News for 'FIFA Council Meeting'

Infantino: World Cup 2026 on track despite Iran uncertainty

Infantino: World Cup 2026 on track despite Iran uncertainty

Rediff.com21 Mar 2026

FIFA President Gianni Infantino says the 2026 World Cup will proceed as scheduled despite uncertainty over Iran's participation due to security and geopolitical tensions.

'Outstanding work': FIFA boss Infantino hails ICC chairman Jay Shah

'Outstanding work': FIFA boss Infantino hails ICC chairman Jay Shah

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

FIFA president Gianni Infantino hailed Jay Shah's 'outstanding work' as the chairman of International Cricket Council.

'Unacceptable disgrace': Fury as Italy fail to qualify again

'Unacceptable disgrace': Fury as Italy fail to qualify again

Rediff.com1 Apr 2026

Italy crash out of World Cup qualification for the third straight time, losing to Bosnia on penalties, sparking outrage and calls for sweeping changes.

Iran footballers pay tribute to schoolgirls killed in US-Israeli strikes

Iran footballers pay tribute to schoolgirls killed in US-Israeli strikes

Rediff.com27 Mar 2026

Iran's men's national soccer team wore black armbands and held schoolbags as their anthem played ahead of a match in Turkey on Friday, in what a team official said was a protest over the killing of schoolgirls on the first day of the Iran war.

AFC elections for FIFA council postponed

AFC elections for FIFA council postponed

Rediff.com27 Sep 2016

Asia's top soccer officials delivered a major snub to FIFA on Tuesday, forcing the postponement of an election for three spots on the world body's new governing Council in a row over the disqualification of a Qatari candidate.

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.

FIFA approves 48-team women's World Cup from 2031 edition

FIFA approves 48-team women's World Cup from 2031 edition

Rediff.com10 May 2025

The 48-team World Cup will adopt a 12-group format, increasing the total number of matches from 64 to 104 - the same as the expanded men's World Cup in 2026 - and extending the tournament by one week.

ISL Crisis: Desperate AIFF Willing To Take 'Pay Cut'!

ISL Crisis: Desperate AIFF Willing To Take 'Pay Cut'!

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

AIFF for "flexible" approach during Sports Minister Mandaviya's meeting with football stakeholders.

FIFA lifts ban on Iraq hosting international football games

FIFA lifts ban on Iraq hosting international football games

Rediff.com17 Mar 2018

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi welcomed a decision from soccer's world governing body FIFA to lift a ban on hosting competitive international soccer matches at stadiums in three Iraqi cities.

Australia-New Zealand to host 2023 Women's FIFA World Cup

Australia-New Zealand to host 2023 Women's FIFA World Cup

Rediff.com25 Jun 2020

Australia and New Zealand were handed the right to host the 2023 Women's World Cup soccer tournament by a comfortable margin after a vote by the FIFA Council on Thursday. Their joint proposal beat a rival bid from Colombia to host the tournament which is being expanded to 32 teams.

India is a football country now: FIFA chief Infantino

India is a football country now: FIFA chief Infantino

Rediff.com26 Oct 2017

India's chances of the hosting the Under-20 World Cup in 2019 have brightened after the overwhelming success of Under-17 World Cup which is all set to topple China-1985 as the best attended event in the tournament's history.

Swiss Count On Federer To Escape US Tariff Bombshell!

Swiss Count On Federer To Escape US Tariff Bombshell!

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

The Swiss government would not object to tennis legend Roger Federer or FIFA President Gianni Infantino intervening to reduce the country's tariff burden after the US slapped a 39 percent import duty on its goods, President Karin Keller-Sutter said.

United States awarded hosting rights for expanded Club World Cup

United States awarded hosting rights for expanded Club World Cup

Rediff.com23 Jun 2023

The first edition of FIFA's new 32-team Club World Cup will be held in the United States in 2025, world soccer's governing body said on Friday.

2-tier Test system; T20 WC expansion: Key points of ICC meeting

2-tier Test system; T20 WC expansion: Key points of ICC meeting

Rediff.com16 Jul 2025

The much-debated idea of a two-tier Test system, expansion of the T20 World Cup and ratification of new members are some of the topics that will be discussed in depth during the four-day AGM of the International Cricket Council.

FIFA suspends Indian football federation

FIFA suspends Indian football federation

Rediff.com16 Aug 2022

In a massive setback for the country, world football governing body FIFA on Tuesday suspended India for "undue influence from third parties" and said the Under-17 Women's World Cup "cannot currently be held in India as planned."

Find out why the FIFA president is fuming...

Find out why the FIFA president is fuming...

Rediff.com5 Jun 2016

FIFA president blasts critics, says salary not decided.

FIFA's decision to suspend India unfortunate, says CoA

FIFA's decision to suspend India unfortunate, says CoA

Rediff.com16 Aug 2022

The Committee of Administrators (CoA) on Tuesday said it was surprised at FIFA's 'unfortunate' decision to ban the All India Football Federation (AIFF) despite closing in on a consensus on matters concerning the elections and structure of constitution.

FIFA tells AIFF to hold elections to avoid ban

FIFA tells AIFF to hold elections to avoid ban

Rediff.com24 Jun 2022

FIFA has told India's football association to complete changes to its constitution

Soccer: 2026 FIFA WC to have record number of matches

Soccer: 2026 FIFA WC to have record number of matches

Rediff.com14 Mar 2023

India get three slots for AFC competitions in 2023-24 season.

Check out FIFA chief's plans for a new 'mini World Cup'

Check out FIFA chief's plans for a new 'mini World Cup'

Rediff.com23 Oct 2018

The proposals outline what would effectively be a mini-World Cup, featuring eight international teams, every two years in addition to the traditional event.

