News for 'fifa world cup qualification'

Ancy Sojan erases Anju Bobby George's 22-year-old long-jump record

Ancy Sojan erases Anju Bobby George's 22-year-old long-jump record

Rediff.com27 Jun 2026

Kerala's Ancy Sojan created history on Saturday by breaking the long-standing national record in women's long jump at the National Inter-State Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar.

India U17 Football Team Ready For Australia Challenge

India U17 Football Team Ready For Australia Challenge

Rediff.com5 May 2026

India's U17 football team is set to compete in the AFC U17 Asian Cup, starting with a challenging match against Australia. Coach Bibiano Fernandes emphasises the importance of staying organised and focused throughout the tournament.

India jump two places to 104 in FIFA ranking

India jump two places to 104 in FIFA ranking

Rediff.com23 Jun 2022

India's ranking among Asian Football Confederation members, however, still remained static at 19th place

PIX: Cameroon shock Brazil but bow out of World Cup

PIX: Cameroon shock Brazil but bow out of World Cup

Rediff.com3 Dec 2022

Cameroon defeated a second-string Brazil team 1-0 in their final Group G match at the Lusail Stadium on Friday but it was not enough as the African side were knocked out of the competition.

India U20 Women's Team Confident Ahead of AFC Asian Cup

India U20 Women's Team Confident Ahead of AFC Asian Cup

Rediff.com22 Mar 2026

India U20 women's team head coach Joakim Alexandersson expresses confidence in his team's progress ahead of the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup in Thailand, highlighting improvements in ball movement, passing, and defensive organisation.

Salah nets for Egypt as big guns flex muscle in World Cup qualifiers

Salah nets for Egypt as big guns flex muscle in World Cup qualifiers

Rediff.com22 Mar 2025

Captain Mohamed Salah scored for Egypt as they eased to a 2-0 victory over Ethiopia in their 2026 World Cup qualifier on Friday, but 2022 semi-finalists Morocco needed a late winner from Bilal El Khannouss to defeat unfancied Niger.

Argentina appeal decision to replay World Cup qualifier

Argentina appeal decision to replay World Cup qualifier

Rediff.com23 Apr 2022

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) will appeal what it says is FIFA's decision to force Brazil and Argentina to replay their World Cup qualifier, which was cancelled after five minutes due to a breach of COVID-19 quarantine rules.

FIFA World Cup: What teams need to do to make knockout rounds

FIFA World Cup: What teams need to do to make knockout rounds

Rediff.com25 Jun 2018

The top two teams in each group go into the last 16. In the case of teams finishing level on points, FIFA has put in place seven tie-breakers starting with goal difference and then the number of goals scored in all group matches.

Qualifiers: Australia finally win, Iran close in on 2018 FIFA World Cup

Qualifiers: Australia finally win, Iran close in on 2018 FIFA World Cup

Rediff.com28 Mar 2017

Iran took a significant step towards qualifying for next year's World Cup finals with a 1-0 win over China on Tuesday that pushed Marcello Lippi's team closer to the brink of elimination.

FIFA World Cup qualifiers: India coach announces list of probables

FIFA World Cup qualifiers: India coach announces list of probables

Rediff.com20 May 2015

India's football coach Stephen Constantine announced his preliminary squad of 38 probables for India's forthcoming back to back 2018 World Cup Preliminary Joint Qualification matches against Oman and Guam respectively.

FIFA: Modric will happily retire if Croatia win WC

FIFA: Modric will happily retire if Croatia win WC

Rediff.com23 Nov 2022

Modric said it was important to respect opponents in Qatar, including Morocco, describing the players as phenomenal and highly motivated.

Struggling Tottenham Hotspur appoint De Zerbi as manager

Struggling Tottenham Hotspur appoint De Zerbi as manager

Rediff.com31 Mar 2026

Tottenham Hotspur have appointed Roberto De Zerbi as their manager on a long-term contract, the Premier League club said on Tuesday, and the Italian coach has seven games to steer the North London side to safety.

