News for '-fifa'

'Welcome to the White House': US President Donald Trump Celebrates Lionel Messi

'Welcome to the White House': US President Donald Trump Celebrates Lionel Messi

Rediff.com6 Mar 2026

US President Donald Trump welcomed Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami team to the White House on Thursday as he boasted about the United States' ongoing operation in Iran.

Champions League: Vinicius Jr scores winner as Real Madrid edge Benfica in racism-marred match

Champions League: Vinicius Jr scores winner as Real Madrid edge Benfica in racism-marred match

Rediff.com18 Feb 2026

Vinicius Jr scored a sublime second-half winner as Real Madrid beat Benfica 1-0 in their Champions League playoff first leg on Tuesday, which was halted for 11 match under FIFA's anti-racism protocol.

Top seeds to be kept apart in FIFA World Cup '26 draw

Top seeds to be kept apart in FIFA World Cup '26 draw

Rediff.com26 Nov 2025

Spain cannot meet Argentina and France will not face England before the World Cup final - provided they win their groups - after FIFA on Tuesday announced the draw procedure.

India Women's Team Crushed by Japan in AFC Asian Cup Clash

India Women's Team Crushed by Japan in AFC Asian Cup Clash

Rediff.com7 Mar 2026

India's women's football team suffered a heavy 0-11 defeat against Japan in their second group match of the AFC Women's Asian Cup. Despite the loss, India still has a chance to qualify for the quarter-finals if they beat Chinese Taipei in their final group match.

Champions League, Real Madrid vs Benfica: Mbappe wants Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni banned for racism

Champions League, Real Madrid vs Benfica: Mbappe wants Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni banned for racism

Rediff.com18 Feb 2026

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe said Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni should be banned from the Champions League after the Argentine was accused of directing a racist slur at Vinicius Jr.

Football games postponed in Mexico after cartel leader's death sparks violence

Football games postponed in Mexico after cartel leader's death sparks violence

Rediff.com23 Feb 2026

Several soccer games in Mexico were postponed due to violence following a military operation and the reported death of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, alias "El Mencho."

Champions League: Benfica's Prestianni Suspended For Real Madrid Match Over Racism Allegations

Champions League: Benfica's Prestianni Suspended For Real Madrid Match Over Racism Allegations

Rediff.com23 Feb 2026

UEFA has provisionally suspended Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni for one match following allegations of a racist slur directed at Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr. during a Champions League match.

Record 500 million ticket demand for 2026 WC

Record 500 million ticket demand for 2026 WC

Rediff.com15 Jan 2026

Beyond the three host nations, the highest number of applications came from Germany, England, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Argentina and Colombia.

FIFA says, will help Gaza rebuild football infrastructure

FIFA says, will help Gaza rebuild football infrastructure

Rediff.com14 Oct 2025

'Football's role has to be to support, to unite, to give hope.'

T20 World Cup: Jasprit Bumrah Unlikely To Be Rested For Netherlands Match

T20 World Cup: Jasprit Bumrah Unlikely To Be Rested For Netherlands Match

Rediff.com17 Feb 2026

India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak indicated that Jasprit Bumrah is unlikely to be rested for the final Group A match against the Netherlands, despite India having already qualified for the Super 8 stage.

Santosh Trophy: Services, Kerala storm into semis

Santosh Trophy: Services, Kerala storm into semis

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

Kerala, Punjab, Services and Railways enter semifinals of Santosh Trophy

MLS Kicks Off Pivotal Season With Messi, Son In Spotlight

MLS Kicks Off Pivotal Season With Messi, Son In Spotlight

Rediff.com21 Feb 2026

MLS begins a transformative season with Lionel Messi, Son Heung-min and record transfers as North America prepares to host the World Cup.

Pamela Conti named new head coach of Indian U-17 women's team

Pamela Conti named new head coach of Indian U-17 women's team

Rediff.com25 Jan 2026

Former Italy international Pamela Conti was on Sunday named head coach of the Indian women's U-17 team to take charge of the country's AFC Asian Cup campaign later this year, second such appointment of a national side this month made by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

MLS Eyes Defining Year Amid World Cup, Messi Mania

MLS Eyes Defining Year Amid World Cup, Messi Mania

Rediff.com20 Feb 2026

MLS enters its 31st season amid World Cup buzz and Lionel Messi's impact, with Don Garber calling it a defining moment for the league's future.

Cristiano Ronaldo Birthday Special: Age, Stats, Goals and Net Worth Details

Cristiano Ronaldo Birthday Special: Age, Stats, Goals and Net Worth Details

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo birthday special coverage: Check Cristiano Ronaldo age, stats, total goals, career records, trophies and net worth details.

Algeria qualify for 2026 FIFA World Cup

Algeria qualify for 2026 FIFA World Cup

Rediff.com10 Oct 2025

This is the fifth time that the Algerians will be at the World Cup

FIFA rankings: India's downward spiral continues!

FIFA rankings: India's downward spiral continues!

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

Out of Asian Cup contention, Indian men's football team drops two places to 136 in FIFA rankings

The Smallest Nation To Qualify For FIFA World Cup

The Smallest Nation To Qualify For FIFA World Cup

Rediff.com19 Nov 2025

With a population of 156,000, Curacao is the least populous country to go to the World Cup, beating the previous record held by Iceland with its 350,000 inhabitants.

World Football's Biggest Earners Revealed!

World Football's Biggest Earners Revealed!

