Indian Football

How fans can watch India's football matches vs Brazil, Panama and Uruguay

India will first face Panama at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru before travelling to Kolkata for back-to-back fixtures against Brazil and Uruguay on October 3 and 6

Here's why Jamil doesn't want the return of Chhetri in India national side

Jamil also stressed that players would have to take greater responsibility on the field, while acknowledging that the pressure would increase as the team prepares for important assignments

FC Bengaluru United reappoint Mohanraj as head coach ahead of new campaign

FC Bengaluru United on Tuesday reappointed Nallappan Mohanraj as their head coach ahead of the 2026-27 domestic season. The reappointment comes on the back of Mohanraj leading FCBU to qualification to the Indian Football League. His first assignment this season will be the BDFA Super Division League, following which he will guide the team in its maiden Indian Football League campaign. This is Mohanraj's third stint as head coach of FCBU. "I'm very pleased to continue with FC Bengaluru United and to be part of this next chapter. Qualifying for the IFL was a special achievement, but the work does not stop there. "I'm looking forward to building on what we have achieved and continuing to develop the team and the players," said Mohanraj, a former India, Mohun Bagan, ATK and Chennaiyin FC player.

3.41 lakh registered football players, 16,295 coaches in India: AIFF

India has 3,41,862 registered football players, 16,295 coaches and 3,347 referees, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has told the Central Information Commission (CIC). The figures were furnished by the football federation in response to an RTI application seeking the number of registered players, coaches and referees in India for the 2015-25 period. The application also sought details of the club-wise number of injuries reported by Indian Super League (ISL) clubs during FIFA international windows in 2024 and 2025. It sought information on the achieved and unachieved goals under the AIFF Lakshya 2022 document, Target 2026 and AIFF Strategic Target 2019-22, along with reasons for failure to achieve the objectives and steps taken to meet the unachieved targets. The application also sought details of initiatives taken by the federation for the development of youth and women's football, plans for the senior women's national team ahead of the AFC Women's Asian Cup, and the priorit

Durand Cup 2026: Mohun Bagan and SC Delhi storm into quarterfinals

Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Sporting Club Delhi stormed into the quarterfinals of the 135th Durand Cup with commanding wins over their respective opponents on Monday. In Kolkata, MBSG thrashed CISF Protectors 6-0 in a Group A match to make it to the last-eight stage. Sahal Abdul Samad was the star of the show, scoring a first-half hat-trick (17th, 19th, 37th), while Manvir Singh (24th), Jamie Maclaren (68th) and Tekcham Abhishek Singh (73rd) also found the scoresheet. The victory saw Mohun Bagan finish top of Group A with a perfect nine points, while CISF Protectors exited the tournament without a point. In Ranchi, SC Delhi outclassed Indian Air Force 7-1 to reach the knockout stage from Group C. Already assured of a quarterfinal berth after winning their opening two games, Mohun Bagan showed their attacking intent from the outset, although the CISF defence held firm during the opening exchanges. The resistance ended when Dejan Drazic released Tekcham with a superb pass from insi

Jamshedpur FC assures player contracts will be honoured after ISL exit

Tata Steel has assured that Jamshedpur FC will honour all existing player contracts and help footballers find new clubs after withdrawing from the Indian Super League (ISL). Vice President (Corporate Services) D B Sundara Raman said the club had communicated its decision transparently to the players before making it public and would ensure that no player or staff member will suffer because of the move. "We have given both options to the players. If someone wants to join another club, we will facilitate that. If someone is not picked up, then whatever contractual commitments we have made will be honoured," Sundara Raman told PTI on Tuesday. The announcement has prompted several Jamshedpur FC players to appeal on social media for the club's decision to be reconsidered. Sundara Raman acknowledged the emotional response but said the players had been informed before the official announcement. "Our CEO, Mukul Choudhari, first spoke to all the players and communicated the decision. We di

Mankind Pharma partners with Minerva Academy after Gothia Cup 2026 success

As part of the partnership, Mankind Pharma branding will appear on the jerseys of three Minerva Academy age-group teams throughout the year during competitions in India and overseas

Special Olympics Bharat chases historic Gothia Cup hat-trick in Sweden

Back-to-back champions Special Olympics Bharat head to Gothenburg aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive Gothia Special Olympics Trophy

India to play two friendlies in first-ever football tour of New Zealand

The Indian men's football team will make its first-ever tour of New Zealand when they travel there for two international friendlies against the hosts on November 12 and 15 during the FIFA international match window, the national federation announced on Saturday. The tour will also mark India's first visit to an Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) member nation since 2005, when it played two international friendlies against Fiji. The first match will take place at the Go Media Stadium in Auckland, while the second will be held at the One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch. The matches were announced as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to New Zealand and will be among a series of sporting events marking '100 Years of Unity Through Sport' between the two nations. India and New Zealand have faced each other on two previous occasions -- a goalless draw in the 1981 Merdeka Tournament in Malaysia and a 2-1 victory for the visitors in the 2018 Intercontinental Cup in Mumbai.

