Kerala football fans had been thrilled at the thought of hosting Lionel Messi and the Argentinian national team in Kochi. The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium was being upgraded in anticipation of the friendly — a moment that promised to be historic for Kerala football.

But when the match was officially called off, excitement turned to confusion. The cancellation didn’t just end the dream of seeing Messi play in Kochi; it also raised fresh worries about the stadium’s readiness for the next football season.

Stadium repairs and rising concern

The repair and renovation work at the stadium, started to meet international standards, remains incomplete. According to reports, the upgrades might not finish before December — around the same time the Indian Super League (ISL) is expected to begin.

For the fans of Kerala Blasters FC (KBFC), this delay caused concern. Without a ready home stadium, could their beloved ‘Yellow Army’ be forced to play elsewhere?

Rumours of relocation spread fast

Speculation gained strength after media reports claimed that the club might shift base for the 2025–26 ISL season. Reports even suggested possible new home grounds in Hyderabad, Ahmedabad or Pune.

When MP Hibi Eden also mentioned the uncertainty, many fans feared the worst — that the Kochi-based team might no longer call Kerala its home. The anxiety among supporters was visible across social media, where thousands began seeking clarity from the club.

Fans relieved after clarification

Kerala Blasters FC supporters can finally relax after Chief Executive Officer Abhik Chatterjee denied reports suggesting the club planned to move out of Kerala.

Chatterjee clarified that the team is fully focused on preparing for the Super Cup and has not discussed any location change. Addressing one such query on X (formerly Twitter), Chatterjee replied: “We haven’t said/mentioned this anywhere.”

He reassured fans that the club maintains a strong relationship with the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) that manages stadium. He confirmed that KBFC’s existing contract with GCDA for hosting ISL matches remains active and will take effect once fixtures are finalised.