Carlo Ancelotti says "India does not have a footbal culture" ahead of Brazil friendly
Dubai: Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti is looking forward to his first visit to India as his team prepares to face the Indian national side in a historic friendly in Kolkata on October 3. The Italian, however, believes India needs to do more to develop its football structure, saying the country does not have a strong football culture. Ancelotti said greater focus on grassroots development will…
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti is set to embark on his first visit to India for a historic friendly against the Indian national side in Kolkata on October 3. Ancelotti, however, believes India lacks a strong football culture, stating the country does not have a rich tradition of playing the sport. The Italian coach emphasized the importance of focusing on grassroots development to nurture a new generation of players.
Ancelotti expressed excitement about the match, acknowledging that India's experience in facing world-class opponents is limited. He also noted that India performs well in other sports, suggesting that the country needs to invest more in developing football infrastructure. Brazil, currently ranked fifth in FIFA's rankings, will face India, Panama, and Uruguay in a challenging schedule leading up to the World Cup.
India, currently ranked 138th, has struggled in recent times, failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and missing out on the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. Despite facing uncertainties in domestic football and league operations, India is now set to host Brazil, Uruguay, and Panama, marking a new era under head coach Khalid Jameel.
Written by urgent.news from Gulf News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
