News for 'Football'

Delhi awaits Messi as Kohli touches down

Delhi awaits Messi as Kohli touches down

Rediff.com14 Dec 2025

Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli were spotted at Delhi airport on Sunday morning after flying in from Mumbai, with the couple's arrival immediately sparking buzz around Lionel Messi's ongoing GOAT India Tour.

Will Messi Turn Up for India vs USA T20 WC Clash?

Will Messi Turn Up for India vs USA T20 WC Clash?

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

Lionel Messi's final stop on his G.O.A.T India Tour produced a memorable crossover moment between football and cricket in New Delhi on Monday.

Messi event organiser in Kolkata sent to 14-day police custody

Messi event organiser in Kolkata sent to 14-day police custody

Rediff.com14 Dec 2025

The chief organizer of the Lionel Messi football event at Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata, where chaos erupted, has been remanded to 14-day police custody. The arrest follows allegations of mismanagement during Messi's appearance, which led to widespread frustration and vandalism among spectators.

Messi's Brief Visit Sparks Chaos At Kolkata Stadium

Messi's Brief Visit Sparks Chaos At Kolkata Stadium

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Angry fans hurled bottles and damaged fibreglass seats, forcing the police to intervene as they struggled to bring the situation under control at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.

New Queen Rises! Divya Deshmukh Dazzles In 2025

New Queen Rises! Divya Deshmukh Dazzles In 2025

Rediff.com25 Dec 2025

Divya Deshmukh not only became the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Women's World Cup, she also instantly secured the prestigious Grandmaster title.

IWL: Sreebhumi sink Gokulam Kerala; Garhwal United win

IWL: Sreebhumi sink Gokulam Kerala; Garhwal United win

Rediff.com24 Dec 2025

Captain Dangmei Grace struck a brace as Sreebhumi FC registered a resounding 4-0 win over Gokulam Kerala FC in an Indian Women's League match, in Kalyani, on Wednesday.

Amid backlash, FIFA rolls out limited $60 World Cup tickets

Amid backlash, FIFA rolls out limited $60 World Cup tickets

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

The PMAs, which represent competing national teams and manage dedicated fan ticket programmes, will handle the ticket allocation process.

Why Zidane's son ditched France to play for Algeria

Why Zidane's son ditched France to play for Algeria

Rediff.com25 Dec 2025

Luca Zidane, son of French World Cup-winner Zinedine, said his grandfather had supported him in switching international allegiance to Algeria, after playing for France at junior level.

ISL clubs warn AIFF: 'Fix rules or hand us the League'

ISL clubs warn AIFF: 'Fix rules or hand us the League'

Rediff.com11 Dec 2025

Twelve Indian Super League (ISL) clubs on Thursday urged the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to amend the "commercially restrictive" clauses of its constitution during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on December 20, in another reminder that the domestic game may collapse if immediate steps are not taken.

Delhi gives Messi's India Tour the perfect ending

Delhi gives Messi's India Tour the perfect ending

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

The Lionel Messi G.O.A.T. India Tour that began in shambolic fashion ended in a blaze of glory as devotional fans joyously gathered to catch a glimpse of a man that does things on the field that are often beyond human comprehension.

9-Year-Old Indian Prodigy Joins Everton

9-Year-Old Indian Prodigy Joins Everton

Rediff.com27 Nov 2025

Urban Negi, a highly-rated nine-year-old Indian-origin footballer, has signed with Everton FC's Under-9 Youth Academy.

Beckham Goes Back To School In Vizag

Beckham Goes Back To School In Vizag

Rediff.com27 Nov 2025

From leading a lively reading circle to planting trees with digital IDs and joining a fiery one-touch football drill, David Beckham had a ball with the kids.

Messi wraps up India tour with aarti at Ambani's Vantara

Messi wraps up India tour with aarti at Ambani's Vantara

Rediff.com16 Dec 2025

Messi, accompanied by his Inter Miami teammates Luis Surez and Rodrigo De Paul, was accorded a traditional welcome, featuring folk music, floral greetings and a ceremonial 'Aarti'.

Hyderabad, are you ready for Messi?

Hyderabad, are you ready for Messi?

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

Messi confirms Hyderabad stop on GOAT Tour

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.

AIFF's 20-year blueprint to rescue Indian Super League

AIFF's 20-year blueprint to rescue Indian Super League

Rediff.com26 Dec 2025

If all goes well, the new season of ISL may start in the first week of February.

Football Friendlies: England rout Wales; Denmark batter Belarus

Football Friendlies: England rout Wales; Denmark batter Belarus

Rediff.com10 Oct 2025

England racked up an eighth successive victory against Wales with a 3-0 cruise in an international friendly at Wembley on Thursday.

Messi event fiasco: Mamata accepts sports minister's resignation

Messi event fiasco: Mamata accepts sports minister's resignation

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday accepted Aroop Biswas's resignation as the sports minister in the wake of the controversy over the mismanagement of football icon Lionel Messi's event last week, a senior leader of the ruling Trinamool Congress said.

Why Did Congress Hold 'Vote Chori' Rally?

