The escalating conflict involving the U.S. and Israel with Iran has led to widespread disruption in the world of sports, with events postponed, travel plans thrown into chaos, and athletes seeking asylum.
East Bengal, playing with 10 men for most of the match, conceded two late goals to FC Arkadag and lost 1-2 in the second leg of the AFC Challenge League quarterfinals.
Images from the EPL matches played on Saturday.
AIFF asks clubs to confirm participation in delayed ISL
Mohun Bagan had taken the decision to not travel to the country after Iran launched missiles on Israel, escalating political tensions between the two countries.
FC Goa has won the Super Cup title for the second time, defeating Jamshedpur FC 3-0 in the final. Borja Herrera scored a brace, while Dejan Drazic added another goal for the Goan club, who also secured a spot in the preliminary round of the AFC Champions League.
Amelia Valverde named coach of Indian senior women's football team
Despite suffering their first defeat in the qualifiers, India are still in contention. The meet group leaders Iran in a do-or-die match on Sunday. Victory in that match will secure India's passage to the AFC Asian Cup for the 10th time in history.
Indian club FC Goa will have their task cut out as they look to carry their domestic form into the international arena when they face Saudi giants Al Nassr in a vital AFC Champions League Two Group D fixture, in Riyadh, on Wednesday.
It was learnt that 35 registered players, including seven foreigners, wrote to the club that they didn't wish to go to Iran.
When everyone has footage and no one can verify it, the loudest voice wins, notes Prem Panicker who begins a daily blog on the War in the Middle East.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant defeated Kerala Blasters 2-0 in the opening match of the Indian Super League season.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant pulled out of their Tuesday's match against Isfahan after their six foreign players declined to travel to Iran following "advisories from their respective countries".
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.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has asked Indian Super League (ISL) clubs to send the details of the venues where they plan to play their home matches by Monday noon so that it can start working on the schedule of the delayed season which is set to start on February 14.
The Champions League Two features 32 clubs divided into eight groups - four West, four East - of four teams each for the group stage, which will be played in a home-and-away round-robin format from September 17 to December 5.
Indian Super League (ISL) clubs on Friday formally proposed a fundamental restructuring of the country's top-tier professional football league, seeking perpetual operational and commercial rights for a club-owned league model while retaining the All India Football Federation (AIFF) as the sport's regulator.
The top-tier ISL will feature 91 matches on a home-and-away basis.
The group winners will qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, which will feature 24 teams in all, including the hosts.
East Bengal, who trailed Nejmeh by two points heading into this encounter, took the lead in the eighth minute when Madih Talal's corner kick was inadvertently headed into his own net by Baba Musah at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu.
Staring at a permanent paralysis: Indian footballers urge FIFA intervention on ISL
Earlier, MBSG had requested the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to shift their September 30 ACL 2 match against Sepahan SC out of Iran, citing safety concerns.
India aim to rebuild in inconsequential Dhaka tie vs Bangladesh
Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo may be missing from action, but that will hardly make things easier for FC Goa, who face an uphill task against Saudi Arabian giants Al Nassr in their third Group A fixture of the AFC Champions League Two, in Margao, on Wednesday.
FC Goa travel to Iraq for crucial clash against Al Zawraa SC
Arsenal closed out 2025 in emphatic fashion, smashing third-placed Aston Villa 4-1 on Tuesday to surge five points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Keeping their players' "safety and security" in mind, Mohun Bagan Super Giant have decided against travelling to Iran for their AFC Champions League 2 match against Tractor FC owing to the existing volatile situation in the west Asian nation.
India and Bangladesh played out a goalless draw in their 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifying round match in Shillong on Tuesday.
'Everyone knows what is at stake, and the approach and mindset that we need in these matches.'
Qatar's Akram Afif has been named the Asian Football Confederation's Player of the Year for a second time with Kiko Seike from Japan securing the women's title at the regional body's annual awards ceremony in Seoul on Tuesday.
The top two sides from each of the three groups, along with the two best third-placed teams, will progress to the quarter-finals.
12 ISL clubs agree to participate in Super Cup, winner to get ACL 2 play-off spot
Lots to look forward to in Indian sports as packed 2026 calender awaits
The early strike set the tone for the remainder of the half as the Indian side dictated the tempo. Bam Khatoon's Sara Didar and Fatemeh Geraeli made some long-range efforts with no luck.
Though the 41-year-old scored against Maldives in an international friendly, the country's all-time highest goal-scorer failed to find the back of the net in subsequent competitive fixtures for the Blue Tigers.
Williams, Bharti join camp, signalling new chapter for Indian football
Indian Super League side FC Goa was drawn along with superstar footballer Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia in Group D of the AFC Champions League 2.
The season-opening Super Cup will kick off from October 25 in Goa, an official of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) said on Tuesday.
Substitute Enwer Annayev struck late as Turkmenistan's Ahal FK stunned Mohun Bagan Super Giant 1-0 in their opening Group C match of the AFC Champions League 2 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Tuesday.
Indian club East Bengal produced an utterly dominant show to crush Bangladesh's Bashundhara Kings 4-0 in their AFC Challenge League match in Thimphu on Tuesday.
