The Indian national team is set to pull out of the upcoming FIFA ASEAN Cup as the senior team gears up to face Brazil in an international friendly. Initially, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) decided to pick two teams, one for the ASEAN Cup and another for the match against the South American side. During the meeting, the AIFF had also decided to send a B team for the tournament. An AIFF insider informed Sports Now that FIFA declined the federation’s request for a second-string squad in the ASEAN Cup.

Sports Now reported earlier that AIFF’s request to participate in both the ASEAN Cup and the Brazil friendly ran into FIFA regulations. A national team can only play a maximum of four matches in the September-October international window. The national team would be crossing that limit if they participated in both.

AIFF are also set to confirm a second international friendly against a team which featured in this year’s FIFA World Cup.

“There are also talks with another team which participated in the World Cup this year,” the AIFF insider said.

“The decision to face Brazil is because it has created a lot of hype and Kolkata also has a huge fan base. It could also generate a good amount of money.”

The decision is also beneficial for AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey ahead of the AIFF elections. The elections were delayed by three months from their original September 2026 timeline. It will take place in December 2026 after it received approval from FIFA.

“The president is also going to use this in his campaign for the elections,” the insider added.

During the AIFF Executive Committee meeting last week, the AIFF also agreed to make an advance payment to the agency behind the friendly against Brazil. In the meeting, it was also revealed that the payment would be reimbursed later.

The friendly against Brazil is scheduled for October 3. The AIFF hasn’t officially pulled out of the ASEAN Cup yet, which is set to take place from September 24 to October 3.