixture as a stern test for coach Khalid Jamil’s squad and a rare opportunity for player exposure against World Cup opposition.
- The host stadium for the September friendly has not been decided, and organizers are expected to name the venue later as they finalise logistics.
- The Panama game is being staged as preparation for India’s October 3 match with Brazil in Kolkata and forms part of a run of matches versus recent World Cup teams that could affect India’s tactical development and FIFA standing.