 "India vs Maldives football: When and where to watch Sunil Chhetri's return to international football")
All eyes will be on Sunil Chhetri as the Indian football team will be back in action after a four-month gap on Wednesday (19 March) in an international friendly against Maldives. India football team’s last match was in November which finished in a 1-1 draw against Malaysia with Rahul Bheke scoring the goal for Blue Tigers.
The international football friendly between India and Maldives not only marks a return of the Blue Tigers to the pitch but also the start of the final round of 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. India’s first match in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers is against Bangladesh on 25 March .
Besides Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Singapore are also part of India’s Group C in the Asian Cup qualifiers. The group winners after six matches for each team will qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup which will be held in Saudi Arabia.
The Indian football team is aiming to qualify for three successive Asian Cups for the first time in their history. This is also the reason they have Chhetri back in the team after the 40-year-old retired from international football last year .
The Maldives friendly will serve as a perfect preparation for India before facing Bangladesh. The two matches will be played at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Polo Ground) in Shillong, Meghalaya. This is the first time Shillong will be hosting senior men’s international matches.
India vs Maldives football: Match details and live streaming information
When and where the India vs Maldives football match be played?
India vs Maldives friendly football match will be played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Wednesday (19 March 2025). The match will start at 7:00 pm IST.
Where to watch India vs Maldives football match?
The India vs Maldives football match will be streamed live on the JioHotstar app and website. The live broadcast of the match will be available on Star Sports 3.
India vs Maldives football head-to-head record
Matches played: 21
India won: 15
Maldives won: 4
Draw: 2
India’s squad for March 2025 FIFA International Window:
Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Gurmeet Singh, Vishal Kaith.
Defenders: Asish Rai, Boris Singh Thangjam, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Hmingthanmawia, Mehtab Singh, Rahul Bheke, Roshan Singh Naorem, Sandesh Jhingan, Subhasish Bose.
Midfielders: Ashique Kuruniyan, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Brandon Fernandes, Brison Fernandes, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Lalengmawia, Liston Colaco, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Suresh Singh Wangjam.
Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Farukh Choudhary, Irfan Yadwad, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manvir Singh.
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