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Bhaichung Bhutia urges boycott of India vs Brazil friendly, citing Rs 50 crore cost and long-term financial impact on West Bengal football.
Bhaichung Bhutia at News18 India Amrit Ratna Samman 2026
Former Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia has said that the friendly game against Brazil should be boycotted because it will involve around Rs 50 crore investment, which can impact West Bengal’s football financially in the long term.
India are all set to take on five-time world champions Brazil at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday, October 3. Reports suggest that hosting the Brazilian giants could cost the organisers around Rs 60-70 crore.
The game has already sparked controversy, with the All India Football Federation withdrawing India from the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup, where they were drawn alongside Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, to prioritise the high-profile Brazil clash.
“Boycott that Brazil match. Then I think that’s a big message. Then every organiser, every federation will think twice. If the Bengal government is going to pay or try and raise funds for this match, please raise it for Bengal to have the next few gold medals in the Commonwealth Games,” Bhutia said while speaking to 420 Grams.
“So when you have Rs 30 crore, please invest it in the next four years to have 10 medals in the Commonwealth Games. We are trying to bring the Olympics here. Try and have Olympians from Bengal winning medals there,” Bhutia added.
Meanwhile, a five-member delegation from the Brazilian Football Confederation held a detailed inspection of Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on Thursday, spending more than two hours assessing the facilities and preparations for India’s biggest-ever football game against Brazil on Saturday, October 3.
Bhutia acknowledged the excitement surrounding Brazil’s visit but questioned what would be left once the spectacle was over.
“If the match happens, everybody is excited, fans come in, you know, media, the government, everybody will be happy. But once the match happens, your money is gone and your football is 20 years behind,” Bhutia said.
“East Bengal will struggle because of Brazil. If Rs 50 crore is gone from Bengal, East Bengal will have no investors and no sponsors for the next five years because the money isn’t there in the market and clubs like East Bengal are going to suffer,” Bhutia added.
Key Questions Answered
Ask News18Former Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia has stated that the friendly match against Brazil, with an estimated cost of Rs 50 crore, could negatively impact West Bengal’s football finances in the long term.
Ask News18August 21, 2026, 10:17 IST
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