India will begin the run of fixtures against Panama on September 26 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. The team will then travel to Kolkata for consecutive matches against Brazil on October 3 and Uruguay on October 6 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. All three opponents featured at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, giving India a challenging set of fixtures.

Brazil, ranked fifth in the world, will be the biggest attraction of the window, while Uruguay are ranked 20th and Panama 44th. Uruguay will enter the fixture under interim head coach Diego Forlán, who took charge after Marcelo Bielsa’s departure.

The AIFF has also confirmed that ticketing rights for the fixtures have been handed to District. Early-bird tickets for the India-Brazil clash went on sale on September 2, while tickets for the Panama and Uruguay matches are yet to be released.

For India, the three matches will provide a rare opportunity to test themselves against established international opposition, with head coach Khalid Jamil preparing a 26-member squad for the September-October window. The team is scheduled to begin its preparatory camp in Bengaluru on September 14 before moving to Kolkata for the Brazil and Uruguay encounters.

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After a brief training camp in Bengaluru, the Blue Colts landed in the Indonesian capital on the afternoon of Wednesday, October 8. Both matches will be played at the Gelora Bung Karno Madya Stadium in Jakarta, and will kick off at 18:30 IST.

India U23’s squad for friendlies against Indonesia in October 2025:

Goalkeepers: Dipesh Chauhan, Mohanraj K, Priyansh Dubey.

Defenders: Bikash Yumnam, Dippendu Biswas, Harsh Arun Palande, Muhammed Saheef AP, Ricky Meetei Haobam, Roshan Singh Thangjam, Sanatomba Singh Yanglem, Sumit Sharma Brahmacharimayum.

Midfielders: Ayush Dev Chhetri, Bekey Oram, Danny Meitei Laishram, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Mohammed Aimen, Vibin Mohanan.

Forwards: Muhammed Suhail, Korou Singh Thingujam, Parthib Sundar Gogoi, Sreekuttan MS, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, Thoi Singh Huidrom.

Head coach: Naushad Moosa
Assistant coach: Noel Wilson
Goalkeeping coach: Sathiesh Kumar
Strength and conditioning coach: Diwakar Manohar

India U23’s Match Schedule:

October 10: Indonesia vs India (18:30 IST)
October 13: Indonesia vs India (18:30 IST)

Venue: Gelora Bung Karno Madya Stadium, Jakarta

Credits: AIFF Media

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India made seven changes from the game which won 3-0 against Bhutan last month. Seniors Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Arnab Mondal, Pritam Kotal, Narayan Das, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Bikash Jairu and Sunil Chhetri coming back into the first team lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Interim Puerto Rican coach David Guillemat made four changes to the team which lost 1-0 to Dominican Republic. Matt Sanchez, Jeremy Hall, David Caban and Joseph making their way for Johnny Santana, Elliot Velez, Emmanuel Sanchez and Michael Ramos.

The game began with the away side looking confident and ready for the task. The quick short passing and their pace was visible in the first few minutes as India was left chasing the ball most of the time. It soon seemed like a long disappointing evening is on cards when Jackichand Singh gave away an unnecessary penalty in the eight minute and Emmanuel Sanchez made no mistake as he sent sandhu the wrong way from the spot.

India soon realized its situation and began attacking more, Sunil chhetri who hadn’t even got a single touch till India had conceded soon got into the mix of things. India first attempt was pronay halder’s grounder that was easily caught by Puerto Rican GK Santana. But soon Bikash Jairu was tripped just outside the box granting India a free kick. Sunil Chhetri stepped up to take the shot; the ball ricocheted off the woodwork but came directly to the feet of Narayan Das who sent the ball back to the visitors net as the crowd went into a frenzy on drawing level.

The goal seemed just the right tonic as India started attacking more; In the 24 minute, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, who was the most threatening player with regular long through balls provide one for Chhetri, who was fouled by Emmanuel D’Andrea winning another free Kick in a dangerous position just outside the box. Sunil Chhetri once again delivered a cool and calmed free kick as the ball once again hit the post at far corner but this time it deflected in to give a well deserved goal for the former Indian captain.

