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Dr. Indranil Khan, the Sports Minister of West Bengal, has hailed the upcoming football match between India and Brazil as a significant milestone. This encounter marks the first time the Indian national team will compete against the five-time World Cup champions. Kolkata, a city renowned for its rich football heritage, has been chosen as the venue for this momentous event, which is scheduled to take place at the Salt Lake Stadium just before Durga Puja.

"This is a momentous occasion. For the first time, the Indian national football team will take on the five-time world champions and one of the top five-ranked teams globally—the Brazilian national team. We are fortunate that this historic event will unfold in Kolkata, a city where football is not just a sport but a deep-seated passion intertwined with our culture. This history will be made on October 3, right before Durga Puja," Dr. Khan stated.

"The Salt Lake Stadium will be filled with thousands of fans supporting the Men in Blue as they face Brazil. The match has been officially confirmed by both teams, and discussions with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) are already underway. We plan to hold another meeting soon to discuss the ticketing arrangements. We have emphasized to the AIFF the necessity for a ticketing system that is completely transparent, fair, and accessible to all football enthusiasts. Previous administrations in West Bengal have faced issues with ticketing irregularities. To avoid problems such as black marketing and unethical practices, we have urged the AIFF to implement a fair ticketing process utilizing advanced technology, similar to that used by FIFA during the World Cup," he added.

On Thursday, the AIFF confirmed that the Brazilian senior men's national team will compete against India in an international friendly match on October 3 in Kolkata, marking a historic moment for Indian football.

Brazil, the most successful men's national team in football history with five World Cup titles, will face India at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. This match is anticipated to be one of the most significant in Indian football history, as it will feature the highest-ranked opponent India has faced since the FIFA World Rankings were established in 1992, with Brazil currently holding the fifth position.