Bhubaneswar & Guwahati Chosen for India’s FIFA 2026 & AFC 2027 Opening Matches

On September 2nd, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) made a significant announcement regarding the hosting of India’s initial two home matches in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2. In this momentous declaration, it was revealed that the cities of Bhubaneswar and Guwahati have been chosen as the designated venues for these crucial matches.

India’s placement in the Asian qualifiers has been revealed, as the nation finds itself positioned in Group A. This group includes formidable footballing nations such as Qatar and Kuwait, alongside the victors of the Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 match between Afghanistan and Mongolia.

The Indian national football team, often referred to as the “Blue Tigers,” is poised to commence its qualifying campaign with an away match against Kuwait on November 16. Following this challenging away fixture, the team will return to their home soil, with a highly anticipated match against the reigning AFC Asian Cup champions, Qatar. This pivotal encounter is scheduled to take place at the esteemed Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on November 21 of this year.

In the year 2024, the Indian national football team is scheduled to engage in consecutive matches against either Afghanistan or Mongolia. The series of matches will commence with an away fixture, set to take place on March 21. Following this, the team will return to the comfort of their home turf at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Guwahati for the second leg of the tie, scheduled for March 26.

In a commendable achievement, the Football Association of Odisha and the Assam Football Association have secured the hosting rights for the matches mentioned above. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) extends its heartfelt congratulations to both organizations for this successful bid.

AIFF Secretary General, Shaji Prabhakaran, expressed his appreciation, stating in a media release, “We would like to congratulate the Football Association of Odisha and Assam Football Association on successfully bidding for the hosting rights of the aforementioned matches, and wish all the success for delivering the said matches at a world-class level with the support from the respective state governments.”

This recognition highlights the diligence and commitment of these associations in securing the opportunity to host these prestigious football matches. Their dedication, along with the support of the respective state governments, is expected to ensure that the matches are conducted at the highest possible standards, providing football enthusiasts and players alike with an exceptional sporting experience.

The host city for India’s home leg match against Kuwait, scheduled for Junehttps://www.grownxtdigital.in/entertainment/sports/durand-cup-2023-football-live-stream-telecast-broadcast/ 6 next year, will be confirmed at a later date. This decision indicates that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is actively working on securing the most suitable venue for this crucial fixture.

The selection of the host city will be influenced by various factors, including logistical considerations, the availability of suitable venues, and ensuring the best possible conditions for the Indian national football team to perform at its highest level. The AIFF’s priority is to create an optimal environment for the match, enabling both the team and the fans to participate in and witness a memorable and competitive footballing event.