The Indian football team is up for a challenging next ten days or so, and the first challenge for them will be Panama.

The Blue Tigers will face the Central American nation in the first of their three friendly matches, followed by powerhouses Brazil and Uruguay.

Have India played against CONCACAF Nations before?

Panama, which belongs to the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), won’t be the first challenger for India from that part of the globe.

Panama will become the eighth different CONCACAF opponent India have faced when the two sides meet in an international friendly at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Friday.

India have previously faced seven teams from the CONCACAF region – Curaçao, Guyana, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago.

How have India fared against CONCACAF Teams?

India have recorded two wins, two draws and nine defeats in 13 matches against those seven opponents. The two victories came against Puerto Rico and Trinidad & Tobago, while India drew against Jamaica and Saint Kitts and Nevis.

India wins over CONCACAF Teams

The Blue Tigers secured a 4-1 win over Puerto Rico back in 2016, with Narayan Das, Sunil Chhetri, Jeje Lalpekhlua and Jackichand Singh completing a dominating win in Mumbai. India won againt Trinidad and Tobago way back in 1984, when they beat the Caribbean side 3-1 in Port of Spain.

Jamaica have been India’s most frequent CONCACAF opponent, with the teams meeting three times. Trinidad & Tobago have also faced India four times, making them the most-played opponent from the region.

India’s latest encounter against a CONCACAF side came against Jamaica in the 2026 Unity Cup, adding another chapter to the Blue Tigers’ growing history against teams from the confederation.

Panama, however, will present a different challenge. The Central American side are ranked 44th in the FIFA rankings, while India are 138th. Panama also bring recent FIFA World Cup experience, having featured at the 2026 tournament. Their squad includes several players who were part of that World Cup campaign.

For India coach Khalid Jamil, the friendly represents an opportunity to test his side against opposition with considerable international experience. It is also the first of three high-profile friendlies against 2026 World Cup teams, with Brazil and Uruguay scheduled to face India in October in Kolkata.