New Delhi: India has formally withdrawn from the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup to focus on its marquee international friendly against five-time world champions Brazil set for October, All India Football Federation (AIFF) deputy secretary general M Satyanarayanan confirmed on Thursday.

The decision to pull out deprives the Blue Tigers of a chance to test themselves against some of Southeast Asia's top nations in a FIFA-recognised tournament.

"We have pulled out of the FIFA ASEAN Cup since we can't play both Brazil and FIFA ASEAN Cup," Satyanarayanan told PTI.

Conceived as a fresh international fixture for ASEAN region teams, the tournament had extended a special invitation to India as a non-ASEAN participant.

The AIFF had initially accepted FIFA's invite and signed the participation contract, placing India in Division 1 Group A along with Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. The event was set to take place within the FIFA international window spanning September 21 to October 6.

However, a direct scheduling conflict arose due to India's high-profile clash against Brazil, scheduled for October 3 at Kolkata’s iconic Salt Lake Stadium—a match officially confirmed last month.

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Although the AIFF initially evaluated sending a secondary or developmental team to the ASEAN Cup, the federation ultimately chose a complete withdrawal, opting instead to utilize the international window for friendly matches.

Additionally, reports surfaced Thursday indicating the AIFF is seeking friendlies against teams from the 2026 FIFA World Cup roster, with discussions reportedly covering nations like Cabo Verde and Iran. These potential fixtures remain unconfirmed by the federation.

The withdrawal represents a clear shift in strategy for India, a side currently looking for regular, high-caliber international opposition after failing to qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

Single bid submitted for ISL media rights

In other domestic football developments, the Indian Super League (ISL) has received only one bid for its media rights ahead of the upcoming season, set to kick off on September 4. The extended submission deadline for the tenders closed on August 12.

Sources indicate that the solitary bidder is a digital streaming service lacking a linear television network.

This presents a strategic challenge for the AIFF and ISL franchises, as linear television coverage remains a crucial component for sustaining fan engagement in India's top-tier league. During the 2025-26 season, digital rights holder FanCode sub-licensed broadcast rights to Sony Pictures Networks India while retaining exclusive OTT streaming rights.

The AIFF issued the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the 2026-27 media rights on July 25, following a consensus between the federation and member clubs to transition to a club-led management model for two to four years, with the AIFF retaining primary administrative and regulatory oversight. (PTI)