Real Madrid now have 45 points from 19 matches, second behind defending champions Barcelona.
Should FIFA approve the 64-team format, it would be a one-off birthday bash, with the tournament expected to shrink back to 48 in 2034.
'Khalid will have to begin with consistency and with new players and good strikers from U-23 because he has to build for the future.'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asserted that India is preparing with full strength to host the 2036 Olympic Games.
Bengaluru FC owner Parth Jindal on Wednesday called on the players to "make sacrifices" in view of the financial burden the club will shoulder to participate in the delayed Indian Super League.
"By introducing a structured competition platform ... we aim to ensure consistent access to high-quality matches while addressing logistical and cost-related challenges faced by national teams."
13 clubs have confirmed for truncated ISL, AIFF hoping for Odisha FC to join: sources
FIFA boss Infantino also presented President Trump with the very first ticket to the tournament's grand finale.
Norway registered a thumping 4-1 win as Italy, who have missed out on the last two editions of the World Cup, were condemned to the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Egypt and South Africa also took significant steps towards following the Atlas Lions, moving closer to featuring in the marquee event, which will be played across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
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.
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.
The One-Day International format will struggle for survival and relevance after the 2027 World Cup once its bonafide greats Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma decide to call time, says former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
Indian football team drops six places to 142nd in FIFA rankings after 0-1 loss to Bangladesh
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.
FIFA on Saturday launched its first talent academy for youngsters in India in collaboration with the All India Football Federation (AIFF), aiming to provide advanced training to talented footballers in the country.
'Failure to meet this schedule will leave us with no alternative but to refer the matter to the relevant FIFA decision-making body for consideration and decision... including the possibility of suspension.'
Argentine superstar Lionel Messi on Saturday virtually unveiled his towering 70-foot statue at Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town, Kolkata.
The 2026 World Cup will kick off-on June 11 with joint-hosts Mexico playing South Africa at the Azteca Stadium - iconic venue of the 1970 and 1986 finals - followed by South Korea against a play-off winner after the complex draw was made on Friday.
While most fans were left disappointed at the stadium, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan did get his moment with the football legend.
Lots to look forward to in Indian sports as packed 2026 calender awaits
Iran to attend World Cup draw after boycott threat over visa issues
India have slumped to 142 in the FIFA rankings -- their lowest in nearly a decade.
India thus topped the list for a third consecutive year, something that might hurt its chances when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) evaluates its bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games in the near future.
With two wins from two games, Spain top Group E on six points, while Turkey and Georgia follow with three apiece.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said the World champions will stick to the same winning formula that delivered glory at the Qatar 2022 World Cup after on Friday finding out their group opponents for next year's global tournament.
Satadru Dutta's rise was swift and ambitious. But that journey took a dramatic nosedive on Saturday.
The top two sides from each of the three groups, along with the two best third-placed teams, will progress to the quarter-finals.
Concerned about Indian football's "decline for many years", East Bengal, one of the country's oldest clubs, on Thursday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's urgent intervention to address the "unprecedented crisis"
With few exceptions, female fans have been banned from sports events in the Islamic republic since the 1979 revolution and FIFA faced calls for the men's team to be banned from the 2022 World Cup over the issue.
England will begin their World Cup quest next June against a very familiar foe with seasoned tournament regulars Croatia the first hurdle for Thomas Tuchel's highly-fancied team.
Ichhapur tea-seller Shib Shankar Patra is one of two diehard fans handpicked for a special meet-and-greet with Argentine superstar Lionel Messi.
Lionel Messi's much-hyped visit to the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday lasted 22 minutes, just enough to underline everything that is wrong in Indian football and the state administration's mismanagement.
The latest crisis emerged after the All India Football Federation (AIFF) could not find a new commercial partner for the conduct of domestic league, including the top-tier Indian Super League.
Manisha Kalyan is the only Indian footballer to have played in the UEFA Champions League for women.
Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi is not scheduled to play serious football on the 'G.O.A.T. India Tour 2025'.
Cape Verde rarely played international football some 25 years ago but now head to next year's finals in North America as one of the nine African representatives.
India aim to rebuild in inconsequential Dhaka tie vs Bangladesh
Messi's last visit with the Argentina team to India was back in 2011, when they faced Venezuela in a friendly match at Kolkata's iconic Salt Lake Stadium.
Argentine superstar footballer Lionel Messi's touchdown in Kolkata in the early hours of Saturday sent the city into a frenzy.
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