News for 'AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers'

Holders Qatar to host delayed Asian Cup as Gulf influence grows

Holders Qatar to host delayed Asian Cup as Gulf influence grows

Rediff.com8 Jan 2024

Qatar returns to the spotlight on Friday little more than a year after the first World Cup held in the Arab world when the relocated and delayed 2023 Asian Cup gets underway amid a seismic shift in football's global order.

India U20 face Pakistan in crucial SAFF Championship match

India U20 face Pakistan in crucial SAFF Championship match

Rediff.com26 Mar 2026

India U20 team prepares to face Pakistan in their opening match of the SAFF U20 Championship, aiming for a strong start and a place in the semifinals.

Jhingan undergoes surgery for cheekbone fracture

Jhingan undergoes surgery for cheekbone fracture

Rediff.com5 Sep 2025

The AIFF said in a statement that Jhingan "is under expert medical care in Goa, and his recovery and rehabilitation are being closely monitored"

From Bad To Worse: How Indian Football Fared In 2025

From Bad To Worse: How Indian Football Fared In 2025

Rediff.com21 Dec 2025

Indian football remained in a state of terminal decline after experiencing arguably its darkest phase in a year marked by severe administrative crisis, court hearings, financial issues, absence of domestic leagues, and a steep decline in performance of the senior men's team.

It's official! Khalid Jamil to lead India for 2 years

It's official! Khalid Jamil to lead India for 2 years

Rediff.com13 Aug 2025

The AIFF said Jamil has signed the contract after parting ways with ISL team Jamshedpur FC.

Stimac sets World Cup qualification target, vows to resign if India fails

Stimac sets World Cup qualification target, vows to resign if India fails

Rediff.com25 Mar 2024

Stimac has prioritised qualification to the third round and secure a direct entry into the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

India win AFC Challenge Cup

India win AFC Challenge Cup

Rediff.com13 Aug 2008

Riding on a Sunil Chhetri hat-trick, India on Wednesday thrashed defending champions Tajikistan 4-1 in the final of AFC Challenge Cup football tournament and qualified for the Asian Cup after a hiatus of 24 years.

'The door is always open for Chhetri'

'The door is always open for Chhetri'

Rediff.com17 Aug 2025

Newly appointed India head coach Khalid Jamil on Sunday cleared the air about the leaving out of talismanic striker Sunil Chhetri from the CAFA Nations Cup national camp, saying it was just a preparatory tournament for the crucial Asian Cup qualifying round matches in October.

Iran refuses to play FIFA World Cup in US; wants games moved to Mexico

Iran refuses to play FIFA World Cup in US; wants games moved to Mexico

Rediff.com17 Mar 2026

Iran's football federation is in discussions with FIFA about moving their World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico due to concerns about the safety of their players, Iranian football president Mehdi Taj said.

AFC rejects direct ACL 2 entry for ISL clubs this season

AFC rejects direct ACL 2 entry for ISL clubs this season

Rediff.com15 Jan 2026

'With the exception of any additional slot(s) allocated to a Member Association in accordance with Articles 3.4 and 3.5, Member Associations that fail to fulfil the Member Association Eligibility Criteria shall, subject to Article 4.4, be eligible to be allocated only indirect slots for the relevant AFC Club Competition.'

Kashmir's Suhail earns India call-up for Thailand friendly

Kashmir's Suhail earns India call-up for Thailand friendly

Rediff.com28 May 2025

The squad announcement also marks the return of East Bengal's dependable central defender Anwar Ali, who had been sidelined since February due to a hamstring injury. He last featured in competitive action against Bengaluru FC in the ISL.

Football: Asia's World Cup qualifiers postponed to 2021

Football: Asia's World Cup qualifiers postponed to 2021

Rediff.com12 Aug 2020

Southampton confirmed that they had signed 23-year-old Walker-Peters, who spent the second half of last season on loan at the club. British media put the fee at 12 million pounds.

