India could face 2026 FIFA World Cup debutants Cabo Verde in an international friendly on October 6, just three days after the Blue Tigers are scheduled to host five-time world champions Brazil in Kolkata. The proposed match is yet to receive formal confirmation, but discussions between the concerned football authorities have reportedly progressed significantly, with Cabo Verde understood to have given verbal approval. Kolkata and Kochi are currently being considered as possible venues for the fixture. If finalised, the match would provide India with another opportunity to compete against a team that recently made headlines during its historic World Cup campaign.
The potential fixture would come at a particularly demanding stage of India's international calendar. The national team is expected to begin its preparatory camp in Kolkata around September 21 ahead of the October friendlies. India are scheduled to face Brazil at Salt Lake Stadium on October 3, before potentially taking on Cabo Verde three days later. The Brazil match has already been officially confirmed, while the Cabo Verde fixture is awaiting completion of the remaining formalities. The proposed schedule would give head coach Khalid Jamil's side two high-profile opponents in quick succession and provide valuable exposure against teams with recent World Cup experience.
Cabo Verde would bring considerable quality and international experience to the proposed encounter. The island nation, ranked 64th in the world, made its FIFA World Cup debut in 2026 and emerged as one of the tournament's surprise performers. They progressed from a challenging group without suffering a defeat, recording a goalless draw against Spain, a 2-2 draw with Uruguay and another 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia. Their impressive campaign eventually ended in the knockout stage against defending champions Argentina, but Cabo Verde pushed the South American side hard before losing 3-2 after extra time. Sidny Lopes Cabral's goal against Argentina was subsequently recognised as the tournament's Goal of the Tournament.
Also Read: Mbappe Writes Emotional Letter to Fans After France's World Cup Exit
The team has since undergone a change in the coaching setup following Bubista's departure. Humberto Bettencourt has taken charge after previously serving as an assistant for six years and being part of the coaching staff during Cabo Verde's historic World Cup campaign. If the October 6 match is confirmed, it would be the first senior men's international meeting between India and Cabo Verde. For India, such a fixture would offer an opportunity to assess the squad against a physically and tactically competitive African side shortly after facing Brazil, while also giving the players experience against a team that successfully competed at the highest level of international football.
The proposed Cabo Verde match is part of efforts by the All India Football Federation to arrange stronger international opposition for the national team. India had withdrawn from the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup after the tournament schedule conflicted with the Brazil friendly. The team was initially drawn alongside Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, but the clash prompted the federation to explore alternative fixtures. AIFF subsequently looked at opponents that had participated in the 2026 World Cup, with Cabo Verde and Iran among the teams reportedly considered. Securing such opponents is intended to give India more competitive international exposure as the team prepares for future challenges.
India's international schedule could therefore become particularly demanding toward the end of 2026. Following the confirmed Brazil fixture and the potential Cabo Verde encounter, the Blue Tigers are also scheduled to travel to New Zealand for two friendlies in November. If all these matches go ahead as planned, India could play four games against teams that featured at the 2026 World Cup during the final months of the year. However, the Cabo Verde fixture remains unconfirmed at present, and its final date and venue will depend on the completion of arrangements between the two football federations.
Also Read: Lionel Messi to End International Career Soon, Says Report