Indian men’s football team to participate in Merdeka cup after 22 years

The Indian men’s football team will take on the host Malaysia on 13 October 2023 to kickstart its 2023 Merdeka cup campaign . India's last appearance in the Merdeka cup was in 2001 where it lost all its matches and finished last.

Four teams, India, Palestine, Lebanon and Malaysia will participate in the 41st Merdeka cup to be played at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur from 13 -17 October 2023.

Merdeka Cup or Pestabola Merdeka started in 1957 as a friendly international tournament to celebrate Malaysia’s Independence.

The Merdeka Cup was once considered as a prestigious football tournament of Asia. It was nicknamed as the  ‘Grand Old lady of Asia’ but over a period of time there has been a steady decline in the status of the tournament .

The tournament was held annually from 1957 to 1988  but between 1988 till 2013 ,it was held only nine times .

India have played 17 of the 41 editions of the Merdeka tournament played so far, last making an appearance in 2001.

India’s best performances at the Malaysian tournament are runners-up finishes in 1959 and 1964.

Important Football tournament and cup of India