GCDA warns AIFF to cancel contract for hosting India vs Hong Kong AFC Asian Cup Qualifier match: Reports
The stadium has been rented for an amount of three lakhs and a security deposit of twenty-five lakhs
God’s own country is all geared up to host the Indian National Football Team on the 31st of March, 2026, as they lock horns against the Hong Kong National Football team as a part of the final round of the Group C fixtures of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.
With the excitement of welcoming the national team after a wait of over a decade, slowly hitting the streets of Kerala, the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) is creating endless hurdles for the team to play a match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi.
The stadium, which has undergone massive infrastructural upgradations in the recent past, has demanded a rent of three lakhs and a security deposit of twenty-five lakhs from the AIFF for conducting the AFC match. However, as per the latest updates, the AIFF are yet to pay the security deposit to the GCDA, which was to be paid through the Kerala Football Association, the organisers of the match.
As per reports from the local media, following this delay in the payment, the GCDA has now warned the AIFF that they will cancel the contract for the match if the payment for the match is not made by Monday, 30th March.
Greenlight yet to be received from GCDA
On the 27th of March, the Kerala Football Association (KFC) conducted a press meet at the stadium featuring the head coach Khalid Jamil, and the Malayali players Sahal Abdul Samad, Bijoy Vargheese and Ashique Kuruniyan. However, due to some internal disputes, the players and the coach were denied entry to the stadium, leading to the press meet being cancelled.
The Indian team was also scheduled to train at the stadium on the very same day, but, however, citing the same reasons, the session was cancelled as the stadium authorities denied permission to train. Now with just two days remaining for the match, the GCDA has issued a warning to the AIFF.
Also Read: Chaos at Kochi as GCDA shuts stadium ahead of KFA Press Meet for India vs Hong Kong
Following this, the AIFF issued a statement, reassuring the match would take place as scheduled, at Kochi.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) would like to clarify that the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round match between India and Hong Kong, China, scheduled to be played in Kochi, will proceed as planned.
We remain in constant coordination with the Kerala Football Association (KFA) regarding the arrangements for the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. We have full faith that the formalities will be completed by the Kerala Football Association with the local authorities. As per the operational timeline, the stadium is required to come under the control of the match operations team from Matchday-2 (March 29), and we are confident that all necessary procedures will be completed within the stipulated timeframe.
The AIFF appreciates the cooperation of all stakeholders and looks forward to successfully hosting the match in Kochi. – the statement read
However, on the Matchday-2 (March 29th), things have gone into turmoil at Kochi. According to Mathrubhumi, a leading Malayalam daily, the GCDA has warned the AIFF that they will cancel the contract for hosting the match if the payment is not made by the 31st, raising concerns about the match.
Tickets filling fast
Despite the speculations in the air about the match being cancelled, the tickets for the India vs Hong Kong match have been selling off rapidly. With two days remaining for the match, the tickets of the East Gallery, commonly called the Manjappada Stand, have been sold out.
With the excitement at it peak, a huge turnaround is expected at Kochi for the match, despite the match being a dead rubber. Fans who have still not purchased their tickets for the match can do so by booking them from the TicketGenie app.
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Niranjan R Prabhu is an Economics student from Kochi with an enduring passion for Indian football, especially as a devoted Kerala Blasters FC fan — a club he considers part of his life. Beyond the game, he writes on culture, Indian economic development, and sustainability, always eager to explore ideas in depth. His days are a balancing act between college, writing, and travel.