2026 under spotlight: An action-packed year awaits Indian sports

2026 under spotlight: An action-packed year awaits Indian sports

Rediff.com31 Dec 2025

Lots to look forward to in Indian sports as packed 2026 calender awaits

FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in India in Feb-March next year

FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in India in Feb-March next year

Rediff.com12 May 2020

The postponed FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup in India was on Tuesday rescheduled to next year from February 17 to March 7 after the world body made a "thorough assessment" of the situation arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic. The tournament was originally scheduled to be held from November 2 to 21 this year but was postponed last month due to the coronavirus outbreak, which brought global sports activities to a grinding halt.

'Indian football should look at Uzbekistan, Jordan'

'Indian football should look at Uzbekistan, Jordan'

Rediff.com15 Oct 2025

Bhutia calls for systemic overhaul, urges India to follow Asian football models

FIFA WC: Tunisia have planned well to counter Denmark

FIFA WC: Tunisia have planned well to counter Denmark

Rediff.com21 Nov 2022

Neither Kadri nor Jebali would be drawn on the issue of captains at the World Cup wearing a "OneLove" armband in support of the LGBTQ community, which FIFA said will result in a booking.

Peralta's 'trick' takes Mexico past NZ to World Cup

Peralta's 'trick' takes Mexico past NZ to World Cup

Rediff.com20 Nov 2013

Oribe Peralta bagged a first-half hat-trick to help Mexicobook their passage to the 2014 World Cup finals with a 4-2 victory over New Zealand in the second leg of their intercontinental playoff at Wellington Regional Stadium on Wednesday.

Spain continue to top FIFA rankings

Spain continue to top FIFA rankings

Rediff.com3 Sep 2008

Owing to their AFC Challenge Cup triumph, India rose two places in the FIFA rankings and are now at 151.

Diary: Sleepy Spain players prefer siesta to World Cup drama

Diary: Sleepy Spain players prefer siesta to World Cup drama

Rediff.com23 Jun 2018

Spain midfielder Koke revealed he and his team mates have been unable to watch some World Cup games because it interferes with their 'siesta', the traditional afternoon nap.

FIFA shortlists six venues for U-17 football World Cup in India

FIFA shortlists six venues for U-17 football World Cup in India

Rediff.com29 May 2015

Announcing the window for the 24-team championship, which includes India as hosts, Tournament Director Javier Cepii told a media conference in Mumbai that the D Y Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai is among the four centres, which has been given provisional approval to host matches in the 23-day event.

Iranians dance in streets as soccer team qualifies for 2018 World Cup

Iranians dance in streets as soccer team qualifies for 2018 World Cup

Rediff.com13 Jun 2017

Tehran's streets were filled with thousands of Iranians celebrating their men's national soccer team's qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, defying threats by Islamic State to launch more extremist attacks in the country.

FIFA: Saudi captain Al-Faraj out of WC with injury

FIFA: Saudi captain Al-Faraj out of WC with injury

Rediff.com27 Nov 2022

Saudi Arabia need to beat Mexico in the last match in the group on Wednesday to ensure qualification for the last 16, regardless of the outcome of the match between Poland and Argentina.

India's 2022 FIFA WC qualifying round match rescheduled

India's 2022 FIFA WC qualifying round match rescheduled

Rediff.com5 Jun 2020

The Indian football team's postponed 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying round game against Asian champions Qatar at home was on Friday rescheduled to October 8 as the continental body proposed new dates for the matches. India are then scheduled to take on Bangladesh away on November 12 before hosting Afghanistan on November 17.

Iceland shaping up to be a true fan favourite at World Cup

Iceland shaping up to be a true fan favourite at World Cup

Rediff.com16 Jun 2018

Iceland's president Gudni Thorlacius Johannesson has told Reuters that he wants even more soccer fans from around the world to join "Team Iceland" and share the joy as his tiny nation makes its World Cup debut in Russia.

From Bad To Worse: How Indian Football Fared In 2025

From Bad To Worse: How Indian Football Fared In 2025

Rediff.com21 Dec 2025

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.

