New Delhi, Aug 26:
India will face Panama in an international friendly on September 26 as part of its preparations for the much-anticipated clash against Brazil in Kolkata on October 3, giving the Blue Tigers another opportunity to test themselves against a team with recent FIFA World Cup experience.
The fixture will be the first meeting between India and Panama. The Central American side is ranked 44th in the world and will provide India with a demanding examination ahead of the Brazil encounter.
Panama, known as Los Canaleros, participated in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match against India will therefore offer the Blue Tigers valuable exposure against a side accustomed to playing at the highest international level.
The September fixture is scheduled to be the first of four matches India will play against teams that featured at the 2026 World Cup.
After Panama, India will face Brazil on October 3 before taking on New Zealand twice in November, on November 12 and 15.
Tough preparation for Brazil
The All India Football Federation sees the Panama game as an important part of India’s preparation for Brazil.
AIFF deputy general secretary M Satyanarayan said the match would be a tough test for coach Khalid Jamil and his players and provide them with the kind of international exposure India does not regularly receive.
âPanama are a top-50 team in the world, and it will be a good test for Khalid Jamil’s boys,â Satyanarayan said.
He added that playing against World Cup teams would provide valuable experience for Indian players during the FIFA window.