Football
India to participate in Merdeka Cup 2023 from 14 to 17 October
The Football Association of Malaysia confirmed that the Merdeka Cup will be held with four participating nations in 2023.
Coach Igor Stimac training with players ahead of the friendlies. (AIFF)
The Football Association of Malaysia confirmed on Wednesday that the coveted Merdeka Cup will be held between 14th and 17th October, 2023 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. The four participating teams include India, Palestine, Lebanon, and hosts Malaysia.
The Indian men's national team will be playing a host of international tournaments in the build up of AFC Asian Cup 2024 set to be held in Qatar. Igor Stimac's men recently clinched the Hero Tri Nation tournament, a friendly competition between Myanmar, Kyrgyz Republic, and the Blue Tigers.
Back in January, All India Football Federation (AIFF) General Secretary Shaji Prabhakaran had confirmed India's participation in the Malaysian football tournament.
Apart from the Merdeka Cup, the Indian team is scheduled to play the Intercontinental Cup, the SAFF Championship, and the King's Cup, apart from the Asian Games and the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
