Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia has questioned the decision to host Brazil in a high-profile friendly, arguing that Indian football should first address its growing structural problems.
Brazil, five-time world champions and currently ranked fifth in the world, are scheduled to play India at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan on October 3. The announcement has generated considerable excitement among Indian football fans, but Bhutia believes the focus should instead be on rebuilding the domestic game.
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Bhutia pointed to several recent developments as evidence of the challenges facing Indian football. Jamshedpur FC have opted out of the Indian Super League, while Indian teams are also not participating in the Asian Games. At the same time, India’s FIFA ranking has slipped to around 140.
“I’m not saying they should not come, but at this point, given the condition of Indian football, what are we looking to achieve out of this match?” Bhutia said.
He also questioned the timing of the fixture. India are scheduled to participate in the FIFA ASEAN Cup from September 24 to October 4, alongside Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. With the Brazil match falling during the same period, Bhutia wondered whether India would be able to field its strongest possible team against the South American giants.
“The date, too, I think, should be changed because you may not have the first team playing because it would be in the FIFA ASEAN Cup,” he said. “Are they going to play with a second team, that too against Brazil?”
For Bhutia, the issue goes beyond one international friendly. He believes Indian football needs to concentrate on fixing its foundations, including the domestic structure and the overall development of the sport.
“At this moment, I think the focus should be on getting the restructuring right,” Bhutia said.
He used a striking analogy to underline his concerns, comparing the situation to a family struggling to afford food and make a living while trying to bring a major celebrity to perform at a wedding.
The former India captain’s comments come as Indian football faces renewed questions over its direction. While a match against Brazil could provide Indian fans with an unforgettable experience and generate significant attention for the sport, Bhutia believes such events should not distract from the urgent need for long-term reform.
The Brazil fixture is expected to attract a packed crowd in Kolkata, but for Bhutia, the bigger challenge lies away from the spotlight — rebuilding Indian football so that the national team can once again compete at a higher level.