Also Read:“I would rather play Iran and lose 4-0 then play Bhutan and win 5-0”, Says Indian Coach Stephen Constantine

Soon the away team started pressing more but failed at the final part as they failed to beat Gurpreet who seemed rock solid between the stick. A long goal kick from the keeper was flicked by chhetri for Jeje, who laced it back to the onrushing Jackichand Singh, only to see his effort go over the net. The continues attack from the Indians bore result as in the 34^th minute of play Pritam kotal’s cross was smartly headed by Chhetri towards Jeje who made no mistake in heading the ball in to the net, as India doubled their advantage.

Sunil Chhetri was in a fabulous form displaying calm, wonderful ball control as he flawlessly plucked the ball from the air more than once. The first half ended with India leading 3-1 with the former Indian captain and highest Indian goal scorer Sunil chhetri coming up with a goal and two assists.

Coach Constantine made two changes at the start of the second half with midfielders Rowllin Borges and Holicharan Narzary replacing Halder and Jairu. For the visitors, goalkeeper Christopher Ecchevaria came in for Santana who had a terrible outing. India had another chance in the 48^th minute when another Jackichand Singh’s nervous shot went straight in to the hands of Ecchevaria. India survived a scare in the 54^th minute when a ramos shot hit the woodwork and deflected out for goal kick.

Four minutes later a Jeje cross was mishit by lyngdoh just aside of the far post but this time Jackichand was bang on target as India went 4-1 up. India went close once again when a Jeje shot was kept out by a full stretched Ecchevaria. Throughout the game Indian defense was occasionally caught napping, as in the 70 minute when Sanchez was again denied by the post.

With the match completely under India’s grasp, soon Constantine substituted out Jeje and Sunil to give youngsters more minutes under their belt. Sumit Passi, Germanpreet Singh and Seityasen Singh got opportunities to spend some time on the field. The inexperience was clearly visible, when the team despite getting numerous opportunities with wide spaces failed to capitalize anything as India ended the game at 4-1.

The Indian coach has definitely had done his homework. The team looked completely balanced, they were wisely playing to their strengths, executing plans with variations clearly visible like in short corners. The Blue Tigers signed off their last match of 2016 with a victory in what was truly one of the memorable evenings for Indian football fans. A perfect gift for the mumbaikars with a festive season up ahead.

Result: India (Narayan Das (18’), Sunil Chhetri (26’), Jeje Lalpekhlua (34’) and Jackichand Singh (58’))  4 -1 Puerto Rico (Sanchez 8′)

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When asked about his young teammates, whether they are the most talented lot, after having won their last 8 out of the 10 games, He said, “Let’s not use the word ‘most’ but this is obviously one of the most talented teams I have played in. We have Gurpreet (Singh Sandhu), Sandesh (Jhinghan), Jeje (Lalpekhlua) and all of them are fantastic. They are extremely professional off the field as well, they know how to look after themselves and that’s a good sign. I just hope that this continues. I hope I learn a lot from them, I hope they can learn from me and we go forward,”

India’s all-time leading goal scorer explained his methodology when it comes to grooming young players, “As senior players, we have understood that if we talk to the junior players too much, they get bored. I used to get bored when I was a young one. So rather be a bit professional and let them follow me. So I try to be the first on the pitch, I try to do the right thing, I try to eat the right stuff, go to sleep at the right time and I believe that if you do it, the younger ones are going to follow you. If I just keep calling them every time and keep talking to them, one day they are going to start abusing me in their minds and the following day, on my face.”

“That’s the way I have been coached by my seniors when I was younger. The Renedys (Renedy Singh), the Bhutias (Bhaichung Bhutia) were proper professionals and that’s how we learn. I think the same way should continue. That’s the way I’d like to continue.

“When you are a senior, the onus is more on you to do the right thing because the younger ones are watching you. So I try to be a good professional and hope they (juniors) follow me. And they (juniors) know that, whenever they need to talk to me, I’m always there. I want to believe that I’m quite popular amongst them,” Chhetri explained at length.

SC: Gurpreet’s future is in Europe

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu practicing 2 days before INDvPUR friendly.

