Ali starred for Delhi FC in the Durand Cup and in the I-League Qualifiers in 2021 where he finished as the top scorer for his side that paved his ISL entry with FC Goa, where he spent 15 months.
While the Indian women's football team holds the 60th position in the FIFA rankings, the men's team ranks 100.
India now play Bangladesh in the summit clash on Sunday.
India produced a dominant display to beat Maldives 2-0 and book a semifinal spot in the South Asian Football Federation Cup, in Dhaka, on Sunday.
The 2023 Club World Cup will take place in Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah, soccer's world governing body FIFA said on Monday.
The Indian women's football team continued its rampaging form to thrash Sri Lanka 7-0 and book a berth in the semi-finals of the SAFF Women's championship in Cox Bazar, Bangladesh.
A less-than-impressive India scored in the dying moments to beat Afghanistan 1-0 and begin their SAFF Championships on a winning note in Dhaka on Saturday.
Inspirational Indian football team captain Sunil Chhetri on Thursday attributed the country's SAFF Championships triumph to the fighting spirit of the team
Stressing there isn't any room for slip-ups, Clifford Miranda speaks at length about the team's plan in the SAFF Championship.
Both the teams are unbeaten in the SAFF tournament while their group match also ended in a 1-1 draw.
Sandesh Jhingan, upon his arrival at the airport in Doha, said, 'No group in the Asian Cup is easy. Of course, we've got Australia, and they need no introduction. But what we have learned in the last few years is that we must never fear any opposition.'
The national football team is currently ranked 18th in Asia and the sports ministry's rule states that in team sport, only those in top-eight will get the nod.
The Indian U-16 national football team kicked off its campaign in the SAFF U-16 Championship in style drubbing 10-man Sri Lanka 4-1 in its Group B opener at the Army Ground in Kathmandu on Sunday.
Young Manipuri forward Sushil Kumar Singh, defender Anwar Ali and midfielder Kuttimani figure in India's 20-member squad for the June 3-14 SAFF Cup football tournament in Maldives and Sri Lanka. All the 17 players that featured in India's historic Nehru Cup triumph last August and the subsequent World Cup qualifier in October were retained.
'Clifford did well to win the Super Cup for Odisha FC, and I'm sure we can expect a good performance from the Indian team.'
Defending his actions, Stimac stated that he would not hesitate to do it again in order to protect his players
'I just wanted to...bring attention to what's happening in Manipur...to urge everyone in India and Manipur to embrace peace and avoid conflicts.'
All India Football Federation (AIFF) appealed to the Sports Ministry, leading to this favorable decision.
India thrashed Nepal 4-1 at the Trivandrum International Stadium, in Kerala, on Sunday, to finish on top of Group A and seal a place in the semi-finals.
Afghanistan beat hosts Nepal by a solitary goal to enter the summit clash of the SAFF Football Championship, in Kathmandu on Sunday.
'Just like I do on football, I will try my best.'
India beat Maldives 1-0 on Monday to make the SAFF Cup final for a record ninth time.
Lallianzuala Chhangte was named the AIFF Men's Footballer of the Year, on the back of his impressive performance in the Indian Super League (ISL) and for the national team.
Defending champions India dished out yet another lacklustre performance to go down 1-2 against hosts Nepal but still managed to sail through to the semi-finals of the SAFF Football Championships in Kathmandu on Thursday.
Defending champions India dished out a listless performance but still managed to beat arch-rivals Pakistan 1-0 in the opening game of the SAFF Football Championship in Kathmandu on Sunday.
Chhetri also added that India will rely more on teamwork than individual flair to give a tough fight to their rivals.
'The PCB will share the report with the ICC and BCCI if the delegation has any concerns.'
Chhetri is 38 but still continues to be the spearhead of Indian attack
The Indian men's team currently occupies the 18th spot among countries under the Asian Football Confederation, while the women's side is ranked 11th.
Indian football team head coach Igor Stimac has expressed his displeasure over his wards losing possession of the ball at crucial junctures of a game.
India captain Sunil Chhetri on Saturday said that he is "fossilized" and the country may not find his exact replacement.
Sports Ministry clears participation of Indian men's and women's football teams in Asian Games
Sunil Chhetri will be the cynosure of all eyes as the Blue Tigers look to regain the Intercontinental Cup
Sunil Chhetri defies age and conditions to produce a masterclass
India will start as favourites against Maldives in the summit clash of the South Asian Football Federation Cup, in Dhaka, on Saturday.
FIFA will carry out a feasibility study on holding the World Cup and the women's World Cup every two years after backing a proposal at its annual congress on Friday.
New AIFF boss focuses on grassroots and youth development than hosting big events.
Sunil Chhetri, playing in his 121st international in the SAFF Championship, struck in the 27th minute to place himself just a goal shy of legendary Brazillian Pele (77 goals from 92 matches).
The World Cup referee given a life ban in his homeland Saudi Arabia this month for a match-fixing attempt
Seven-time champions India were held to a goalless draw by 205th ranked Sri Lanka despite a dominant display in their second SAFF Championships match, in Male, on Thursday.