FIFA President Gianni Infantino has acknowledged the possibility of expanding the World Cup to 64 teams, a move that could significantly alter the sport's economics and logistics, despite opposition from major confederations like UEFA and AFC.
The French Football Federation has announced it is withdrawing its support for Gianni Infantino's bid for re-election as FIFA president, following widespread criticism over his abandoned proposal to sell a stake in FIFA competitions.
Over 100 US lawmakers, led by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, have written to FBI Director Kash Patel demanding an investigation into an attempted mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Illinois as a federal hate crime. They also sought answers on measures to address online threats targeting Indian-Americans, criticising the Trump administration's past messaging for legitimising racial stereotypes.
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.
Infantino appears to have enough global support to secure re-election, forcing opponents without a credible challenger to consider shifting from defeating him to curbing presidential powers.
India's U-17 women's team secured a resounding 4-0 victory over Bangladesh in the final, avenging an earlier defeat.
India-Pakistan clashes in cricket and hockey drew big audiences at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, helping fuel stronger viewership and a 20% revenue rise.
An Iranian state television presenter has labelled the women's national soccer team as "wartime traitors" after the players did not sing their national anthem before their Asian Cup opener against South Korea in Australia earlier this week.
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.
Despite a population of 1.45 billion, India's football team is ranked a lowly 138th in the world and failed to qualify for next year's Asian Cup, highlighting deep-rooted systemic issues and a failure to implement reforms that keep the World Cup dream distant for fans.
'At the same time, this may encourage some youngsters in some parts of the country to pursue football.'
The visas were granted to the five Iranian players after US President Donald Trump spoke to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following reports that the players had requested asylum.
It seemed like a case of one step forward and two steps back for Indian football in 2006 as they plunged to 157th in the rankings.
Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka are the other SAFF nations to severe ties with South West Asian Football Federation on the eve of the Asian Football Confederation Congress in Kuala Lumpur.
Germany's 2014 World Cup winner Sami Khedira sees no identity crisis in his brother Rani playing for Tunisia at FIFA World Cup 2026.
The national men's team beat India 2-0 to win the South Asian Football Federation championship in Kathmandu late on Tuesday, Afghanistan's first international football title, sending tens of thousands of joyous Afghans into the streets. Fans in cars and on motorbikes joined others on foot, cheering, blowing horns and waving Afghan flags throughout the night.
Pakistan's women's football team striker Shahlyla Ahmadzai Baloch has died in a car accident in Karachi on Thursday.
AIFF to write to SAFF regarding Nepal holding up SAFF women's semifinal match
'The AIFF is happy to have the government's strong support in our bid to host the AFC Asian Cup 2031. The Asian Cup is the biggest football tournament in Asia and it is important for India as a nation to showcase what we have, not just to Asia but to the rest of the world.'
Sasmita Mallick found the net four times as India mauled Afghanistan 11-0 to storm into the Women's South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship in Colombo on Friday.
Former Italy international Pamela Conti was on Sunday named head coach of the Indian women's U-17 team to take charge of the country's AFC Asian Cup campaign later this year, second such appointment of a national side this month made by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
A look at the careers of Indian sportspersons who have transitioned into politics, highlighting their successes, failures, and party affiliations.
Williams, Bharti join camp, signalling new chapter for Indian football
The camp began in Bengaluru on Thursday.
All India Football Federation General Secretary Alberto Colaco has been elected new general secretary of South Asian Football Federation for a four-year term.
Captain Ashalata Devi will become the first Indian woman footballer to play 100 international matches when she takes the field in the SAFF Championship opening match against Pakistan in Kathmandu on Thursday.
Italy are gearing up for their Twenty20 World Cup debut, hoping a strong showing next month will help the sport break into popular culture in a soccer-obsessed nation that does not have a natural cricket pitch.
The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) has decided to start a new tournament, SAFF Club Championships, with the inaugural edition to be held in Bangladesh from September 1-15.
Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma on Thursday said Indian Super League (ISL) has helped the national football team take giant strides at the world stage.
Saudi Arabia will host the men's soccer World Cup in 2034 while the 2030 edition will be held in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with one-off matches in three South American countries, world soccer's governing body FIFA confirmed on Wednesday.
National football team coach Wim Koevermans has announced his squad of 21 players for India's two international friendlies which are scheduled to be held this month.
Hosts India have been grouped with Tajikistan and Turkmenistan for the second edition of the AFC Challenge Cup.
India occupies the 118th place in the latest list.
While the Indian women's football team holds the 60th position in the FIFA rankings, the men's team ranks 100.
A brace by midfielder N P Pradeep helped India hold Chinese Taipei 2-2 in their second and final football friendly tie against in Chennai on Tuesday. In the first friendly in Goa on Saturday, India had defeated the visitors 3-0.
Midfielder Zaidinmawia Hmar will lead India in the football competition of the South Asian\nGames.
India team thrashed Bangladesh 5-1 in a Group A match of the third SAFF (South Asian Football Federation) Women's Football Championship in Islamabad on Saturday.
One of the biggest names in the women's game, the 36-year-old Bembem called time on her illustrious international career at the end of the South Asian Games last year in Shillong.
Bangladesh will take on hosts Pakistan while India will take on Maldives in the semi-finals of the South Asian Football Federation Championship.
Motiur Rahman Munna's golden goal in ther sixth minute of extra-time earned Bangladesh a meeting with Maldives in the final.
