AIFF close to finalising India friendly against Cape Verde, Kochi or Kolkata likely to host

The possibility of seeing Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha in India is getting closer to reality, with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in the final stages of discussions to arrange an international friendly against the African side.

The proposed fixture is expected to be played in either Kochi or Kolkata, with the AIFF working to finalise the details of the match. While an official confirmation is still awaited, talks between the two sides have progressed significantly, raising the prospect of another high-profile international fixture for Indian football fans.

Cape Verde, who made their FIFA World Cup debut in 2026, have attracted considerable attention after their impressive campaign. Goalkeeper Vozinha has emerged as one of the team's most recognisable players and would be a major attraction if the friendly goes ahead in India.

The proposed match could also add to an exciting international football calendar for Indian fans.

Kolkata is already set to host India's much-anticipated friendly against Brazil, making the city a potential venue for another international encounter. \

Kochi, meanwhile, has a strong football following and has regularly hosted major international and domestic fixtures.

For the AIFF, the proposed friendly would provide India with another opportunity to test themselves against a strong international opponent.

Cape Verde's rise on the global stage and their recent World Cup experience would make the fixture particularly valuable for the Indian team.

The final venue, date and other match-day details are expected to be confirmed once the ongoing discussions are completed. For now, Kochi and Kolkata remain the two cities in contention to host the proposed India-Cape Verde friendly.