Calcutta (India) (AFP) - Fans of the Indian national football team acknowledged their divided loyalties as they awaited the first friendly match in their country's history against giants Brazil in Calcutta on Saturday.
Published on: 03/10/2026 - 14:16
Brazil, which has won the World Cup five times, has a huge fan base in the football-mad eastern city, where many were seen wearing the team's famous yellow jersey as the match approached.
India, ranked 138th in the world, enters the match as an obscure side, knowing that it will start at 7:30 pm local time (14:00 GMT) at Salt Lake Stadium.
"We are very excited. Many of us will be in the stadium, while others will be watching the match on television," Joydeep Pal, 30, a member of a Brazilian fans' association in Kolkata, told AFP.
He continued, "We have seen Brazilian stars such as Vinicius Junior, Danilo Santos and Endrik on television. Now we have a great opportunity to see them ignite the atmosphere on the field."
He added, "But our hearts are divided between our love for Brazil and our country. We will pray for India to win the match."
India has never qualified for a World Cup, and while football is hugely popular, it is second only to cricket in a country that loves the sport.
Fans traveled from all over the country to watch their favorite stars on the field, which has a capacity of 65,000 spectators.
Memin, a 31-year-old engineer who traveled with his partner from the state of Manipur in northeastern India, said: “I watched Brazil win the 2002 World Cup on television, and since then I have become attached to football and follow the Brazilian team.”
He added, "I will remain neutral in this match and enjoy football instead of taking sides."
The authorities imposed strict security measures around the stadium, as organizers seek to avoid a repeat of the chaos that the city witnessed when Argentine star Lionel Messi visited it in December.
Angry fans broke barriers and stormed the field itself after Messi suddenly left the place.
The Brazilian team also brought its own security personnel to ensure the safety of the players.
"We have made extensive security and traffic arrangements to ensure that the match goes ahead without any untoward incidents," Police Commissioner Rathod Amitkumar Bharat told reporters.
"This time, spectators will have to pass through three layers of security procedures before entering the stadium," he continued.
He pointed out that fans are prohibited from bringing “banners, paintings, posters, umbrellas and water bottles” into the stadium.
© 2026 AFP
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