Kochi to host India's final AFC Asian Cup qualifier match against Hong Kong

Blue Tigers set to return to Kochi after 10 years

The Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi, Kerala, will host the India senior men’s national team’s last match of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round against Hong Kong, China, on March 31, 2026. The match will kick off at 19:00 IST.

This will mark the first time in 10 years that Kochi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will host the Blue Tigers. In March 2016, India faced Turkmenistan in a FIFA World Cup qualifier at the same venue. That was also the last time the Indian senior men’s team played in Kerala.

India will aim to end the campaign with a win

India, who are out of the reckoning for a place in the AFC Asian Cup 2027, will aim to end their qualifying campaign with a win. Despite it being a dead rubber in the context of the qualifiers, as Hong Kong have also been eliminated, the match still carries significance with FIFA ranking points on offer. With both India and Hong Kong already eliminated from qualification, the match will technically be a dead rubber in terms of tournament progression.

It will be the third different home venue for India in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round, after Shillong hosted the game against Bangladesh last March, and Margao hosted Singapore last October.

This match will provide an opportunity to end the qualifying cycle with a strong performance in front of what is expected to be a vibrant Kerala crowd. Supporters in Kochi have historically created an electric atmosphere for football matches. Beyond the result, the game will also serve as a chance for India’s coaching staff to assess players and tactical discipline and combinations as the team begins preparations for the upcoming matches.

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