Shillong likely to host Indian Football Team's Asian Cup Qualifiers, reveals Meghalaya FA President

Indian football team will face Bangladesh on the 25th of March, 2025, in the first qualification match.

All India Football Federation (AIFF) is interested in hosting the Indian Football Team’s AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers matches at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong. The Blue Tigers will play in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualification as they failed to qualify directly after finishing in the third position of Group A in the second round of the 2026, World Cup Asia qualification.

Hamletson Dohling, the president of the Meghalaya Football Association, confirmed in an exclusive interview with Khel Now that the AIFF is interested in hosting the Indian Football Team’s Asian Qualification matches in Shillong.

Hamletson Dohling expressed gratitude to AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey. He said, “President Kalyan Chaubey, sir, called me and asked whether we, the Meghalaya Football Association, were willing to host two matches of the Indian football team in Shillong or not. We were very happy to hear that and requested the President to give us some time for the necessary approval and provisions.”

Hamletson Dohling informed Khel Now that the Meghalaya government has also approved the matter and is interested in helping from all sides.

“We asked for some time because a big event like this cannot be hosted without the government’s approval, support, and assistance. I met the Honourable Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad Sangma, and he was very happy to know that these two important games will be coming to Shillong and approved it,” said the Meghalaya Football Association President.

AIFF inspection passed, waiting for AFC

The President informed that the official from the AIFF Head of Competition came to Shillong on 11th January, Saturday, to inspect the stadium, the surroundings, and everything. Hamletson Dohling said, “AIFF Head of Competition came and inspected the ground, the dressing room, the stadium, and the surroundings. But even they are waiting for the officials from the AFC to come and inspect the ground.”

Talking further on this, he added, “Now we are in the process of doing all this homework. Let’s see because, on this subject, officials from the AFC, Asian Football Confederation, will come to inspect the ground and the necessary details. So, we are still in preparation.”

“Let the officials from AIFF and AFC come and verify, examine the ground, stadium, and everything,” he added.

Preparations ongoing to host Indian Football Team

The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium has undergone major renovations over the last two years. With an expected seating capacity of close to 30,000 and the current arrangements and progress of the work, the stadium was on track to meet FIFA standards, making the football field capable of hosting any international tournaments.

After undergoing a massive two-year renovation, the stadium was ready for football action just before the Durand Cup. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, during a visit to the stadium in 2023, told the media that they expect a seating capacity of close to 30,000 and that with the current arrangements and progress of the work, the stadium was on track to meet FIFA standards and could host any international tournaments.

Commenting on the ground, the president said that the stadium is completely ready to host any game. “All is perfect, except there are some small, small issues that we have to clear within a few days. Hopefully, they will be satisfied with everything. Also, we have enough time, and we can handle everything.”

The streets lineup with Shillong's faithful watching on intently as their teams battle it out for a Durand Cup Final spot 📣🏆Courtesy: Novenson Snaitang#IndianFootball #northeastunitedfc #shillonglajong #shillong #durandcupsemifinals pic.twitter.com/xdU8EFLL1c

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) August 26, 2024

On NorthEast United FC’s last three matches at Shillong

NorthEast United FC, the outfit of the Indian Super League, is going to host their last three matches at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong. The team will face Mumbai City FC on the 7th of February, Bengaluru FC on the 21st of February, and East Bengal FC on the 8th of March 2025, in Shillong.

Highlanders,Here are our fixtures for the second half of the ISL 2024-25 campaign! And YES, we're coming to Shillong, the ISL is coming to Shillong! 🏔️#StrongerAsOne #8States1United pic.twitter.com/kXE26aVcYk

— NorthEast United FC (@NEUtdFC) October 16, 2024

Commenting on this, the president said, “The people love football. A big event like ISL coming to Shillong, especially NorthEast United playing their home matches in Shillong, we are expecting that a maximum number of crowd to come and attend to watch the ISL matches.”

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