Hosts India forced to withdraw from Women's Asian Cup

Hosts India forced to withdraw from Women's Asian Cup

Rediff.com24 Jan 2022

Women's Asian Cup hosts India are "considered to have withdrawn" from the tournament in accordance with competition rules after a COVID-19 outbreak forced their match against Taiwan to be cancelled, the Asian Football Confederation said on Monday.

Indian football awakening? Ex-Aussie star joins camp!

Indian football awakening? Ex-Aussie star joins camp!

Rediff.com6 Nov 2025

Williams, Bharti join camp, signalling new chapter for Indian football

Coach Constantine hails Team India; eyes good showing in Asian Cup

Coach Constantine hails Team India; eyes good showing in Asian Cup

Rediff.com11 Jun 2018

The Indian football team showed a lot of character and resilience in its title-winning Intercontinental Cup campaign and the attitude would be crucial to ensuring that the country doesn't just make up the numbers in next year's AFC Asian Cup, believes national coach Stephane Constantine.

Sunil Chhetri returns for World Cup qualifiers in Qatar

Sunil Chhetri returns for World Cup qualifiers in Qatar

Rediff.com19 May 2021

Sunil Chhetri likened the national team setup with his home and expressed his relief at returning to where he belongs

Sandhu returns as India drop squad for CAFA Cup

Sandhu returns as India drop squad for CAFA Cup

Rediff.com25 Aug 2025

India face hosts Tajikistan on August 29 followed by matches against Iran on September 1 and Afghanistan on September 4.

Pritika Barman's Double Helps India U-17 Women Beat Myanmar

Pritika Barman's Double Helps India U-17 Women Beat Myanmar

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

The Indian U17 women's team defeated Myanmar 2-0 in an international friendly match, with Pritika Barman scoring both goals. The match is part of India's preparation for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup.

Italy rejects Trump envoy's suggestion to replace Iran at World Cup

Italy rejects Trump envoy's suggestion to replace Iran at World Cup

Rediff.com24 Apr 2026

Italy rejects a proposal by Trump envoy Paolo Zampolli to replace Iran at the FIFA World Cup 2026, as officials insist qualification must be earned on merit.

Aus import Ryan Williams joins Indian camp

Aus import Ryan Williams joins Indian camp

Rediff.com9 Nov 2025

The camp began in Bengaluru on Thursday.

Bhubaneswar, Guwahati to host two FIFA WC qualifiers

Bhubaneswar, Guwahati to host two FIFA WC qualifiers

Rediff.com2 Sep 2023

The hosts for India's home leg against Kuwait on June 6 next year will be confirmed at a later date.

Middle East travel chaos threatens Iraq's FIFA World Cup hopes

Middle East travel chaos threatens Iraq's FIFA World Cup hopes

Rediff.com5 Mar 2026

Iraq's participation in the inter-confederation play-offs in Mexico that will decide two berths at this year's FIFA World Cup is in doubt because of the travel chaos triggered by the conflict in neighbouring Iran.

Who Is Khalid Jamil, the Man Tasked with Rescuing Indian Football?

Who Is Khalid Jamil, the Man Tasked with Rescuing Indian Football?

Rediff.com1 Aug 2025

Khalid Jamil's rise can't exactly be termed as meteoric but the last eight years has been nothing less than extraordinary for the 48-year-old, who on Friday took over reins of the national men's football team.

Lebanon pull out of Asian Cup

Lebanon pull out of Asian Cup

Rediff.com1 Aug 2006

Crisis-hit Lebanon has withdrawn from qualifying for the 2007 Asian Cup football.

India sees Asian Cup as stepping stone towards future dream

India sees Asian Cup as stepping stone towards future dream

Rediff.com29 Dec 2018

India has a population of 1.3 billion but the nation's obsession with and success on the cricket pitch has left it a massive underachiever on the football field.

India Women's Football Team Aim for Quarter-Finals in Decisive Match Against Chinese Taipei

India Women's Football Team Aim for Quarter-Finals in Decisive Match Against Chinese Taipei

Rediff.com9 Mar 2026

India women's football team face Chinese Taipei in a crucial AFC Women's Asian Cup match, needing a victory to keep their quarter-final hopes alive.

