Shillong set to host two international football matches on March 19 and 25

Shillong
March 4, 2025

Shillong is set to host two major international football matches this month, bringing the spotlight back to Meghalaya’s growing reputation as a football hub. The Indian men’s national team will face Maldives in a friendly match on March 19, followed by a crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against Bangladesh on March 25 at the JN Stadium.

The Meghalaya Football Association (MFA) has been actively preparing for these high-stakes encounters, ensuring the readiness of both the JN Stadium and the NEHU training ground. MFA General Secretary Sunesh Syiem and Vice-President Cliff Nongrum have confirmed that the friendly match against Maldives will proceed as planned, dispelling earlier speculations of a cancellation.

The JN Stadium has earned high praise from AFC Match Commissioner Mindu Dorjee and Indian men’s national assistant coach Mahesh Gawali, who described it as “one of the best football grounds” in the country. However, work is still underway to upgrade the NEHU training ground to international standards, with special machinery being brought in to level the turf.

These matches cap off a successful year for Meghalaya in hosting top-tier football events. The state government’s decision to replace the JN Stadium’s artificial turf with a natural grass surface has played a key role in attracting international fixtures, reinforcing Shillong’s position as a premier footballing destination in India.