U17 World Cup: Strife-torn Iraq determined to make mark despite odds

U17 World Cup: Strife-torn Iraq determined to make mark despite odds

Rediff.com5 Oct 2017

A civil war and the menace of militancy has prevented them from playing many matches in run up to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup but then Iraq have proved that they can conquer odds and perform well.

World Cup: How technology is helping minnows strangulate big teams

World Cup: How technology is helping minnows strangulate big teams

Rediff.com22 Jun 2018

'Everyone now has the technology and the information to prepare games down to detail. Many years ago you used to go to a World Cup and it was a surprise on the day and talent and decisions on the pitch made a bigger difference'

Bhubaneswar, Guwahati to host two FIFA WC qualifiers

Bhubaneswar, Guwahati to host two FIFA WC qualifiers

Rediff.com2 Sep 2023

The hosts for India's home leg against Kuwait on June 6 next year will be confirmed at a later date.

FIFA WC Qualifiers: India draw blank vs Afghanistan

FIFA WC Qualifiers: India draw blank vs Afghanistan

Rediff.com22 Mar 2024

India and Afghanistan settled for a 0-0 draw

Can Super Cup lift gloom around Indian football?

Can Super Cup lift gloom around Indian football?

Rediff.com24 Oct 2025

At a time when Indian football is seeking a radical overhaul, the Super Cup, starting in Goa from Saturday, could act as a catalyst for clubs to build their teams, prepare their players, get valuable match time, and keep their hopes of continental qualifications alive.

NZ to grill Blatter over agenda, Oceania World Cup place

NZ to grill Blatter over agenda, Oceania World Cup place

Rediff.com2 Jun 2015

Embattled FIFA President Sepp Blatter can expect a grilling if he shows up for the latter stages of the under-20 World Cup in New Zealand after the country's soccer officials said they were keen to hold clear-the-air discussions with him.

2-tier Test system; T20 WC expansion: Key points of ICC meeting

2-tier Test system; T20 WC expansion: Key points of ICC meeting

Rediff.com16 Jul 2025

The much-debated idea of a two-tier Test system, expansion of the T20 World Cup and ratification of new members are some of the topics that will be discussed in depth during the four-day AGM of the International Cricket Council.

PIX: Asia makes an impact but little progress at World Cup

PIX: Asia makes an impact but little progress at World Cup

Rediff.com3 Jul 2018

Asia's representatives are once again heading home before the business end of the World Cup gets going.

FIFA WC: Germany just wants a win, not a big score

FIFA WC: Germany just wants a win, not a big score

Rediff.com29 Nov 2022

"It is important to simultaneously monitor the other game because you can adapt your strategy a bit accordingly," said Mueller.

India drawn with Iran, Oman in football World Cup qualifiers

India drawn with Iran, Oman in football World Cup qualifiers

Rediff.com14 Apr 2015

The Indian football team was pooled with Iran, Oman, India, Turkmenistan and Guam at the draw for AFC nations in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

World Cup: De Bruyne set for starring role in Belgian midfield

World Cup: De Bruyne set for starring role in Belgian midfield

Rediff.com21 Jun 2018

"I didn't do it before because I was young and I didn't have the profile I have now," De Bruyne, who turns 28 next Thursday on the same day Belgium play England in their final Group G fixture, told RTBF television.

Football ace Chhetri comes out of retirement

Football ace Chhetri comes out of retirement

Rediff.com6 Mar 2025

Sunil Chhetri returns to the national team,

PIX: Time draws close for Chhetri's final hurrah

PIX: Time draws close for Chhetri's final hurrah

Rediff.com30 May 2024

Chhetri, who has scored 94 goals from 150 international appearances and the other 26 around him will now continue their training camp in Kolkata, where they will have their first on-field training session on Thursday, May 30.

World Cup qualifiers: 15-goal Qatar leads routs in Asia

World Cup qualifiers: 15-goal Qatar leads routs in Asia

Rediff.com4 Sep 2015

Qatar smashed 15 unanswered goals past Bhutan and the United Arab Emirates knocked in 10 against Malaysia in a lopsided round of World Cup qualifiers across Asia on Thursday