Guwahati: The Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati will host the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers match between India and Afghanistan on March 26.
The match is crucial for India to reach the third round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in the continent.
“We are gearing up to host the FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between India and Afghanistan,” Sangrang Brahma, secretary of the Assam Football Association (AFA) told Northeast News.
Both the Indian and Afghanistan teams are expected to reach Guwahati on March 24, and are likely to have practice sessions on March 25 before the crucial FIFA World Cup Qualifier.
The AFA, which saw key administrative changes at last year’s association election under its president Naba Kumar Doley, is quite euphoric with the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifier in Guwahati.
Hosting an international football match in Guwahati is always a matter of pride for the host association, Brahma said.
“Hosting international football matches is important to attract the football-loving crowd of Assam and Northeast India remains connected with the national team,” the AFA secretary said.
The AFA is already upbeat with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma keeping football top on the state government priority list.
Sarma’s government has recently sanctioned ₹600 crore to demolish and reconstruct the old Nehru Stadium as a dedicated football stadium.
