Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 01:45pm on 06 Aug 2026,Thursday Sports
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is considering withdrawing India from the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup due to a scheduling clash with a landmark international friendly against five-time world champions Brazil. Both events are expected to take place during the same FIFA international window, making participation in both difficult. AIFF believes the Brazil fixture would provide unparalleled global exposure, valuable experience for Indian players, and boost football's popularity in the country. However, opting out of the ASEAN Cup could affect India's regional commitments and draw criticism over sacrificing competitive tournament football for a high-profile exhibition match. (PC: AIFF)