Page 2 - India Football

Madrid mayor slams Vinicius after his Spain shouldn't host 2030 WC comment

The mayor of Madrid criticized Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior on Wednesday after the Brazilian said Spain shouldn't host the 2030 World Cup if the country hasn't come to grips with racism in soccer by then. Vinicius told CNN in an interview that if there is no progress (on racism) before 2030, they should change the host nation for the World Cup. Madrid mayor Jos Luis Martnez-Almeida said Vinicius' comments could be damaging to Spain as a host of the tournament and had painted the country as a racist nation. We are aware that there are racist episodes in society and that we must work hard to put an end to them," Martnez-Almeida said. It's unfair with Spain and with Madrid to say that we are a racist society. Vinicius, who is Black, told CNN he loves living in Madrid and said the majority of people in Spain are not racist, but there is a small group that ends up affecting the image of the country. Vinicius has been subjected to a series of racist insults since he joined Real .

No Sandesh Jhinghan in India's Intercontinental Cup probable squad

Influential centre-back Sandesh Jhingan's name was missing as Chennaiyin FC forward Kiyan Nassiri, son of East Bengal's Iranian legend Jamshid, on Wednesday inched closer to his maiden India selection after being named among new head coach Manolo Marquez's 26 probables for the Intercontinental Cup preparatory camp. Mohun Bagan SG right-back Ashish Rai and East Bengal goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, who are yet to play for the senior India team, also received call-ups for the camp in preparation for the three-team annual tournament that will be held from September 3-9 in Hyderabad. It is understood that key defender Jhingan, who sustained a right knee injury during India's Asian Cup group match against Syria in January, is yet to recover from the injury. Jhingan, the 31-year-old central defender, also missed out on selection for the team's camp ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 preliminary joint qualification round 2 matches against Kuwait and Qatar, in May. Syria, placed 93rd in

Euro 2024 quarterfinals: Ronaldo heads home as France beats Portugal 5-3

France's heartache in penalty shootouts is over. So is Cristiano Ronaldo's last-ever European Championship. In a clash of the soccer superstars, it was Kylian Mbapp and not Ronaldo, his idol advancing to a semifinal match against Spain as France beat Portugal 5-3 in a shootout following a 0-0 draw on Friday. Portugal substitute Joao Felix hit a post with the only miss in the shootout and Theo Hernndez showed no sign of pressure by converting the clinching kick into the top corner. It was a record sixth and final European Championship for the 39-year-old Ronaldo, who scored Portugal's first penalty in the shootout and ended up consoling fellow veteran Pepe afterward as the 41-year-old defender cried on his captain's shoulder. We need to go through this moment of our loss, which is very painful, Pepe said. Ronaldo's 20-year career in the Euros included the title in 2016 when Portugal beat France in the final and it remains to be seen if the five-time world player of the year wil

Euro 2024: Spain advances to knockout round, defeats defending champs Italy

Europe beware Spain might just be back. The three-time European champion advanced to the round of 16 at Euro 2024 after a 1-0 win against holders Italy on Thursday. A 55th-minute own goal by Riccardo Calafiori settled the Group B game at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen. But that didn't begin to tell the full story of a statement performance from Spain, which surely marks it as one of the favorites to win a record-extending fourth European Championship. I think it was the best Spain performance I have taken charge of, coach Luis de la Fuente said. I don't see a ceiling on this team. The sky is the limit. Spain totally dominated defending champion Italy, with 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal further enhancing his reputation as one of soccer's most exciting young stars. Player of the match Nico Williams also tormented Italy's defenders and was the width of the crossbar away from scoring in the second half. It took Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to keep the score down with

