Shillong — Meghalaya is set to welcome international football action as the Indian senior men’s team prepares to play two crucial matches in March. The state government, in collaboration with the Meghalaya Football Association, is undertaking extensive preparations to ensure the successful hosting of these fixtures.
Indian team assistant coach Mahesh Gawali visited Shillong on February 18 to inspect the Jawaharlal Nehru (JN) Stadium and the practice ground at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU). The All India Football Federation (AIFF) had earlier confirmed that Shillong will host a FIFA friendly against Maldives on March 19, followed by an AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against Bangladesh on March 25.
During his visit, Gawali praised the renovations at JN Stadium, calling it “one of the best football grounds” in India. He conducted a detailed assessment of the pitch, stands, and changing rooms while also reviewing improvements at the NEHU practice ground. Discussions with Meghalaya Football Association Vice-President Cliff Nongrum explored the possibility of installing portable changing rooms to further enhance player facilities.
Gawali stressed the importance of a permanent, high-quality practice ground, noting that it would help establish Shillong as a key destination for international football in the long run. His observations align with the broader vision of upgrading Meghalaya’s sports infrastructure to attract more high-profile football events.
India, currently in Group C of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers final round, is competing against Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangladesh in a home-and-away round-robin format that extends until March 2026. With only the group winners securing direct qualification, India’s upcoming match against Bangladesh in Shillong will be a critical fixture in their campaign.