Panaji: India are moving towards playing an unprecedented four, possibly even five, games against FIFA World Cup 2026 opponents this year, after the All India Football Federation (AIFF) signed a letter of intent with Panama for an international friendly at home during the Sept-Oct match window.The FIFA international friendly against Panama is scheduled for the weekend of Sept 26-27. The venue is yet to be finalised.Given that India have confirmed a historic friendly against Brazil in Kolkata on Oct 3 and there are two away games against New Zealand in Nov, the next three months will see the national team play four times against teams from the last World Cup.“There is a high possibility of an international friendly against another World Cup opponent on Oct 6,” a senior AIFF official told TOI on Sunday. “Brazil is done and Panama have agreed in principle to play in India. Talks are ongoing with three countries who featured at the last World Cup (for the third friendly during this window). A good result against any of the World Cuppers can boost Indian football’s morale and improve the rankings significantly.”Panama, ranked 44 in the world, featured at the last World Cup and bowed out at the group stage. They were placed in a challenging group, which included eventual semifinalists England, former finalists Croatia and African powerhouse Ghana.Coached by Denmark-born Thomas Christiansen, Panama suffered bruising losses at the World Cup, with the defeat to Ghana particularly difficult to digest after they conceded in the fifth minute of extra time. Against Croatia, it was another narrow loss, while Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane struck to hand England a comfortable 2-0 win.After their friendly in India, Panama will travel to Japan to take part in the Kirin Cup 2026, where they will join hosts Japan (world no. 17), Ecuador (25) and New Zealand (86) with games in Yokohama and Tokyo.The Kirin Cup is an invitational football tournament organised by the Japanese Football Association since 1978, with Tunisia claiming the title at the last edition in 2022.Interestingly, New Zealand will face India over two matches: in Auckland on Nov 12 and Christchurch on Nov 15.
