Saudi Arabia announced it would bid only minutes after soccer's global governing body called for Asia and Oceania bids on October 4.
The Kerala government announced on Wednesday that the Argentina national football team, led by legendary player Lionel Messi, will visit the state next year for an international friendly match, which Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hailed as a tribute to state people's passion for soccer.
Tuesday's match holds importance for India as any slip-up could be disastrous in their bid to make it to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
The many moods of the fans at the World Cup in Russia
The World Cup for India has a special cultural significance, one which transcends the usual emotions that accompany sports, writes Desh Gaurav Chopra Sekhri
Defending champion Germany suffered a shocking defeat, while Brazil, Spain and Argentina -- the other pre-tournament favourites -- managed just draws in their opening round matches.
From data analysts to financial firms, everyone has their views on who could win the FIFA World Cup, starting in Brazil next month. Here are some interesting predictions by two international firms -- Opta and Goldman Sachs -- about the how tournament could pan out. Read on...
Rediff.com gives you an inside view of the soccer ball factory in Sialkot, in eastern Pakistan, that produces the official match balls for the World Cup...
Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday said the government is riding on "mainstay" football to make India a sporting powerhouse and announced the formation of five zonal committees to hunt talent across the country.
No one expects Nigeria to win, but by now everyone knows that shirt...
The AIFF sacked Stimac in June, terminating his contract exactly a year before it was to expire in the wake of the side's ouster from the second round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers despite getting a relatively easy draw.
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest forwards of all time but his latest struggles with Manchester United and Portugal have raised many questions about whether his brilliant career is nearing a bitter end.
Belgium's Eden Hazard is making the strongest bid for that crown.
The opening ceremony featured Jennifer Lopez, rapper Pitbull and Brazilian pop star Claudia Leitte who sang the official Fifa World Cup theme 'We Are One'.
Nita Ambani hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that he has great vision to transform India into a global sporting powerhouse.
Brazil increased their lead at the top and Spain dropped below Italy.
You may be entranced by the foot magic, but don't miss the hair cuts!
Australia and New Zealand were handed the right to host the 2023 Women's World Cup soccer tournament by a comfortable margin after a vote by the FIFA Council on Thursday. Their joint proposal beat a rival bid from Colombia to host the tournament which is being expanded to 32 teams.
The Indian government has informed Parliament that there are currently over 10,000 Indian prisoners, including undertrials, in foreign jails. The Ministry of External Affairs shared country-wise data, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE having the highest number of Indian prisoners. The government has assured that it prioritizes the safety and well-being of Indians abroad and provides consular assistance, legal aid, and financial support to those imprisoned.
The event will be telecast on MSM's sports channels -- Sony Six and Sony Six HD in English - and Sony Aath, the network's only regional channel, in Bengali.
Brazil have become the first team to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, maintaining their proud record as the tournament's only ever-present side with a little help from Lionel Messi's foul mouth and lightly-regarded Peru.
'I know it's a pressure on the boys that it has been one year, but soon we will win a game. Don't worry, we are on the right track.'
The many moods of the fans at the World Cup in Russia
'I think the comparison with 1936 is certainly right and frankly, I think it is an emetic (repulsive) prospect to think of Putin glorying in this sporting event'
Inspired by the iconic trophy lift of cricket captain Rohit Sharma during the 2024 T20I World Cup in June, the chess players replicated the gesture.
Nasser Hussain, an astute reader of the game that he'd played for more than a decade internationally, expressed his amazement at Virat Kohli's intensity and his hunger to succeed. Kohli has been amassing big runs for the past few years but Hussain said the India captain is not worried about personal records.
The Germans suffered their earliest tournament ouster in 80 years when they crashed out of the first round at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. They were also eliminated in the Last 16 at last year's Euro.
Werder Bremen's Niclas Fuellkrug made his Germany debut at the age of 29 this week, scoring the winner in their warmup match against Oman on Wednesday after coming on as a substitute.
Dutch fans right to boycott World Cup-Van Gaal
The Indian senior national football team will play their home match of the Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and 2019 AFC Asian Cup at the Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium at Sajusarai in Guwahati.
'...there's a feeling of being indebted to the sport, to my team, that I get to do this.'
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.
The Netherlands gained sweet revenge for defeat in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final by beating Spain 5-1 in the opening fixture of Group B in Salvador late on Friday night. Their jubilant fans soon turned Brazil into a sea of orange.
Messi and Iniesta shared the Barca dressing between 2005 and 2018, together winning nine La Liga titles, four Champions League crowns and won two trebles in 2009 and 2015.
It seems that Brazil World Cup fever has taken over Bollywood as well, with Shah Rukh Khan taking to Twitter to express his excitement over the sports fiesta.
The footballers heading to Carnival capital will hope to make fate walk their path. But there are some big names who couldn't make the big trip for some reason or the other. Rediff.com presents the top 16 players you won't be seeing in Brazil.
Spain fell victim to own patience and Russian resistance
India finally tasted victory after five straight losses in their 2018 football World Cup qualifying campaign as they beat Guam by a solitary goal in Bangalore on Thursday.
Technology that could change football in coming years.
Police staffing is so stretched in several Russian cities as officers are deployed to bolster security at soccer World Cup venues that one union leader says criminals could benefit.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances