India prioritise Brazil friendly over ASEAN Cup in October

India have canceled their participation in the FIFA ASEAN Cup due to a scheduling clash with an international friendly match against Brazil, as announced by AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey on Wednesday. The decision was made due to India's commitment to the Brazil Football Federation, coupled with technical constraints. Chaubey highlighted that the team could only play four matches during the specified window of September 21 to October 6.

The AIFF president informed FIFA of the decision, clarifying the reasons behind it. Despite the disappointment of missing the ASEAN Cup, Chaubey emphasized the value of the opportunity to face Brazil, a rare occasion for Indian players. He noted that while India has previously played Singapore and Malaysia in recent years, a match against Brazil is a unique opportunity that could significantly boost the sport's popularity domestically.

The ASEAN Cup, which India had been invited to participate as a guest team, now stands canceled, marking a significant loss for the federation. However, Chaubey remains optimistic about the positive impact that the Brazil friendly match could have on India's football development.