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.

India Receive Defensive Boost For Singapore Fixture!

India Receive Defensive Boost For Singapore Fixture!

Rediff.com19 Sep 2025

Pressure will be on India against Singapore, but Jhingan available for matches: Jamil

On birthday, Chhetri named 'Asian Icon' by AFC

On birthday, Chhetri named 'Asian Icon' by AFC

Rediff.com3 Aug 2018

Chhetri is currently the highest goal-scoring active Asian player with 64 strikes from 101 matches and third in the world after superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Mohun Bagan defies AIFF: Refuses to release players for India camp

Mohun Bagan defies AIFF: Refuses to release players for India camp

Rediff.com18 Aug 2025

The senior India squad began its preparatory camp in Bengaluru on August 15 ahead of next month's CAFA Nations Cup, but 13 players, including seven from Mohun Bagan, have skipped the camp.

Under-fire Marquez quits as India football coach

Under-fire Marquez quits as India football coach

Rediff.com2 Jul 2025

India football head coach Manolo Marquez stepped down on Wednesday after reaching a 'mutual agreement' with the All Indian Football Federation.

Teary-eyed Constantine resigns after India's Asian Cup exit

Teary-eyed Constantine resigns after India's Asian Cup exit

Rediff.com15 Jan 2019

The group stage Asian Cup exit turning out to be one bitter pill that he found too hard to swallow.

AIFF and Dream Sports Foundation Join Forces to Develop Youth Football in India

AIFF and Dream Sports Foundation Join Forces to Develop Youth Football in India

Rediff.com25 Mar 2026

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced a multi-year partnership with Dream Sports Foundation (DSF) to strengthen U16 football in India, focusing on grassroots development and a cohesive pathway for young players.

Late Substitutes Spark India U-17 Women's Football Team's Victory Over Myanmar

Late Substitutes Spark India U-17 Women's Football Team's Victory Over Myanmar

Rediff.com14 Mar 2026

The Indian U-17 women's football team defeated Myanmar 3-2 in a friendly match, with substitutes playing a key role in the late comeback victory.

Chhetri left out of India squad for Bangladesh clash

Chhetri left out of India squad for Bangladesh clash

Rediff.com5 Nov 2025

Indian football team head coach Khalid Jamil on Wednesday announced 23 probables for the inconsequential Asian Cup qualifiers match against Bangladesh and talismanic striker Sunil Chhetri's name is missing from the list.

Asian Cup berth in 2019 essential for India, says coach Constantine

Asian Cup berth in 2019 essential for India, says coach Constantine

Rediff.com23 Mar 2017

India, currently ranked 132nd in the FIFA world rankings, have never played in the World Cup finals and kick off the latest phase of their attempt to qualify for the Asian Cup on Tuesday when they take on Myanmar in Yangon.

Houghton sets sights on 2011 Asian Cup

Houghton sets sights on 2011 Asian Cup

Rediff.com7 Aug 2008

India football coach Bob Houghton heaped praise on his charges for their "immense desire to win" in difficult conditions. India rode on an 82nd minute goal by striker Sunil Chhetri to beat Myanmar 1-0 and book a berth in the final of the of the eight-nation AFC Challenge Cup tournament, the winner of which will qualify for the 2011 Asian Cup.

'Focus on own game' as India face Tajikistan in CAFA Nations Cup

'Focus on own game' as India face Tajikistan in CAFA Nations Cup

Rediff.com28 Aug 2025

'Yes, this is an away game against a good team, but we have to prepare accordingly and think only of one thing -- a positive result.'

Khalid Jamil top contender for India head coach job

Khalid Jamil top contender for India head coach job

Rediff.com23 Jul 2025

Three shortlisted for Indian football team's coach role; Constantine, Jamil in the mix

Sunil Chhetri at 40, but who's next?

Sunil Chhetri at 40, but who's next?

Rediff.com13 Jun 2025

Kalyan Chaubey alluded to lack of goals from the Indian strikers, which he said could be one of the reasons for the poor show by the team under Manolo Marquez.