The All India Football Federation is set to honour Indian football team captain Sunil Chhetri, as he prepares to mark his remarkable 150th senior international match during India’s upcoming game against Afghanistan on Tuesday.

In their quest for glory in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2, India are set to  confront Afghanistan once more, merely four days after their initial encounter ended in a goalless draw at the Damac Stadium in Saudi Arabia. Having returned home, India is now ready to host the reverse leg at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, that could see Chhetri make his 150th appearance. 

Commenting on Chhetri’s achievement, AIFF President Mr. Kalyan Chaubey said: “It's been an awe-inspiring and staggering cruise that all of us have been fortunate to witness since 2005. Chhetri playing his 150th international match is an extraordinary accomplishment that will go a long way in keeping the Indian football flag flying high. He has been a great influencer who has motivated millions to play this Beautiful Game. I congratulate Chhetri for reaching this great height in international football.”

AIFF Acting Secretary General Mr. M Satyanarayan said: “In many football fans’ eyes, Chhetri is almost the synonym of the Indian Men’s National Team, something that is not far from the truth. He is a fabulous footballer, a cool captain, and a star striker. The All India Football Federation is proud to felicitate him on his 150th international match. We sincerely hope Chhetri will continue to serve Indian football in the same breath in the future.”

Chhetri embarked on his illustrious journey with the national team on June 12, 2005, in a friendly game against Pakistan in Quetta. His debut was nothing short of memorable as he found the net in that encounter, ultimately culminating in a 1-1 draw. Since then, he has amassed a staggering 149 appearances for the Blue Tigers, spanning an impressive international career of 19 years.

Throughout this remarkable tenure, Chhetri has exhibited unparalleled prowess in terms of scoring goals with a tally of 93 goals, a feat that stands as a national record. Currently ranked as the fourth highest international goalscorer of all time, and third among active goalscorers, trailing only behind the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Chhetri's impact on Indian football is undeniable.

Moreover, he holds a unique distinction in the annals of Indian football history, having scored in his debut match, as well as in his 25th, 50th, 75th, 100th, and 125th appearances for the national team,