FC Barcelona brings down curtains on its football academies in India

World-renowned football club FC Barcelona has decided to shut down all its academies in India, 14 years after starting operations with an aim to train the country's kids in their famed 'La Masia (youth academy)' style. FC Barcelona did not provide any official reason for the closure. All its academies in the Indian cities of Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Pune will cease to exist from July 1. "FC Barcelona have informed the families involved in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Pune will cease to operate as Barca Academies from 1 July 2024," the club said in a statement which it uploaded on its website. "Barcelona's presence in India began back in 2010 and since then thousands of youngsters have learned to play football in the Barca style and with the Club's values. "Furthermore, India was the venue for two Barca Academy APAC tournament in 2019 and 2020 and the academies have been an ever present in the 11 editions of the Barca Academy World Cup held in Barcelona during Easter Week,"

Days after World Cup qualifier loss, AIFFS sacks head coach Igor Stimac

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Monday sacked Igor Stimac as the head coach of the country's senior's men's team following a disappointing campaign in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Stimac, who was appointed as the head coach in 2019, was given an extension last year by the sport's apex body. India could not make the third round of the World Cup qualifier following a 1-2 defeat against Qatar in their final second round match. "Noting the disappointing outcome of the Senior Men's National Team's FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification campaign, the members unanimously agreed that a new Head Coach would be best placed to take the team forward," the AIFF said in a statement. "A notice of termination has been issued to Mr. Stimac by the AIFF Secretariat, and he stands relieved of his obligations with immediate effect." The 56-year-old Stimac, who was part of the Croatia team that made the semifinals of the 1998 World Cup, had taken charge of the Blue Tigers in 2019, after t

No VAR! India's FIFA World Cup 2026 dream shattered by controversial goal

The FIFA World Cup 2026 second round qualifier saw a controversial goal by Qatar's Yousef Aymen in the 73rd minute, which the Indian team contested as the ball had gone out of play

A summer kick for football fans

South American football is associated with dazzling entertainment, only three teams - Brazil, Mexico and Argentina - currently figure in the FIFA world team rankings

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier, India vs Kuwait highlights: Sunil Chhetri finishes without scoring

In his last appearance for India, the 'captain, leader, legend' Sunil Chhetri couldn't score and neither could India and Kuwait with the match ending 0-0, India's chances of qualification diminishing

FIFA WC 2026 Qualifier, India vs Kuwait live match time, live streaming

In the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier, India vs Kuwait live match will begin at 7:00 PM IST today at Salt Lake Stadium. IND vs KUW match is also Sunil Chhetri's final match in international football

Sunil Chhetri's dedication, ability to evolve set him apart: Rahim Nabi

Former India midfielder Syed Rahim Nabi on Thursday heaped praise on Sunil Chhetri, who is retiring from the international game after Thursday's World Cup qualifying round match against Kuwait, saying the records set by the iconic footballer will be difficult to surpass. He, however, hoped that someone in future will fill the boots of Chhetri. "The records that he (Chhetri) has set, surpassing that will be very difficult," Nabi told PTI at the East Bengal club ground a few hours before the all important match at Salt Lake Stadium. "Bhaichung (Bhutia) filled the boots of the great IM Vijayan, Sunil filled Bhaichung's boots, someone will fill his (Chhetri's) boots but what he has done," said Nabi, who had played many matches together with Chhetri in the national team. He complimented Chhetri for his longevity and said that the ace striker was always able to adapt and evolve. Nabi, who played in more than 60 matches for India between 2004 and 2013, said it was a matter of pride that

FIFA WC qualifier: Impt for all of us, especially Sunil bhai, says Thapa

Central midfielder Anirudh Thapa knows that a win for India in their upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifier against Kuwait will be massive for the country's football landscape and he is confident of putting the best foot forward. The game, at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, will also mark the legendary Sunil Chhetri's farewell from international football after a glorious 19-year career. "It is an important match for all of us, and especially for Sunil bhai. We need to make sure that we qualify for the third round because that would be huge for Indian football and the fans," Thapa told the All India Football Federation's website. "We're playing at the Salt Lake and the stadium will be fully packed. We all know how crazy the fans are and how much they love football there. We will give our best for the nation. We need to be at our best to get those three points," he added. India, who need to win their last two matches in the qualifiers against Kuwait (home) on June 6 and Qatar (away) on

