India to host Uruguay in FIFA window, days after Brazil friendly in Kolkata
New Delhi: India will host two-time FIFA World Cup champions Uruguay in an international friendly in Kolkata on October 6, adding another high-profile fixture to a packed schedule for the Indian men's football team.
The match will be played at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, the same venue where India will face five-time World Cup champions Brazil three days earlier on October 3.
The fixtures are part of the FIFA international window from September 21 to October 6. India can play up to four matches during the window.
India set for three major home fixtures
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) said Uruguay's visit will give Indian fans the chance to watch three World Cup-playing nations in the country during the same FIFA window.
India will first face Panama at Bengaluru's Sree Kanteerava Stadium on September 26, before taking on Brazil and Uruguay in Kolkata.
“This is an unprecedented run of international football for Indian fans, with three World Cup-playing nations- Panama, Brazil and Uruguay- set to visit the country within the same FIFA window,” the AIFF said.
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Uruguay's World Cup record
Uruguay are currently ranked 20th in the FIFA rankings and have won the World Cup twice, in 1930 and 1950. They have also reached the semifinals three times, in 1954, 1970 and 2010.
At the 2026 World Cup, Uruguay were eliminated in the group stage after drawing against Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde and losing to eventual champions Spain. They had also exited at the group stage of the 2022 tournament.
Uruguay's current head coach, Diego Forlan, previously played for Mumbai City FC in 2016.
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Panama return to Bengaluru
Earlier on Thursday, the AIFF confirmed that Bengaluru's Sree Kanteerava Stadium will host India's friendly against Panama on September 26.
The match will mark India's return to the venue since the 2023 SAFF Championship. The Blue Tigers won that tournament on home soil after defeating Kuwait in the final at the same stadium.
Panama are ranked 44th in the world and featured at the 2026 World Cup, where they were eliminated in the group stage after defeats to Ghana, Croatia and England. They also played at the 2018 World Cup, exiting in the group stage.
India are also scheduled to play two away friendlies against New Zealand on November 12 and 15.