India vs. Maldives football: The 40-year-old Indian football great Sunil Chhetri, who reversed his international retirement earlier this month, will make his comeback in Wednesday’s friendly match against the Maldives. This would be Chhetri’s 152nd game for India.
After India’s FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers ended in a draw with Kuwait, Chhetri, the Blue Tigers’ all-time top scorer, announced his retirement from international football last June.
Having scored 12 goals in the ISL 2024–25, he is presently the top Indian goal scorer and one of the greatest football players India has ever produced.
India’s last practice match before their 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification third-round opening against Bangladesh on March 25 will be the next friendly against the Maldives.
In the third round of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifications, India has been put into Group C alongside Bangladesh, Hong Kong, China, and Singapore.
The first-ever international men’s matches at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong will be India’s forthcoming friendly against the Maldives and their opening match in the third round of the AFC Asian Cup qualifying tournament against Bangladesh.
Lallianzuala Chhangte of India will not be playing in the match because of an injury.
India vs. Maldives: Indian Team
India Team: Amarinder Singh, Gurmeet Singh, Vishal Kaith, Asish Rai, Boris Singh Thangjam, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Hmingthanmawia, Mehtab Singh, Rahul Bheke, Roshan Singh Naorem, Sandesh Jhingan, Subhasish Bose, Ashique Kuruniyan, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Brandon Fernandes, Brison Fernandes, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Lalengmawia, Liston Colaco, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Sunil Chhetri, Farukh Choudhary, Irfan Yadwad, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manvir Singh.
Football matchup between India and the Maldives
India has won 12 of the last 18 head-to-head meetings with the Maldives, giving them a commanding record. Three games finished in ties, and three times the Maldives triumphed.
The SAFF Championship 2021 was the last time these two teams faced off. With goals from Manvir Singh and Sunil Chhetri, India won 3-1.
India vs Maldives: Date, Time, Venue, Live streaming
- Date: 19th March, Wednesday
- Time: 7:00 PM IST
- Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Shillong
- Live Stream: Star Sports network