'The match against Kuwait is my last': Sunil Chhetri announces retirement

Sunil Chhetri ranks third among active players in the list of international goal scorers, trailing behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

Sunil Chhetri, Indian football's brightest spot, to hang up his boots

The icon has announced his retirement; game against Kuwait on June 6 will be his last

Kartik Aaryan joins the Bundesliga Dream India Project as an ambassador

Actor Kartik Aaryan turns ambassador for Bundesliga Dream project. This initiative will select multiple squads for U-13 and U-15 players to travel to Germany for an immersive training camp experience

Manchester United-supported five-a-side event to be played in India

The second edition of 'Road to Old Trafford', a five-a-side football competition, supported by English football giant Manchester United, will be held across India, with the Chennai leg to be held on April 6. Footballers will earn themselves a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel to Manchester, England, for an all-expenses paid trip and play at United's home ground in Old Trafford, a press release said here on Monday. The grand finale of the event will also happen at the 'Theatre of Dreams' (United's Old Trafford home ground) on May 31. The second edition has a bigger format, with the initial round happening in six cities - Delhi, Pune, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai and Kochi, the release said. The city leg winners will face off in the national finale, also being played here on Sunday (April 7). The previous edition of the tournament (in 2023) was won by Mumbai-based Kalina Rangers, also the champion of the competition's India leg. 'Road to Old Trafford' initiative by Apollo Tyr

AFC Asian Cup: India knocked after losing 0-1 to Syria in last group match

India crashed out of the Asian Cup football tournament after suffering a 0-1 defeat to Syria in their last group match here on Tuesday. Substitute Omar Khrbin scored the all-important goal in the 76th minute to keep Syria in contention for a knockout round berth. India finished at the bottom of the four-team Group B after losing all their three matches without scoring any goal. India had also failed to make it to the knockout round in 1984, 2011 and 2019 editions of the tournament. The country had finished runner-up in 1964 when only four teams took part in the continental tournament.

Mario Zagallo, World Cup winning player, coach for Brazil, dies at age 92

Mario Zagallo, who won two World Cups as a player, one as a coach and another as an assistant coach for Brazil, has died. He was 92. The first person to win the World Cup both as a player and a manager, Zagallo is for many Brazilian soccer fans synonymous with patriotism, grit and glory. Brazilian soccer confederation president Ednaldo Rodrigues said in a statement in the early hours of Saturday confirming Zagallo's death that Zagallo is one of the biggest legends of the sport. No cause of death was released by the federation or his family. We offer solidarity to his family members and fans in this moment of grief for the departure of this great hero of our soccer, Rodrigues said. Several Brazilian clubs where Zagallo played and coached also expressed their sorrow for his death. Zagallo's social media channels called him a dedicated father, a loving grandfather, a caring father-in-law, a loyal friend, a victorious professional and a great human being. A gigantic hero. A patriot t

AIFF sacks secretary general Shaji Prabhakaran due to breach of interest

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Wednesday announced that it has sacked secretary general Shaji Prabhakaran due to "breach of trust". Prabhakaran's sacking comes 14 months after his appointment to the high-profile job even as the national federation did not mention what the breach of trust was that prompted the action. "The All India Football Federation hereby announces that the services of Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran have been terminated due to breach of trust with immediate effect as of November 7, 2023," the AIFF statement read. "The AIFF Deputy Secretary, Mr M Satyanarayan, will take charge as Acting Secretary General of AIFF with immediate effect," the statement added. AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey served the termination letter on Tuesday to Prabhakaran, who was appointed on September 3 in 2022 and took charge on September 6. Prabhakaran has not yet reacted to the development but is expected to give his version soon. AIFF vice-president NA Haris told PTI that even the A

22-member Indian squad announced for Round 2 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifiers

Indian Women's Team head coach Thomas Dennerby has announced the 22-member squad that will travel to Uzbekistan for the Round 2 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifiers.