India have withdrawn from the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup, opting to prioritise their high-profile international friendly against five-time world champions Brazil in October, All India Football Federation (AIFF) deputy secretary general M Satyanarayanan said on Thursday.
What It Means
India had initially accepted FIFA’s invitation to participate in the new tournament and were subsequently drawn in Division 1 Group A alongside Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. The competition is scheduled to be played during the September 21-October 6 FIFA international window. India, who failed to qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, have struggled to secure regular high-quality opposition in recent years. “There were technical issues too since only four games can be played during the window (September 21-October 6).
The match against Brazil was officially announced last month. Because it clashed with the friendly against Brazil, earlier reporting noted: India pull out of FIFA ASEAN Cup Kolkata: India have pulled out of the FIFA ASEAN Cup. India’s withdrawal from the upcoming tournament also means they will miss the opportunity to face some of Southeast Asia’s leading sides in a FIFA-sanctioned competition. The inaugural tournament was conceived as a new international competition for teams from the ASEAN region, with India invited as one of the non-ASEAN participants. We have informed FIFA and officials are aware of why we were forced to take this decision.
“We have pulled out of the FIFA ASEAN Cup since we can’t play both Brazil and FIFA ASEAN Cup,” Satyanarayanan told PTI. Earlier reporting noted: “We are unable to participate in the FIFA ASEAN Cup due to our commitment with the Brazil football federation,” AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey said.
The AIFF had earlier explored the possibility of fielding a separate or developmental squad in the ASEAN Cup, but has now opted to withdraw altogether and use the international window for friendlies. Earlier reporting noted: “As discussed in the executive committee meeting, India have played four times in last three years against Singapore and Malaysia (group opponents at the ASEAN Cup) and may get opportunities to play against them again but Brazil rarely happens, perhaps once in a lifetime for Indian players. The decision was taken on Wednesday.
