"I don’t fear anything": Khalid Jamil calls for India to embrace big challenges
India to play four FIFA World Cup nations in 2026.
India are set to play their biggest game in history when they take on five-time world champions Brazil on October 3rd, 2026, at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata, also popularly referred to as the Mecca of Indian Football.
Apart from the marquee fixture, the Blue Tigers are set to play two other FIFA World Cup-playing nations in the upcoming September-October FIFA International window when they take on two-time world champions Uruguay and North American outfit Panama.
The men’s senior team are going through catastrophic times after failing to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup for the first time in twelve years, finishing at the bottom in the Unity Cup 2026 after defeats to Zimbabwe and Jamaica and remaining winless against Tajikistan in the last two friendlies.
In the entire calendar year of 2026, India won only one game against Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers. Moreover, India failed to keep a clean sheet even once and failed to find the back of the net in the Unity Cup 2026.
Ahead of the much-anticipated FIFA International window in September and October, the Indian national team’s head coach, Khalid Jamil, seemed fearless and confident in a conversation with TOI.
From taking full responsibility for results to stepping out of his comfort zone against big teams, we take a closer look at what Khalid Jamil had to say just weeks before the three marquee fixtures.
Khalid won bronze with India in his debut tournament
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Former Jamshedpur FC head coach Khalid Jamil took over as head coach of the Indian senior men’s team after Manolo Marquez parted ways. His maiden tournament was in Hisor, Tajikistan, when India played the CAFA Nations Cup.
The Blue Tigers defeated two higher-ranked teams, hosts Tajikistan in the group stage fixtures and Oman in penalties to clinch a bronze.
Eventually, India also played against Iran, who went on to feature in the FIFA World Cup and held big teams like Belgium and Egypt to a stalemate.
Khalid said, “I don’t fear anything. For the CAFA Cup, there were high-ranking teams. I could have been selfish and said No, I don’t want this assignment. I felt it was good. These high-profile games can be good for Indian football; they can prove to be a turning point. We need more such games. The results are not in my hands, but we should put up a good show.”
Khalid is optimistic ahead of the big games
India are set to play four FIFA World Cup-playing nations in the upcoming friendlies. After the three big games against Panama, Brazil and Uruguay, India are New Zealand-bound in the November International window.
The Blue Tigers will take on the All Whites in Christchurch and Auckland. Head coach Khalid feels that whatever the results be, these games will help the players get good exposure and step out of their comfort zones to play against some of the big teams in the world.
“Whatever AIFF has done, I am very happy. I feel we must move out of our comfort zone. These are teams that have been world champions. How long will we play against lower-ranked teams? We must test ourselves against stronger teams and stay positive. This is a good move. After this window, we have World Cup-playing nation New Zealand. I am certain we will see improvements. Whatever the results, I will not blame anyone. It’s my responsibility.”
Khalid expressed his gratitude to ISL clubs for releasing players
Unlike previous occasions, where ISL clubs had been hesitant to release their players for the national team, several ISL clubs have agreed to release their players a week prior to the official window.
The players will assemble in Bengaluru to train from next week onward, where they are set to take on Panama in the opening clash of the high-profile window on September 25th.
“We suffered last time. The clubs are in pre-season training, but they agreed to give us an additional week. Players are out of touch with the Durand Cup, as it was the only competitive game, and not all clubs took part. We have a lot of work to do,” Khalid Jamil further added.
Which FIFA World Cup nations are India playing in 2026?
India will first play Panama, Brazil and Uruguay in the September-October FIFA International window. Followed by these games, India will play two friendlies against New Zealand in November.
Who is the head coach of Indian men’s senior national football team?
Khalid Jamil is the head coach of Indian men’s senior national football team.
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