FIFA president Infantino should be suspended, says Blatter

FIFA president Infantino should be suspended, says Blatter

Rediff.com31 Jul 2020

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has called for his successor, Gianni Infantino, to be suspended by the global soccer body after criminal proceedings were opened against Infantino in Switzerland. Swiss authorities said on Thursday that proceedings had been launched against the current FIFA boss by a special prosecutor looking into meetings he had with Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber.

FIFA to expand World Cup teams to 48. Do you support the move?

FIFA to expand World Cup teams to 48. Do you support the move?

Rediff.com11 Jan 2017

The new format will be made up of 16 groups of three teams.

Qatar's human rights record questioned at FIFA Congress

Qatar's human rights record questioned at FIFA Congress

Rediff.com31 Mar 2022

President of Norweigan FA Ms. Klaveness, who is gay, gave a six-minute speech blasting FIFA and the Qatar FA for their human rights violations

How much green would a 48 team FIFA WC format rake in?

How much green would a 48 team FIFA WC format rake in?

Rediff.com14 Dec 2022

FIFA conceded earlier this year they were concerned about the possibility of contrived results where two teams could engineer a positive result for both, which would eliminate the third group team not playing.

FIFA postpones U-17 Women's World Cup in India due to COVID-19

FIFA postpones U-17 Women's World Cup in India due to COVID-19

Rediff.com4 Apr 2020

The women's age group showpiece was to be held at five venues in the country --Kolkata, Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, Ahmedabad and Navi Mumbai -- from November 2-21. FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup was postponed by football's governing body due to the worsening COVID-19 pandemic across the globe.

FIFA to stick with 32 teams for Qatar World Cup

FIFA to stick with 32 teams for Qatar World Cup

Rediff.com23 May 2019

FIFA president Gianni Infantino had proposed expanding the tournament and explored the idea of adding additional host nations.

Swiss authorities search FIFA HQ in corruption probe

Swiss authorities search FIFA HQ in corruption probe

Rediff.com3 Jun 2016

Swiss authorities have again searched the Zurich headquarters of FIFA and seized documents and electronic data in its corruption probe surrounding the global soccer body, the Swiss attorney general's office said on Friday.

Infantino: 2025 Club World Cup will have 32 team format

Infantino: 2025 Club World Cup will have 32 team format

Rediff.com16 Dec 2022

"This 11 billion figure is without the club World Cup (in 2025). At the end of the four years we will make even more revenue," Infantino told a news conference.

FIFA reveals proposed slots for 48-team 2026 World Cup

FIFA reveals proposed slots for 48-team 2026 World Cup

Rediff.com30 Mar 2017

Under the proposal, made by the FIFA Bureau, for the enlarged tournament beginning in 2026, Europe would get 16 direct places, Africa nine, Asia eight, South America six, CONCACAF six and Oceania one, totalling 46 teams.

Football Extras: Ronaldo recalled by Portugal for first time since World Cup

Football Extras: Ronaldo recalled by Portugal for first time since World Cup

Rediff.com15 Mar 2019

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is planning a fresh 24-team Club World Cup to start with a 'pilot' edition in 2021.

Morocco to battle North American trio to host FIFA 2026 World Cup

Morocco to battle North American trio to host FIFA 2026 World Cup

Rediff.com11 Aug 2017

Morocco has lodged a last-minute bid to host the 2026 soccer World Cup and will compete against a three-way bid from the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Bagan to pay up FIFA fine

Bagan to pay up FIFA fine

Rediff.com11 Aug 2003

But the club is likely to appeal, contending that Nigerian recruit Isa Musah was suspended on grounds of indiscipline.

VAR will be used at Russia World Cup, says FIFA

VAR will be used at Russia World Cup, says FIFA

Rediff.com17 Mar 2018

Video assistant referees (VARs) will be used at the World Cup for the first time in this year's finals in Russia, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Friday, and teams will be allowed a fourth substitute in matches that go to extra-time.

Football Extras: End of time-wasting substitutions?

Football Extras: End of time-wasting substitutions?

Rediff.com26 Oct 2018

News of all that's transpired on and off the football field

India to host Under-17 women's World Cup in 2020

India to host Under-17 women's World Cup in 2020

Rediff.com16 Mar 2019

This will be the second FIFA tournament India will be hosting, after the Under-17 men's World Cup in 2017.

More trouble for former AIFF chief Patel

More trouble for former AIFF chief Patel

Rediff.com10 Aug 2022

CoA files contempt petition against Praful Patel, pleads to bar him from football-related activities.

'U-17 WC a success but no commitment on U-20 bid'

'U-17 WC a success but no commitment on U-20 bid'

Rediff.com27 Oct 2017

World football governing body chief Gianni Infantino, on Friday, described the FIFA U-17 World Cup as a "resounding success" but refrained from giving any commitment on the country's bid to host the U-20 World Cup in 2019.

Soccer: Ronaldo made to wait for Al Nassr debut

Soccer: Ronaldo made to wait for Al Nassr debut

Rediff.com7 Jan 2023

Bayern's Mazraoui suffers heart complications due to COVID

FIFA rules to protect female players' maternity rights

FIFA rules to protect female players' maternity rights

Rediff.com19 Nov 2020

News of all that's transpired on and off the football field.

Byju's, MPL want exit from Team India sponsorship

Byju's, MPL want exit from Team India sponsorship

Rediff.com22 Dec 2022

Indian team's jersey sponsor Byju's wants to terminate its agreement with the BCCI which has asked the company to continue at least until March 2023.