Indian Football

Karan Yadav named ISL CEO as league moves towards club-based model

The Indian Super League (ISL) appointed Karan Yadav as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as it operates under a new club-led model. Yadav has most recently served as Chief Commercial Officer at JSW Sports, where he led a 300-plus crore P&L across sports franchises, talent management and brand consulting. As CEO, Yadav will lead the League Office and the strategic, commercial and organisational direction of the ISL, working closely with the League's clubs and the All India Football Federation (AIFF). His mandate will include shaping the League's overall strategy and commercial direction, strengthening relationships with clubs, broadcasters, sponsors and other stakeholders, while building a high-performing League Office that supports the long-term growth and sustainability of the competition. The model also creates greater opportunity for alignment between the League Office and clubs across commercial strategy, partnerships, broadcast, fan engagement and the development of the ...

Ranjit Bajaj moves court seeking early AIFF polls amid election delay

Football administrator and entrepreneur Ranjit Bajaj has moved the court seeking directions to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to immediately notify the schedule for elections to its Executive Committee and complete the process within a time-bound period. In his writ petition, Bajaj has sought a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate direction requiring the AIFF to conduct its elections strictly in accordance with its Constitution and the National Sports Governance Act, 2025. Bajaj has also sought directions for completion of the entire electoral process, including declaration of results, within a timeframe to be fixed by the court. The petitioner has further sought an interim restraint on the present AIFF Executive Committee from taking policy decisions or decisions having long-term, financial or otherwise irreversible consequences in relation to the federation's affairs until the elections are completed. The petition also seeks any other order that the court may deem

Indian Football League 2026-27 season set to begin on October 30, says AIFF

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Tuesday said that the 2026-27 Indian Football League (IFL) season will commence on October 30, after meeting with representatives of all 11 participating clubs. The meeting reviewed the 2025-26 season, noting that viewership figures and overall broadcast performance were hugely encouraging, surging to four times higher than the 2024-25 campaign. As part of regulatory updates for the upcoming season, the Council approved a rule permitting a maximum of three foreign players on the pitch at a time during matches. The league's footprint will also expand with the inclusion of Nagaland and Odisha as new venues. Additionally, the IFL Charter, proposed budget, and sponsorship packages for the new season came under detailed discussion. AIFF Deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan described the gathering as a very cordial meeting. "Last season, despite being a truncated campaign, the league generated a lot of interest, and the viewership figures w

India return to AFC U20 Asian Cup after 20 years with 3-0 win vs BAN

India qualified for the AFC U20 Asian Cup main tournament for the first time in 20 years after a commanding 3-0 win over Bangladesh in their final group match of the qualifying event here on Sunday. The win, their second in the qualifiers, took India to six points from three matches. They had to wait for the result of Syria vs Uzbekistan match played later on Sunday to know their fate. With Syria losing 0-3 to Uzbekistan, India finished second in Group B and qualified for the AFC U20 Asian Cup main tournament after 20 years as one of the seven best runners-up teams across the eight groups. India last played in the AFC U20 Asian Cup main tournament in 2006. Uzbekistan also qualified as group toppers with nine points. Syria finished third with three points, and bottom-placed Bangladesh were relegated to the Development Phase after losing all three games. The main tournament will be held in China from March 24 to April 10, 2027. Danny Meitei Laishram opened the scoring in the 25th min

Rankings don't matter, says Brazil legend Cafu ahead of IND vs BRA friendly

Brazil are currently ranked fifth in the world, while India are 138th, making the Kolkata fixture the highest-ranked opposition the Indian team has faced since the FIFA World Rankings were introduced

Here's why AIFF has preponed India vs Panama football match in Bengaluru

The match was originally scheduled for September 26, as part of India's three-match friendly series against South American teams, including Brazil and Uruguay

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.