News for 'FIFA World Cup 2026'

India drawn with heavyweights at U20 Women's Asian Cup

India drawn with heavyweights at U20 Women's Asian Cup

Rediff.com10 Nov 2025

The top two sides from each of the three groups, along with the two best third-placed teams, will progress to the quarter-finals.

India U20 Women Aim to Build on First Half Performance Against Australia

India U20 Women Aim to Build on First Half Performance Against Australia

Rediff.com4 Apr 2026

India's U20 women's team is set to face Australia in their second Group C match of the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup, aiming to improve upon their first-half performance against Japan. Coach Joakim Alexandersson emphasises mindset and bravery as key factors for success.

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.

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."

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.

World Cup Qualifier PIX: Brazil edge past Chile; Argentina held

World Cup Qualifier PIX: Brazil edge past Chile; Argentina held

Rediff.com11 Oct 2024

Brazil pulled off a last-gasp 2-1 away victory over Chile in the South American World Cup qualifiers on Thursday.

2018 World Cup is the best-ever, says FIFA chief Infantino

2018 World Cup is the best-ever, says FIFA chief Infantino

Rediff.com13 Jul 2018

FIFA president Gianni Infantino promised that the tournament would leave a lasting legacy and there are "concrete plans" to make sure the stadiums are used in the future.

Salah nets for Egypt as big guns flex muscle in World Cup qualifiers

Salah nets for Egypt as big guns flex muscle in World Cup qualifiers

Rediff.com22 Mar 2025

Captain Mohamed Salah scored for Egypt as they eased to a 2-0 victory over Ethiopia in their 2026 World Cup qualifier on Friday, but 2022 semi-finalists Morocco needed a late winner from Bilal El Khannouss to defeat unfancied Niger.

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.

'FIFA decision process on 48 World Cup teams unacceptable'

'FIFA decision process on 48 World Cup teams unacceptable'

Rediff.com28 Mar 2017

The ECA, an organisation representing 220 soccer clubs, opposes the world governing body's decision which Rummenigge, the former Germany international who is also Bayern Munich's chief executive, has previously dismissed as "nonsense".

FIFA agrees to expand football World Cup to 48 teams

FIFA agrees to expand football World Cup to 48 teams

Rediff.com10 Jan 2017

The World Cup will expand to 48 teams from its current 32, starting with the 2026 edition of football's showpiece tournament.

Struggling Tottenham Hotspur appoint De Zerbi as manager

Struggling Tottenham Hotspur appoint De Zerbi as manager

Rediff.com31 Mar 2026

Tottenham Hotspur have appointed Roberto De Zerbi as their manager on a long-term contract, the Premier League club said on Tuesday, and the Italian coach has seven games to steer the North London side to safety.

World Cup quarters a step too far for underdogs Poland

World Cup quarters a step too far for underdogs Poland

Rediff.com4 Dec 2022

Lewandowski huffed and puffed, but he cut a lonely and frustrated figure

You Won't Believe Mohamed Salah's Liverpool Stats

You Won't Believe Mohamed Salah's Liverpool Stats

Rediff.com25 Mar 2026

Mohamed Salah is set to conclude his remarkable nine-year tenure with Liverpool FC at the end of the 2025-26 season. This article highlights his key achievements, records, and statistics during his time at Anfield.

Is Chhetri a striker?

Is Chhetri a striker?

Rediff.com31 Oct 2025

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.

Messi Reveals What Made His Rivalry with Ronaldo Epic

Messi Reveals What Made His Rivalry with Ronaldo Epic

Rediff.com17 May 2025

For 15 years, Messi and Ronaldo battled like no others. Now, Messi shares what made their rivalry so special.

FIFA must look to own future after World Cup vote

FIFA must look to own future after World Cup vote

Rediff.com3 Dec 2010

FIFA has put to bed the thorny subject of World Cup hosting for the foreseeable future and will now have time to ponder its own path forwards after a tumultuous couple of months.

FIFA rankings: India plummet further

FIFA rankings: India plummet further

Rediff.com4 Apr 2024

Reigning world champions Argentina continue to top the chart followed by 2022 World Cup runners-up France, England, Belgium and Brazil.

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.

