Former Italy international Andrea Pirlo has withdrawn from contention for the national team's head coach position after his commercial ties to Russian betting company Fonbet drew significant criticism and opposition from Italian football officials and lawmakers.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, easing restrictions on Russian athletes. This move, welcomed by the Kremlin, allows Olympic sports bodies to consider reintegrating Russian athletes as neutrals, though some sports like track and field are not following suit.
Kolkata, a city with a deep passion for football, is grappling with Lionel Messi's international retirement. The article explores the city's unique and enduring connection to the Argentine superstar, from his memorable 2011 visit to the emotional fan reactions to his retirement, including a controversial 2023 event.
Former India football coach Stephen Constantine has expressed deep disappointment over the national team's current decline, criticising the All India Football Federation for its decisions, including the appointment of Khalid Jamil as coach despite his lack of international experience. Constantine, who led India to a historic FIFA ranking of 96, believes he should still be managing the team and calls for wider structural reforms in Indian football.
Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri has voiced his deep disappointment over Jamshedpur FC's decision to withdraw from the upcoming Indian Super League season. Describing the move as "a punch in the gut," Chhetri urged the Tata Group, owners of the club, to reconsider, highlighting their crucial role in Indian football development. The club's withdrawal, influenced by a new AIFF administrative fee, means the ISL will proceed with 13 teams.
Jamshedpur FC's withdrawal from the Indian Super League was a pre-planned strategic decision to refocus on grassroots football development, independent of the league's commercial uncertainties, according to Tata Steel Vice President D B Sundara Raman.
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."
Iran's national football team is training in Turkey for upcoming friendlies as they prepare for the FIFA World Cup, facing heightened attention due to geopolitical tensions.
Iran's football federation announced its World Cup ticket allocation has been revoked just days before the tournament, leaving many fans unable to attend.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing a deepening crisis after his proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup was abandoned, leading to public distancing from influential executives and calls for his removal from office.
Danish soccer player Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch in a match against Ukraine on Sunday, but was conscious, the Danish Football Federation said in a social media post.
India's sporting landscape is grappling with a pervasive age fraud issue, as evidenced by hundreds of disqualifications in recent championships. Experts highlight the systemic nature of the problem, driven by a chaotic birth registration system and the allure of early career advantages. While the BCCI has implemented bone density tests, limitations persist, prompting calls for stricter measures, including criminal deterrence and a comprehensive national database, to safeguard the integrity of youth sports.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is holding a crisis meeting with top officials in Morocco to address the fallout from his failed attempt to sell commercial rights to the World Cup, a move that has led to widespread criticism and calls for his removal.
Crispin Chettri is expected to be reappointed as the head coach of the Indian women's football team, succeeding Amelia Valverde, following a recommendation from the AIFF's Technical Committee.
Denmark's football association (DBU) has declared it has lost confidence in FIFA President Gianni Infantino and will seek a credible alternative for the 2027 election, citing a 'fundamental crisis of confidence' over his aborted proposal to sell commercial stakes in FIFA tournaments.
France captain Kylian Mbappe was honoured for reaching 100 international appearances, receiving a commemorative jersey from coach Didier Deschamps. Deschamps himself was celebrated for becoming the most successful manager in FIFA World Cup history with 17 victories. Despite their dominant performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage, both Mbappe and Deschamps cautioned against complacency ahead of their Round of 16 match against Paraguay.
Curacao and Cape Verde, two of the smallest nations globally, have achieved an unprecedented feat by qualifying for the FIFA World Cup.
The Indian men's national football team will participate in the Unity Cup 2026, a four-nation friendly tournament held in London, marking their return to the UK for international matches after 24 years.
Iran's national soccer team, currently training in Tijuana, Mexico, will be able to enter the US the day before each of their three World Cup matches, the Department of Homeland Security said on Tuesday.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced on Friday that the world soccer's governing body has abandoned its controversial plans to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors, following widespread backlash from major confederations and internal dissent.
Iran has banned national and club sports teams from travelling to countries it considers hostile, citing concerns over the safety of its athletes.
The Indian women's football team will face Bangladesh and the Maldives in Group B of the SAFF Women's Championship, to be held in Goa from May 25 to June 6.
Figo, who retired from playing for Portugal after Euro 2004, has been called up for the World Cup qualifier against Slovakia on June 4.
The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) and the Cerebral Palsy Sports Federation of India (CPSFI) have signed an MoU to jointly bid for the 2029 World Abilitysport Games, aiming to host over 1,500 athletes and showcase India's growing Paralympic movement.
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.
Sardar Azmoun, one of Iran's top football players, has been expelled from the national team for a perceived act of disloyalty to the government, Iranian media has reported.
Senegal has called for an international probe into Confederation of African Football after being stripped of the 2025 AFCON title, which was awarded to Morocco.
Gianni Infantino's bid for a fourth term as FIFA president faces challenges from traditional football powers, but his strategy relies heavily on the support of smaller, emerging nations that benefit significantly from FIFA's development grants.
The World Cup final offers football's grandest stage a deliciously odd pairing: Argentina, all pulse, fire and Lionel Messi, against Spain, the European champions who appear to treat chaos as an administrative error and have turned control into something close to an art form.
Former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund boss Juergen Klopp has been appointed as the head coach of the German national football team on a four-year contract, following Julian Nagelsmann's departure and a series of disappointing World Cup performances.
Thousands of ecstatic supporters welcomed the Egyptian national football team home after their historic World Cup campaign, which saw them reach the last 16 for the first time, despite a heartbreaking defeat to Argentina.
Former Nigeria forward Michael Eneramo died on Friday after collapsing on the pitch during a friendly match in Kaduna. The 40-year-old, who won 10 caps for the Super Eagles, appeared to have suffered cardiac arrest.
The 2026 World Cup has been marred by widespread controversy surrounding the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, with coaches, players, and fans criticising its application, consistency, and impact on match outcomes, leading to a significant increase in interventions and red cards.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has added five players to the national team for the Unity Cup in London after Mohun Bagan Super Giants withdrew their players. The AIFF is working to secure visas for the new players before the first match against Jamaica.
The All India Football Federation met with Genius Sports and Indian Super League club owners to discuss a major proposal regarding the league's commercial rights, focusing on a long-term vision for India's top-tier competition.
India face Hong Kong in their final AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier, with Ryan Williams set to make his debut. Both teams aim to gain FIFA ranking points and build for the future.
Bengaluru FC has appointed Savio Medeira, former Indian national team coach, as their head of youth development, aiming to strengthen the pathway for young players to the first team.
The Trump administration said on Tuesday the United States had denied Somali soccer referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan entry for the World Cup because of his links to "suspected members of terror organizations".
Bengaluru FC appoint former India coach Savio Medeira as Head of Youth Development, aiming to strengthen its grassroots pathway and nurture local talent.
The Sports Ministry, led by Mansukh Mandaviya, has announced stringent selection criteria for the upcoming Asian Games, capping the contingent at 600 athletes. The policy prioritises medal prospects, stating that the Games are not for "exposure tours" or securing jobs. This includes a "realistic chance of winning a medal" and being in the top six continental rankings. The ministry will scrutinise recommendations from National Sports Federations, with specific cases like equestrian Anush Agarwalla and table tennis player Manika Batra highlighting the new approach.