Asked about Gurpreet’s Opinion on the Indian board’s attempts to synchronizing the football calendar, he said he is happy to see that there are attempts being made and plans being implanted, which is a good sign going forward. When asked about what changes he has seen in gurpreet game after he became the first player to play in Europa league, SC said, that he has done tremendous job with his game and lasting 3 years in Norway that his future is in Europe and he doesn’t expect him to be back, SC also emphasized that he would want himself to be out playing in Europe If he were an Indian player for his own betterment. Also SC believed that, “India can play outside in Europe and more Indian players should try to go outside because I have coach quite a no. places around the world and that there is nothing they should be afraid of in terms of ability.” SC also smoothly brought out the PIO issue that how countries like England are trying to play players of their origin for their team and India should look in to the PIOs, while also saying that is something Modi should be questioned.

An Important Game

The former Indian skipper also spoke on the importance of playing teams with a higher ranked teams like Puerto Rico.

“How much important it is for them (youngsters), you have to ask them, but how important it is for us? It is important because, when you want to improve, you got to test yourself now and then. So when you do well and when you get a higher ranked team, you will know how much you have improved or how many things you have done wrong or where you can improve.

“It’s a very good chance for me as an individual and for the whole team to look at how much we have achieved and to work on our mistakes. So it’s very important for us to play higher ranked teams, in that context,” he concluded.

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When asked about it, SC said, “We will find out about that tomorrow.” Adding, “Look, They have a difficult schedule, nothing I can do about that. My team, my players at the end of the day has to play football to beat them. They have a good side, good players; it’s not the first time teams arriving late, so really I won’t consider it advantage. I will say that after the game.”

Last time India beat a higher ranked team (min.30 places) It was Kuwait (Ranked 60) back in 2004 under the same coach. When asked about how he motivates his players, SC replied, “I think, whenever you wear the Indian jersey, you should be motivated, whether you play Bhutan or Iran. The fact that we play Puerto Rico, 30 or 40 places above us is incentive to us like we played Iran or Oman in Qualifiers.” SC believed that matches against higher ranked teams are necessary if we have to move higher, He added, “I would rather play Iran and lose 4-0 then play Bhutan and win 5-0, I would learn a lot from the Iran game than the Bhutan one.” He said he would continue to look for such games and the media should understand the importance’s of such games, rather than just criticizing about the loss.”It is a developmental process. The average age of our team is 23, I think, so it’s about learning and getting better” opined Constantine.

When asked about his assessment of the opponents, SC believed that the Puerto Rican team had a good number of players playing in and outside US. They were the highest movers in July so whatever team they bring, will be a team that will test India. Regarding the game tomorrow against the tired opponent, Constantine compared them with Guam saying,”A lot of people wrote off Guam, who had 9 of their starting 11 players playing in US, so now we know the level of their players. There is an actual Puerto Rico team in NASL, So they would be a good team, a good side, a little tired but again, nothing I can do about that.” While adding, “But from technical point of view and organizational point of view I would expect them to be good.”

Also Read: India vs Puerto Rico: Is an upset on the cards?

When asked about Sunil chhetri’s fitness, after he was not selected in the last two games and whether there would be any alternatives. SC shot back that, there is no alternative for Sunil Chhetri and that he would not risk a player to play with injuries or niggles and lose a season, but he is fine now and ready to go.

Football back in Mumbai

Regarding football returning to the city for the first time in 61 years, SC opined it was about time and that it was a long overdue while thanking MDFA, Aditya Thackeray for the work that they had done so the team could play in Mumbai. He believed that the team should play in every major cities of the country, so that the people of India could get to see their team play. Constantine also said about how his team would play attacking football, “We would play the attacking game; they are tired, if not tired, we make them tired. We would just go out play football and win the game.”

When asked his opponents style of play, SC seemed to have done his homework, He described how they have slow buildup with more of a passing among players similar to other South American sides, and how they played well against US despite losing, creating 3-4 no. of good chances and the goal which emerged from a fantastic three one-touch passes. So they would be dangerous tired or not. Also the missing players are filled by two coming from the Spain.

Before wrapping up the pre-match media conference, Constantine announced, “Gurpreet Singh Sandhu will captain the team tomorrow against Puerto Rico.” It will be a huge boost to the 24-year-old, who would become one of the youngest players to lead the national football team.

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