The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, Meghalaya, will host two key matches for the Indian senior men’s national football team. Both events will take place during the March FIFA International Window. The Blue Tigers will play an international friendly against the Maldives on March 19. After that, they will kick off their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round campaign against Bangladesh on March 25. Both matches will begin at 7:00 PM IST.
Historic Occasion for Shillong
This marks a milestone for Shillong, as the JLN Stadium will host senior men’s international matches for the first time since its refurbishment last year.
The 15,100-seater venue has hosted domestic competitions such as the Durand Cup, Indian Super League (ISL), I-League, and I-League 2nd Division. Now, it will serve as the backdrop for encounters in India’s quest for AFC Asian Cup qualification.
India is in Group C of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round, alongside Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangladesh. The teams will compete in a home-and-away round-robin format until March 2026. Only the group winners secure a direct spot in the Asian Cup.
During a disappointing AFC Asian Cup 2024 campaign, India failed to register a win or even score a goal. Now, the team is under pressure to make a strong start. Ranked 126th in the FIFA rankings, India is the top team in Group C. Yet, their recent struggles suggest they cannot afford complacency against lower-ranked opponents like Hong Kong (155th), Singapore (160th), and Bangladesh (185th).
India’s Matches in March 2025 FIFA International Window
- March 19: India vs Maldives – 7:00 PM IST – International Friendly
- March 25: India vs Bangladesh – 7:00 PM IST – AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers
India’s match against Bangladesh will be crucial for qualification hopes. It will also be a test to regain confidence. A victory in their opening qualifier would set the tone for the rest of the campaign. At the same time, the friendly against the Maldives will serve as a vital preparation match.
With the passionate and supportive Shillong crowd, the Blue Tigers will be eager to deliver strong performances and take a step closer to the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualification.
