AFC delegates inspect Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong for Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers

Meghalaya FA confident of timely implementation of the improvements suggested by AFC.
The delegates of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) visited the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong, to inspect the facilities of the stadium. The ground is expected to host home matches of the Indian football team for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 qualifiers final round.
As reported earlier AIFF are interested in hosting two international football matches, which include the match of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 qualifiers final round, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong. It is anticipated that the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong will host the Indian football team’s opening match of the competition against the Bangladeshi team on March 25.
Also read: Shillong likely to host Indian Football Team’s Asian Cup Qualifiers
Manolo Marquez’s. Blue Tigers were drawn against Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangladesh in Group C of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round. There are six groups in the competition, and the six group winners will qualify for the tournament.
AFC delegates inspect the ground
The AFC match commissioner, Mindu Dorjee, and AIFF club licensing and competitions senior manager, Abhishek Yadav, visited the stadium and inspected the ground, player dressing rooms, and all necessary facilities on Monday morning.
A source from the Meghalaya FA told Khel Now, that the delegates visited the stadium and inspected the playing ground, stadium, dressing rooms, press conference area, ground, and all necessary areas. The source stated that the delegates are satisfied with the quality of the ground and with all the arrangements but pointed out some areas that need to be developed in the coming days.
The Meghalaya FA is very confident about implementing all the suggestions given by the delegates and is optimistic about receiving a positive report.
Conrad Sangma, the chief minister of Meghalaya, has already approved the proposal of the All India Football Federation and Meghalaya FA to host two matches of the Indian football team in Shillong. He has also assured the federation of the necessary support to host the matches.
About the stadium
The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, popularly known as Polo Stadium, has undergone major renovations in the last three years to meet FIFA standards. Last year, the stadium hosted the 133rd edition of the Durand Cup, including the semifinal game between Shillong Lajong FC and NorthEast United FC. The stadium witnessed a massive crowd during the competition, with more than fourteen thousand spectators attending the quarterfinals and final.
The Indian team is scheduled to play three home matches: against Bangladesh on 25th March, against Singapore on 9th October, and against Hong Kong on 31st March 2026. The away fixtures are scheduled as follows: against Hong Kong on 10th June, against Singapore on 14th October, and against Bangladesh on 18th November.
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