Cafu Admits Ranking Gap, Backs India To Benefit From Brazil Test: ‘There Is Significant…’

Last Updated:September 04, 2026, 7:45 PM IST

FIFA World Cup winner Cafu said that India’s first-ever senior men’s international game against Brazil will benefit both the team and the nation’s football ecosystem.

Indian men’s football team (AIFF)

FIFA World Cup-winning Brazilian right-back Cafu has said that the upcoming match against India will bring several benefits to the Indian team and to the Indian people, adding that despite the stark difference in rankings, football has modernised and it can be a great game between the two nations.

India will take on five-time FIFA World Cup champions Brazil in an international friendly at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday, October 3.

This will be the first-ever senior men’s international meeting between India and Brazil. Ranked fifth in the world, Brazil will also be the highest-ranked opponent India have faced since 1992.

“We hope that Brazil and India can play a great game. It will bring many benefits to the Indian people and to the Indian national team, which will face a team that is a five-time world champion,” Cafu said while speaking to the media at an event in Navi Mumbai.

“Well, if you go by the rankings, there is a significant difference between Brazil and India, but football has modernised,” Cafu added.

The former footballer also said that India could benefit from FIFA’s proposed expansion of the World Cup to 64 teams from the 2030 edition, up from 48 in 2026. FIFA has yet to make a final decision.

The 56-year-old Cafu pointed to how smaller countries such as Curaçao and Cape Verde ‘played on equal terms’ with bigger teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

“Today, everyone plays on equal terms. You saw this in the World Cup; teams like Curaçao and Cape Verde played on equal terms with all the big national teams. I think establishing this connection between these countries, now that FIFA has expanded the World Cup, opening up space for other countries, will be important for India as well,” Cafu said.

The former footballer added that India will have to encourage more children to play football if the nation has to grow in the sport.

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When and where will the international friendly match between India and Brazil take place?

The international friendly match between India and Brazil is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium. This will be the first-ever senior men’s international meeting between the two nations.

What benefits does Cafu believe India will gain from playing Brazil and from FIFA’s World Cup expansion?

Cafu believes the match against Brazil will bring significant benefits to the Indian people and the national team, providing valuable experience against a five-time world champion. He also stated that India could benefit from FIFA’s proposed expansion of the World Cup to 64 teams from the 2030 edition, opening up more opportunities for smaller nations.

What other high-profile international friendly matches will India play in 2026?

In addition to playing Brazil on October 3, India will face Panama on September 26 in Bengaluru and two-time world champions Uruguay on October 6 in Kolkata. There are also discussions for India to play Cape Verde in a friendly match shortly after the Brazil game.

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