Defending champions India have been drawn into Group B of the SAFF Championship 2026 alongside Maldives and Pakistan. The tournament, hosted in Dhaka from November 4-17, will see India begin their quest for a record 10th title against Maldives on November 5, followed by a clash with Pakistan on November 11.
India defeated Bangladesh 3-1 in the final to win the SAFF Women's Championships football title for the sixth time, marking their first victory in seven years. The team remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, scoring 18 goals and conceding only one.
India has announced its 23-member squad for the SAFF Women's Championship 2026, set to take place in Goa. The team will compete against Maldives and Bangladesh in Group B, with the top two teams advancing to the semi-finals.
India, the five-time champions, are set to face Bhutan in the SAFF Women's Championship semifinal, aiming for a spot in the final after a dominant group stage performance.
India defeated Bangladesh 3-0 to top Group B and secure a semifinal spot in the SAFF Women's Championship. Goals from Pyari Xaxa, Lynda Kom Serto, and Malavika P sealed the victory, marking India's first win against Bangladesh in seven years.
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.
India beat defending champion Bangladesh 3-1 to win their first SAFF title in seven years.
Five-time champions India booked their place in the final of the SAFF Women's Championship with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over a resolute Bhutan in the second semifinal in Margao on Wednesday.
India's women's football team secured their sixth SAFF Women's Championship title, and their first in seven years, by defeating defending champions Bangladesh 3-1 in the final. The team maintained an all-win record throughout the tournament, scoring 18 goals and conceding only one, showcasing a dominant performance.
Sanfida Nongrum's second-half strike sent India into the SAFF Women's Championship final, but coach Crispin Chhetri criticised his side's attitude and admitted Bhutan 'deserved to win' after a scrappy 1-0 semi-final victory.
Title contenders India made an emphatic start in the SAFF Women's Football Championship as they pumped in goals for fun to notch a crushing 11-0 win over Maldives in the tournament opener in Margao on Monday.
India's U-20 football team delivered a dominant performance, defeating Pakistan 3-0 to secure a spot in the SAFF U-20 Championship semifinals, with Omang Dodum scoring twice.
India U20 team prepares to face Pakistan in their opening match of the SAFF U20 Championship, aiming for a strong start and a place in the semifinals.
India will face Bangladesh in the SAFF Men's U20 Championship final. Both teams have a history of intense contests, promising a gripping encounter.
Anthony Andrews, a highly successful coach in Indian women's football, has been appointed as the assistant coach for the India U17 women's national team. He will continue his dual role with East Bengal FC while preparing the Young Tigresses for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers.
India's U20 team secured a spot in the SAFF Championship final after a decisive 5-0 victory over Bhutan, with Rohen Chaphamayum scoring twice.
Emami Group has officially concluded its role as an investor and manager in East Bengal Football Club, transferring all shares and voting rights back to the club. The group will, however, continue its association with East Bengal FC as a sponsor, reaffirming its commitment to Indian football. This transition follows a successful period for the club under Emami's ownership, marked by significant victories for both men's and women's teams.
The Indian Under-20 men's football team has arrived in Male, Maldives, for the SAFF Championship and will begin their campaign against Pakistan. The team will then face Bangladesh, with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the semi-finals.
The Indian Under-20 football team lost to Bangladesh in a penalty shootout in the SAFF men's U-20 Championship final after a goalless draw.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has assured the All India Football Federation of full government support to host India's biggest-ever international football fixture against five-time World Cup champions Brazil in Kolkata on October 3. This historic match will be India's first against a top-five FIFA-ranked nation, offering crucial exposure to the national team despite initial concerns over crowd management.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is in a difficult situation regarding India's participation in the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup and a proposed friendly against Brazil, as both events clash on October 3. FIFA regulations prohibit fielding an understrength team in a sanctioned competition, forcing the AIFF to seek clarification from FIFA on its plan for separate squads.
India U20 secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Pakistan in their opening Group B match of the SAFF U20 Championship, earning them a semifinal berth. Omang Dodum scored a brace, while Vishal Yadav added another goal for the Blue Colts.
Indian women's football team veteran Grace Dangmei has announced her international retirement following the team's SAFF Championships victory. The 30-year-old forward, who represented India 95 times, concluded her nearly 15-year career with a third SAFF title, having also played for top Indian and Uzbek clubs.
The Indian U20 men's team played out a 1-1 draw against Bangladesh in their second match of the SAFF U20 Championship 2026, securing their place as Group B toppers and advancing to the semi-finals.
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.
Defending champions India U20 will face Bhutan in the semi-finals of the SAFF U20 Championship, while Nepal will play Bangladesh in the other semi-final. India topped Group B after a win against Pakistan and a draw against Bangladesh. Coach Mahesh Gawli has praised his players' performance but stressed the need for more clinical finishing and defensive focus.
The Meghalaya Football Association (MFA) felicitated state footballers Sanfida Nongrum and Ribansi Jamu for their pivotal roles in India's victory at the SAFF Women's Championship 2026. The players, who contributed significantly to India reclaiming the title, were honoured with cash rewards and recognition, inspiring young girls in the state to pursue football.
The Indian Under-17 women's team crushed Bhutan 8-0 in its last round-robin fixture of the SAFF Under-19 Women's Championship to set up a summit showdown with Bangladesh at the Pokhara Rangasala Stadium
India's U-17 women's team secured a resounding 4-0 victory over Bangladesh in the final, avenging an earlier defeat.
Five-time champions India take on defending champions Bangladesh in the SAFF Women's Championship 2026 final, with the hosts aiming to end a seven-year title drought and reclaim regional supremacy.
Spanish football coach Manolo Marquez has criticised the expansion of the FIFA World Cup, arguing it compromises quality and that countries like India should prioritise grassroots development over relying on increased qualification slots. He also highlighted the impact of naturalised players on international competition, citing his experience with the Indian team.
East Bengal FC on Saturday clinched the title of the inaugural edition of the SAFF Women's Club Championship with a dominant 3-0 win over hosts APF FC in the summit clash at the Dasrath Stadium in Kathmandu.
India's senior men's team head coach, Khalid Jamil, has announced a 28-member preliminary squad for the Unity Cup in London, featuring four goalkeepers and eight forwards.
India stifle Bangladesh to win seventh SAFF U17 title on penalties
The India Under-17 women's national team suffered a 0-2 defeat against Bangladesh in the SAFF Under-19 Women's Football Championship 2026.
Each team will play six matches, and the one with the most points will be crowned champion.
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.
India's football faces a setback as it receives only one play-off slot for the 2027-28 AFC Challenge League, the third tier of Asia's club structure, due to administrative issues and declining performance.
The India U17 men's national team sealed their spot in the semi-finals of the SAFF U17 Championship 2025
Bengaluru FC appoint former India coach Savio Medeira as Head of Youth Development, aiming to strengthen its grassroots pathway and nurture local talent.
