Indian Football

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

Sports@2025: Of crowns, cracks and goodbyes that shaped the sporting year

Landmark wins, uneasy moments and defining exits shaped the sporting year

AIFF's new policy for players; why PIO and OCI don't play for India

India's sports policy, established by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in 2008, mandates that only Indian citizens can represent the nation internationally

CAFA Nations Cup 2025: Anwar, Sandesh score as India beat Tajikistan 2-1

The Indian players acknowledged their rustiness but expressed determination to build from this positive result ahead of their next match against Iran

No Indian player matches Sunil Chhetri's quality yet: Coach Jamil

Even at 41, there is no better player in the country than talisman Sunil Chhetri in terms of quality and he will be in the national team as long as he is available, new India head coach Khalid Jamil said on Monday. Chhetri was left out by Jamil from the national camp for the CAFA Nations Cup beginning August 29, saying it was just a preparatory tournament for the crucial Asian Cup qualifiers matches in October. He made it clear that Chhetri will walk into the national team against Singapore on October 9 (away) and October 14 (home). "There is no better quality player in India than him. So, when he is available, why not? We need his experience. He is a legend and he has given so much to the nation for so many years," Jamil told PTI from Bengaluru where he addressed his first press conference as India head coach. Chhetri took international retirement after playing against Kuwait in June last year but made a comeback for national duty in the match against Maldives in March this year ..

Durand Cup 2025 HIGHLIGHTS, Diamond Harbour FC vs East Bengal FC semis: DHFC in final with 2-1 win

Despite having lesser possession, Diamond Harbour go through to the final as they were the clinical side on the night.

Durand Cup 2025 HIGHLIGHTS, Shillong Lajong vs NorthEast United semis: NEUFC win 1-0, reach final

Shillong Lajong vs NorthEast United HIGHLIGHTS: Redeem's 35th minute goal does the trick for the Highlanders who have booked their 2nd consecutive final berth tonight.

SC to hear plea in AIFF-FSDL dispute over ISL clubs' contract renewals

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear on August 22 a matter involving a row between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and FSDL over the fate of 11 Indian Super League (ISL) clubs due to the non-renewal of their contracts with the national federation and the tournament's organisers. The 11 ISL clubs have warned the AIFF that they "face the real possibility of shutting down entirely" if the ongoing impasse regarding the future of the top-tier domestic competition is not resolved soon. A bench of Justices P S Narasimha and A S Chandurkar agreed to hear the plea after amicus curiae and senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan submitted that during the tenure of the contract, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) has to honour it by conducting the ISL. "If it does not, the AIFF should be directed to terminate the contract and float a tender. Otherwise the players suffer and after repeated non-payment, we can be sanctioned by the FIFA," Sankaranarayanan said. The bench sai

Durand Cup 2025 semi-finals schedule, live match time and streaming

With fierce regional pride and a place in the Durand Cup final at stake, fans can expect high-octane football on both nights.

Dalima Chhibber: Indian women's team is on track to qualify for World Cup

Chuffed about Indian women football team's qualification for the AFC Asian Cup, defender Dalima Chhibber on Tuesday said the side will enter the continental tournament with an aim to secure a historic berth in the FIFA World Cup. Dalima expressed confidence that the Indian team, comprising fine players like Pyari Xaxa and Sangita Basfore, can punch above its weight to script history. "It means everything to us and we have qualified because of our abilities," Dalima said during the launch of the Subroto Cup school football tournament. She attended the occasion as Guest of Honour. "We are heading towards a golden future. Recently, our U20 team also qualified for the Asian Cup. It is a sport that every country plays, we are taking steps in the right direction and it is a matter of time that we achieve success and qualify for the FIFA World Cup," Dalima added. Dalima, who plays as a defender, last appeared for India in 2024, shared her thoughts on India's historic qualification for the