How World Cup achievers Morocco can galvanise African football

How World Cup achievers Morocco can galvanise African football

Rediff.com16 Dec 2022

Morocco change the mood for African football with exploits in Qatar

US, Mexico to submit bid to co-host 2027 Women's World Cup

US, Mexico to submit bid to co-host 2027 Women's World Cup

Rediff.com20 Apr 2023

US Soccer (USSF) and Mexico's football federation (FMF) have until May 19 to formally submit their 'Bidding Agreement'.

FIFA scam: Morocco denies bribe allegations over 1998 World Cup bid

FIFA scam: Morocco denies bribe allegations over 1998 World Cup bid

Rediff.com15 Jun 2015

US authorities are investigating corruption at FIFA, soccer's global governing body, while Swiss prosecutors have announced their own criminal inquiry into the 2018 and 2022 bids awarded, respectively, to Russia and Qatar.

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.

Infantino suggests 40-team World Cup in 2026

Infantino suggests 40-team World Cup in 2026

Rediff.com30 Mar 2016

Broadening the World Cup finals to include 40 teams could come about in 2026, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said during a tour of South America on Tuesday.

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

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.

Why FIFA should abandon proposal to increase number of teams at World Cup

Why FIFA should abandon proposal to increase number of teams at World Cup

Rediff.com19 Mar 2019

Xavi, who won the World Cup with Spain in 2010 and is seeing out his career in Qatar with top-flight club Al Sadd, said 48 teams would not be the right option for 2022, however.

'Being on the pitch is a blessing I've never taken for granted'

'Being on the pitch is a blessing I've never taken for granted'

Rediff.com29 May 2024

'...there's a feeling of being indebted to the sport, to my team, that I get to do this.'

PIX: Israel anthem booed as Italy register easy win

PIX: Israel anthem booed as Italy register easy win

Rediff.com15 Oct 2025

Italy beat Israel 3-0 at home on Tuesday thanks to a Mateo Retegui double and a late goal from Gianluca Mancini.

PIX: Time draws close for Chhetri's final hurrah

PIX: Time draws close for Chhetri's final hurrah

Rediff.com30 May 2024

Chhetri, who has scored 94 goals from 150 international appearances and the other 26 around him will now continue their training camp in Kolkata, where they will have their first on-field training session on Thursday, May 30.

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.

Kali Choudhury: From Hemet To Hollywood Park

Kali Choudhury: From Hemet To Hollywood Park

Rediff.com30 Sep 2025

Dr Kali P Choudhury, a visionary entrepreneur immigrated to the United States with almost nothing and built his estate in Hemet before turning his focus to Inglewood.

Trump policies cloud potential US World Cup bid

Trump policies cloud potential US World Cup bid

Rediff.com1 Feb 2017

President Donald Trump's controversial immigration policies could hurt an expected U.S. bid to host the 2026 World Cup although plenty of time remains for concerns to ease before the decision by world soccer's governing body FIFA.

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.

It's Official! Kerala to host Messi-Led Argentina!

It's Official! Kerala to host Messi-Led Argentina!

Rediff.com23 Aug 2025

The match will take place between November 10 and 18, and is likely to be played Kochi.

FIFA president Infantino visits Trump, White House

FIFA president Infantino visits Trump, White House

Rediff.com17 Sep 2020

Infantino travelled to Washington to discuss the establishment of a FIFA headquarters in the US

Stimac sacked after India's exit from WC qualifiers

Stimac sacked after India's exit from WC qualifiers

Rediff.com17 Jun 2024

Following a virtual meeting on June 16th, 2024, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced a change in leadership for the Senior Men's National Team.

Mourinho backs World Cup expansion, video technology

Mourinho backs World Cup expansion, video technology

Rediff.com6 Jan 2017

Jose Mourinho believes an expanded World Cup tournament would develop the sport in areas lacking strong soccer foundations without proving to be a burden for both clubs or players in major leagues.

FIFA WC: Mexico will revamp it's football structure

FIFA WC: Mexico will revamp it's football structure

Rediff.com2 Dec 2022

"We have long faces, we deserved something more, but that's football," AEK Athens player Pineda, 26, told ESPN.

Trump's wall no concern with CONCACAF's likely joint World Cup bid

Trump's wall no concern with CONCACAF's likely joint World Cup bid

Rediff.com17 Feb 2017

The CONCACAF region is widely viewed as favourite to host the 2026 tournament given FIFA rules that restrict Europe and Asia from hosting again so quickly.