Kolkata, Sept. 27 -- The Indian women's football team will play their first-ever international matches in Kolkata, taking on Russia in two friendlies at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan on October 8 and 11, 2026, during the FIFA Women's International Match Window.

The fixtures will be India's first international matches since they were crowned champions of the SAFF Women's Championship for a record-extending sixth time in June 2026.

The October window will provide 69th-ranked India with an opportunity to test themselves against strong European opposition. Russia are ranked 27th in the world, as per the AIFF website.

It will also mark India's first appearance in West Bengal since the 2016 SAFF Women's Championship, which was held in Siligu...