Rediff.com22 Jan 2026

Real Madrid are football's biggest earners, Liverpool best in Premier League

T20 World Cup: Italy begin maiden campaign against Scotland

T20 World Cup: Italy begin maiden campaign against Scotland

Rediff.com8 Feb 2026

Football giants Italy begin cricket World Cup's maiden campaign against Scotland

SC clears AIFF draft, spares Indian football FIFA ban

SC clears AIFF draft, spares Indian football FIFA ban

Rediff.com19 Sep 2025

The ruling means no fresh elections will be held, a move vital for Indian football since a mid-term poll could have triggered FIFA's wrath and another suspension for "third-party interference."

Big names, new faces: Who's confirmed for FIFA World Cup 2026

Big names, new faces: Who's confirmed for FIFA World Cup 2026

Rediff.com19 Nov 2025

The teams that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, to be hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.

Curacao's World Cup qualification sparks India football debate in RS

Curacao's World Cup qualification sparks India football debate in RS

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

India's footballing future was discussed in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday by Congress member Jose K Mani, as he cited tiny Dutch-Caribbean island Curacao's World Cup qualification to ask Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya about the long-term plan for sport in the country that is on a downward spiral.

Amelia Valverde appointed head coach of Indian women's football team

Amelia Valverde appointed head coach of Indian women's football team

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

Amelia Valverde named coach of Indian senior women's football team

Which Countries Are Heading to the FIFA World Cup 2026?

Which Countries Are Heading to the FIFA World Cup 2026?

Rediff.com9 Oct 2025

The following is a list of teams that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.

Former Arsenal footballer drags FIFA to court again

Former Arsenal footballer drags FIFA to court again

Rediff.com18 Aug 2025

World soccer body hit with $76m claim by Frenchman Lassana Diarra in decade-long transfer rules case

FIFA mulls 64-team format for 2030 centenary World Cup?

FIFA mulls 64-team format for 2030 centenary World Cup?

Rediff.com25 Sep 2025

Should FIFA approve the 64-team format, it would be a one-off birthday bash, with the tournament expected to shrink back to 48 in 2034.

Ruthless England storm into FIFA 2026 World Cup

Ruthless England storm into FIFA 2026 World Cup

Rediff.com15 Oct 2025

England booked their place in next year's World Cup finals as captain Harry Kane scored twice in a 5-0 romp away to Latvia on Tuesday to ensure they will win qualifying Group K.

FIFA ban fear: Bhutia calls for Indian reboot under Jamil

FIFA ban fear: Bhutia calls for Indian reboot under Jamil

Rediff.com12 Sep 2025

'Khalid will have to begin with consistency and with new players and good strikers from U-23 because he has to build for the future.'

2026 FIFA World Cup draw to be held at Kennedy Center

2026 FIFA World Cup draw to be held at Kennedy Center

Rediff.com23 Aug 2025

FIFA boss Infantino also presented President Trump with the very first ticket to the tournament's grand finale.

Beat the heat! 2026 World Cup to have hydration breaks

Beat the heat! 2026 World Cup to have hydration breaks

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

World Cup matches to have mandatory hydration breaks in each half

'Shame on us': John Abraham backs beleaguered ISL players

'Shame on us': John Abraham backs beleaguered ISL players

Rediff.com4 Jan 2026

Reacting to the developments on his official X handle, John Abraham expressed disappointment at how things have unfolded.

AIFF charts 21-year roadmap for ISL, I-League

AIFF charts 21-year roadmap for ISL, I-League

Rediff.com14 Jan 2026

As per a proposal by stakeholders, the 22-member governing council is likely to be headed by either the president of the AIFF, and it will be the highest supervisor body for the ISL.

Flawless Morocco qualify for FIFA World Cup

Flawless Morocco qualify for FIFA World Cup

Rediff.com6 Sep 2025

Meanwhile, Egypt and South Africa also took significant steps towards following the Atlas Lions, moving closer to featuring in the marquee event, which will be played across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Trump show from start to finish at World Cup 2026 draw

Trump show from start to finish at World Cup 2026 draw

Rediff.com6 Dec 2025

US President Donald Trump, who has campaigned aggressively this year for a Nobel Peace Prize, was given FIFA's inaugural peace prize for his efforts to promote dialogue and de-escalation in some of the world's biggest hotspots.

Vinicius Jr silences critics as Real Madrid rout Monaco

Vinicius Jr silences critics as Real Madrid rout Monaco

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

'The only thing I can do is on the pitch -- to give my all. I won't always be technically perfect, but I will always give 100% for the team.'

FIFA's big move to fix ailing Indian football!

FIFA's big move to fix ailing Indian football!

Rediff.com2 Aug 2025

FIFA on Saturday launched its first talent academy for youngsters in India in collaboration with the All India Football Federation (AIFF), aiming to provide advanced training to talented footballers in the country.

Real Madrid down Betis as Garcia tricks

Real Madrid down Betis as Garcia tricks

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

Real Madrid now have 45 points from 19 matches, second behind defending champions Barcelona.

UAE on cusp on FIFA World Cup spot; Iraq on course

UAE on cusp on FIFA World Cup spot; Iraq on course

Rediff.com12 Oct 2025

Japan, South Korea, Australia, Iran, Uzbekistan and Jordan have already taken six of Asia's eight guaranteed spots at next year's 48-team World Cup.

Norway rout Italy, qualify for 2026 FIFA World Cup

Norway rout Italy, qualify for 2026 FIFA World Cup

Rediff.com17 Nov 2025

Norway registered a thumping 4-1 win as Italy, who have missed out on the last two editions of the World Cup, were condemned to the playoffs.