Attacking concerns at top of agenda as new-look India faces stern test against Panama

As India hits the reset button, it will begin proceedings against 44th-ranked Panama, perhaps the least intimidating of India’s three upcoming high-profile FIFA friendlies (Brazil and Uruguay are the others).

Updated : Sep 24, 2026 20:06 IST , BENGALURU - 4 MINS READ

Ryan Williams (left) with his Indian teammates, during a training session ahead of the friendly game against Panama. | Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR

India will have fond memories of the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in the heart of Bengaluru. It was here that it beat Kuwait on penalties to lift the SAFF Championship 2023.

1,178 days ago, to be exact.

The number gets extra daunting because the Blue Tigers have won only one competitive match at home since. Failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the Asian Cup 2027 marked the last three years before freefalling almost 40 places to 138th in the world rankings.

When India returns to the stadium on Friday, it will hope to feed off whatever energy remains and hit the reset button against 44th-ranked Panama, perhaps the least intimidating of India’s three upcoming high-profile FIFA friendlies (Brazil and Uruguay are the others).

A gamble worth the sacrifice?

India was previously slated to take part in the inaugural edition of FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, which would have pitted it against nations ranked close to it. But when high-profile World Cup-playing nations came knocking, the ASEAN Cup spot was shown the door.

Many, including former player Bhaichung Bhutia, have questioned the move, considering uncertainties and financial concerns in the domestic setup. India winning just twice in 12 games under head coach Khalid Jamil, including a poor outing at the Unity Cup 2026 – where it lost to Jamaica and Zimbabwe without scoring a single goal – did not help the cause either.

Panama head coach Thomas Christiansen and Carlos Harvey during a press conference ahead of the match against India.  | Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR

Panama, on the other hand, has had a successful four-year cycle under head coach Thomas Christiansen. Los Canaleros reached the Copa America quarterfinals in 2024, the CONCACAF Nations League Final in the 2024-25 season and qualified for the FIFA World Cup, going unbeaten in the qualifiers.

But all its build-up fell flat at the quadrennial tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico, where it exited in the group stage without a point or a goal.

New cycle, new team

Sweeping changes have been made across both teams.

Jamil has made nine changes from his previous squad, dropping seniors Sandesh Jhingan, Rahul Bheke, and Lallianzuala Chhangte, who were part of the Unity Cup squad and have 292 caps between them.

“Exclusion of these senior players does not mean that we will not take them again,” Jamil clarified during the pre-match press conference. “This time I have decided to mix the junior and senior players and give the younger guys more matches to play.”

Young goalkeeper Som Kumar has received a maiden call-up, while the selection of defenders Pramveer and Jay Gupta over a traditional centre-back like Jhingan suggests that Jamil wants more dynamism in terms of covering ground quickly against counterattacks.

Mohammed Sanan, Ryan Williams and Manvir Singh remain India’s options along the flanks.

But the onus for attack will fall on Edmund Lalrindika, who has scored seven goals and assisted five since the start of the last Indian Super League season, including a hat-trick for East Bengal in the Durand Cup final against Mohun Bagan.

There will be pressure on East Bengal striker Edmund Lalrindika to come up with the goals in attack. | Photo Credit: PTI

Christiansen has opted for a more extensive overhaul, choosing just 14 out of the 26 from the World Cup squad; the coach also confirmed that five players can make their senior international debuts.

But a tight schedule and visa approvals have hampered Panama’s preparations, with some players still arriving on the eve of the game. Moreover, three players from the initial 27-member squad have been ruled out due to injury, notably Norwich City defender Jose Cordoba.

Still, Panama holds the advantage over India in terms of experience — Besiktas’ Michael Amir Murillo will lead the defence, while Pumas UNAM’s Adalberto Carrasquilla will marshal the midfield.

Though both teams are poles apart in their ranking, the desired takeaway will be the same for both: goals.

Panama will hope to make some amends for its dismal World Cup campaign, while India will seek a leader in attack that has been without a guide since Sunil Chhetri’s retirement.