Why Did Congress Hold 'Vote Chori' Rally?

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

Glimpses from Sunday's Congress rally at the Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi against 'Vote Chori'.

Indian football in crisis: ISL clubs warn of shutdown

Indian football in crisis: ISL clubs warn of shutdown

Rediff.com25 Aug 2025

No headway in meeting between AIFF and FSDL

Shot in arm for girls football in Udaipur

Shot in arm for girls football in Udaipur

Rediff.com31 Jul 2025

This is India's first technology-driven residential football training centre exclusively for girls, the company has claimed.

FIFA's big move to fix ailing Indian football!

FIFA's big move to fix ailing Indian football!

Rediff.com2 Aug 2025

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.

PSG's Dembele is FIFA men's player of the year!

PSG's Dembele is FIFA men's player of the year!

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

Dembele was able to attend the ceremony, as he was already in Qatar for Wednesday's Intercontinental Cup final where PSG take on Flamengo.

India colts stun fancied Iran, seal AFC Asian Cup spot

India colts stun fancied Iran, seal AFC Asian Cup spot

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

India colts staged a remarkable comeback to stun overwhelming favourites Iran 2-1 in their last Group D qualifying game and seal a place in the 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup, in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

ISL captains sign petition to Supreme Court

ISL captains sign petition to Supreme Court

Rediff.com14 Nov 2025

The move follows an online meeting held earlier this week, where captains discussed the growing uncertainty surrounding the paused ISL season.

Why 2025 Became a Defining Year for Women's Sport

Why 2025 Became a Defining Year for Women's Sport

Rediff.com22 Dec 2025

A deafening roar at Twickenham capped a 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup that smashed attendance records, while India's first Women's Cricket World Cup triumph sparked nationwide celebrations.

Now, Watch Kaantha On OTT

Now, Watch Kaantha On OTT

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

Vampires, murders, superheroes and romantic reunions galore, it's quite a package of emotions on OTT this week.

England start World Cup quest against familiar foe Croatia

England start World Cup quest against familiar foe Croatia

Rediff.com6 Dec 2025

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.

Beat the heat! 2026 World Cup to have hydration breaks

Beat the heat! 2026 World Cup to have hydration breaks

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

World Cup matches to have mandatory hydration breaks in each half

Assam to host Santosh Trophy final round

Assam to host Santosh Trophy final round

Rediff.com27 Nov 2025

The winners of each group will join hosts Assam, last season's champions West Bengal and runners-up Kerala in the 12-team Final Round that will be hosted in Dhakuakhana and Dhemaji.

City cruise, Villa rally as EPL title race heats up

City cruise, Villa rally as EPL title race heats up

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

Manchester City maintained their squeeze on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 victory at Crystal Palace on Sunday, a result that keeps Pep Guardiola's side lurking two points behind the leaders and ready to pounce.

Comeback kings Villa stun Chelsea; Arsenal, City win

Comeback kings Villa stun Chelsea; Arsenal, City win

Rediff.com28 Dec 2025

After Saturday's 2-1 win at Chelsea - their 12th in 13 league matches - Aston Villa have claimed 18 points from losing positions so far this season, more than any other team.

Thamma, F1, Emily In Paris: OTT's December Line-up

Thamma, F1, Emily In Paris: OTT's December Line-up

Rediff.com27 Nov 2025

There will be a lot of excitement in the theatres in December but OTT entertainment looks good too.

Olympian Bindra Urges Introspection After Messi's India Tour

Olympian Bindra Urges Introspection After Messi's India Tour

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

'Icons like Messi inspire us and that inspiration matters deeply. But inspiration must be met with intent.'

Messi event organiser detained in Kolkata over chaos

Messi event organiser detained in Kolkata over chaos

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

The police in Kolkata have arrested the organiser of the event surrounding Argentine footballer Lionel Messi's visit to the Salt Lake Stadium after chaos broke out when the superstar stayed only for a few minutes and was not visible to most fans in attendance.

Viable Commercial Framework Sought To End ISL Crisis

Viable Commercial Framework Sought To End ISL Crisis

Rediff.com19 Nov 2025

SC-appointed Justice Rao recommends striking balance between AIFF autonomy and bidders' interests

AIFF implements SC order banning dual posts

AIFF implements SC order banning dual posts

Rediff.com24 Nov 2025

Acting on the directive of the Supreme Court, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Monday adopted the contentious clause of the new constitution that prohibits its office-bearers from holding dual posts in the national body and state units.

2026 FIFA World Cup draw: Check out the groups

2026 FIFA World Cup draw: Check out the groups

Rediff.com6 Dec 2025

Next year's 48-team World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

AIFF calls SGM to vote on contentious dual post clause

AIFF calls SGM to vote on contentious dual post clause

Rediff.com14 Nov 2025

Majority of state units favour dual posts, AIFF calls SGM on Nov 24 to vote on matter

Google reveals most-searched IPL team in 2025

Google reveals most-searched IPL team in 2025

Rediff.com5 Dec 2025

Punjab Kings emerge as most-searched IPL team on Google in 2025