The Power and the Glory: Geopolitics, FIFA and the beautiful game

Jonathan Wilson's The Power and the Glory traces how the FIFA World Cup evolved from a football tournament into a global stage for power, politics and profit

Zee's Fifa bet: Can football deliver returns in cricket-dominated India?

Football remains a niche sport in India compared to cricket; yet, Zee believes Fifa can help build Zee5, strengthen its sports channels and attract premium advertisers over the next decade

Meet Sarpreet Singh, New Zealand's Indian-Origin player at FIFA WC 2026

Born and raised in Auckland, Singh's family roots trace back to Jalandhar in Punjab, making his World Cup appearance a proud moment for football fans of Indian origin around the globe.

How football quietly became India's second sporting obsession among youth

New audience research released by global leader in audience measurement and data analytics, Nielsen highlights the growing popularity of football in India, where the sport ranks just behind cricket.

Why Mohun Bagan pulled players from India camp ahead of Unity Cup?

The list included Vishal Kaith, Abhishek Singh Tekcham, Ashique Kuruniyan, Sahal Abdul Samad, Anirudh Thapa, Manvir Singh, Liston Colaco and Suhail Ahmad Bhat.

AIFF set to discuss constitution changes, ISL commercial partner at key SGM

All India Football Federation (AIFF) will seek to amend its constitution in line with the National Sports Governance Act and hold discussions on the new commercial partner of the Indian Super League during its Special General Body Meeting here on Saturday. Each member association of the AIFF can send one representative. Members of the AIFF Executive Committee cannot vote and they cannot also represent the associations to which they belong. "Amendment and adoption of AIFF Constitution in line with National Sports Governance Act 2025. Commercial partners for Indian Super League, Indian Women's League and Super League (Cup)," said a few agenda items of the SGM in a notice issued on May 6. AIFF's executive committee member Valanka Alemao had objected to the SGM being convened, saying it could potentially flout its constitution, leading to contempt of the Supreme Court. She urged that the AIFF should first constitute the associations for players, coaches and referees to elect their ...

AIFF's Big Bet: Why the Genius Sports deal could be a game-changer for ISL

With the Reliance-backed entity (FSDL) stepping away, AIFF may have found a new long-term commercial powerhouse in Genius Sports.

Why Indian broadcasters hesitant to buy FIFA WC 2026, 2030 media rights?

JioStar, the current rights holder, is understood to value the rights at roughly $25 million for both editions.

ISL 2025/26: FC Goa hold 10-men Punjab to a 1-1 draw away from home

Punjab's persistent pressure finally paid off in the 27th minute. Midfielder Kipgen delivered a perfectly weighted through ball into the box for Effiong, who got the breakthrough for Punjab.

ISL 25/26: Bengaluru FC hold Mohun Bagan Super Giant to goalless draw

Bengaluru FC held league leaders Mohun Bagan Super Giant to a goalless draw in an Indian Super League match here on Saturday. Despite Mohun Bagan enjoying the majority of possession and creating numerous chances, Bengaluru FC produced a resolute defensive performance to become the first team this season to take points off the Mariners. Mohun Bagan remain at the top of the table with 13 points, while Bengaluru FC move to sixth with eight points. Dimitri Petratos was adjudged the Player of the Match. The contest began at a lively tempo with the Blues applying early pressure. Ryan Williams tested Vishal Kaith in just the second minute, forcing the Mohun Bagan goalkeeper into a low save after being set up by right-back Roshan Singh. Mohun Bagan responded soon after. Maclaren's effort from the left side of the box was well saved by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in the eighth minute, while midfielder Dimitri Petratos fired narrowly wide from distance a minute later. The Mariners gradually sett

All India Football Federation signs MoU with Ryan Group of Institutions

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ryan Group of Institutions to introduce structured football and futsal programmes across the group's schools. Under this partnership, AIFF will provide comprehensive technical support including designing grassroots football and futsal frameworks, delivering standardised coaching curricula and session plans, conducting grassroots leader courses and safeguarding training for school staff. Ryan Group of Institutions will, on the other hand, offer education for the players in the AIFF TDS centres in Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar. This initiative places special emphasis on the development of school futsal and girls' football, two critical areas for growing the sport at the grassroots level. The partnership will create dedicated programmes and competitions in futsal, making the sport more accessible within school environments, while also establishing structured pathways to encourage and support femal