Legendary Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan, now coaching Uruguay, believes India can significantly improve its football standing despite cricket's dominance. He emphasizes the importance of grassroots development, strong domestic leagues, and consistent exposure to high-level international competition to nurture young talent and elevate the sport in the country. Forlan also shared his positive experiences with Indian football passion during his ISL stint.
India's women's football team, the Blue Tigresses, will play two international friendlies against 27th-ranked Russia in Kolkata. These matches serve as a crucial test for India's young squad, with an average age of 23, as they prepare for next year's AFC Women's Asian Cup. Head coach Crispin Chettri views this as an opportunity for emerging players to prove themselves against a stronger opponent.
Indian women's football team head coach Crispin Chettri expressed satisfaction with his young side's character despite a 0-4 loss to Russia in an international friendly.
Panama's coach, Thomas Christiansen, suggests India can learn from Panama's football growth despite baseball's dominance, highlighting the need for league improvement, better facilities, and attracting top players to boost football's popularity and global standing. Midfielder Carlos Harvey also advocates for bringing in star players to increase visibility.
Indian football coach Khalid Jamil and goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu view the upcoming FIFA international friendly against World Cup participant Panama as a crucial learning opportunity. They believe playing stronger teams is essential for India's development and ambition to become a world-class football nation, despite Panama's superior ranking and World Cup experience. The match is seen as a chance to understand the demands of top-tier football and integrate younger players into the squad.
Indian footballer Jay Gupta expresses his hopes that the upcoming friendly matches against five-time world champions Brazil and Uruguay will ignite a revolution for football in India, similar to Kapil Dev's 1983 World Cup win for cricket. He views the unprecedented fixtures as a crucial opportunity for the Indian team to test their calibre against elite opposition and learn, aiming to build on their recent performance against Panama.
India's eFootball team, featuring Danial Patel and Chinmay Sahoo, commenced their Asian Games campaign with a walkover against Mongolia and a goalless draw against Uzbekistan in Group F matches, marking a positive start to the competition.
Uruguay defeated India 6-1 in an international friendly, marking another heavy loss for the Indian team against a two-time world champion. Despite an early equalizer from Anirudh Thapa, Uruguay dominated the second half with goals from Maximiliano Araujo, Rodrigo Zalazar, Juan Manuel Sanabria, and Rodrigo Aguirre, following an initial penalty by Darwin Nunez. This defeat concludes a challenging international window for India, which also included a 0-4 loss to Brazil.
European football's governing body, UEFA, announced a moment of silence and a solidarity banner at all Champions League matches this week to support victims of devastating flash floods in Nepal, where the death toll has risen and thousands remain missing.
Football administrator Ranjit Bajaj has filed a writ petition in court, seeking directions for the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to immediately schedule and complete elections for its Executive Committee. Bajaj argues that the AIFF has already adopted a compliant constitution, making further deferment unjustified.
Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany has been hospitalised in a stable condition after collapsing during reserve-team training, with sporting director Max Eberl confirming he will be sidelined for weeks due to a virus.
PETA has urged Crystal Palace to retire bald eagle mascot Phoenix, citing animal welfare concerns, stadium-related stress and safety risks, while calling for an end to live animal mascots.
India's U15 football team secured a 2-1 victory over Cameroon in their second Group K match at the FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival Azerbaijan 2026. An early own goal gave India the lead, which was restored by R Lalremruatfela after Cameroon equalised. Goalkeeper Jenit Ningthoujam's crucial saves ensured India's second consecutive win in the tournament.
India's U20 football team secured a historic qualification for the AFC U20 Asian Cup main tournament after a 20-year hiatus, following a dominant 3-0 victory over Bangladesh. Goals from Danny Meitei Laishram, Vishal Yadav, and Md Arbash sealed their spot as one of the best runners-up, with the main tournament scheduled for 2027 in China.
Leeds United climbed to third in the Premier League with a 4-1 victory over Newcastle, while Inter Milan staged a comeback to beat Udinese 5-3, maintaining their perfect Serie A start alongside AS Roma, who won 2-0 at Torino. In LaLiga, Betis continued their strong run with a win over Villarreal.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes criticised his team's mentality, stating they adopted a 'mood of defeat' after conceding an early goal in their 4-1 Champions League loss to Como, a result that intensifies pressure on manager Michael Carrick.
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey and West Bengal Minister Indranil Khan offered their perspectives on the Indian football team's 6-1 defeat against Uruguay. Chaubey highlighted the team's strong start and confidence, suggesting rain disrupted momentum, and stressed the importance of playing top-level opposition. Khan called the match a landmark moment for Indian football exposure but also criticised political interference in West Bengal's football ecosystem.
After a stunning 2-1 debut win against Mumbai City FC, Indian Super League newcomers Churchill Brothers are preparing to face defending champions East Bengal, with coach Dimitris Dimitriou emphasising continuous improvement and a competitive approach.
Bournemouth thrashed Manchester United 3-0 to intensify pressure on Michael Carrick, while Liverpool beat Brighton 2-0 to claim their first home league win and climb to fourth.
Churchill Brothers SC are set to face Punjab FC in an Indian Super League match in Margao. Churchill Brothers are looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat, with their coach apologising to fans and expecting a strong response. Punjab FC, known for their late goals and defensive organisation, are confident but wary of their opponents.
Tottenham Hotspur secured their first Premier League win in 148 days, beating Coventry City 3-1 at home, a result manager Roberto De Zerbi described as 'very happy' and a sign of playing 'much better than in other games'.
Leading African football administrators have publicly expressed their support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, offering him crucial backing ahead of next March's presidential election, despite his recent decision to abandon a controversial plan to sell a stake in future World Cup revenue.
Juventus secured a 2-0 home win over Parma in Serie A, with goals from substitutes Nico Gonzalez and Teun Koopmeiners.
East Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan are set to clash in the IFA Shield final on Thursday, a highly anticipated Kolkata derby. East Bengal aims to avenge last year's defeat and secure their 30th title, while Mohun Bagan seeks to retain the Shield and claim their 22nd. The match comes amidst a demanding schedule for both teams, particularly Mohun Bagan, with players returning from national duty, adding to the tactical challenges for coaches Panagiotis Dilmperis and Antonio Habas.
Kylian Mbappe scored two goals to lead Real Madrid to a convincing 4-1 victory over Sevilla, narrowing the gap on LaLiga leaders Barcelona to six points ahead of their crucial upcoming encounter.
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed respect for the Indian team ahead of their match in Kolkata, viewing it as an opportunity for his squad rather than a test. He discussed the challenges of managing a national team, the importance of commitment and joy in football, and the ongoing preparations for the 2026 World Cup, including significant squad changes and the blend of youth and experience. Ancelotti also reflected on Brazil's recent World Cup disappointment and the evolving nature of football.
Uruguay head coach Diego Forlan discusses the team's recent World Cup group-stage exits, emphasising the need for calm and confidence in rebuilding the squad. He highlights his philosophy of hard work, adaptability, and playing good football, while acknowledging the pressure of managing a national team with a rich history. Forlan also reflects on his initial games as coach and the importance of team cohesion.
'Our biggest opportunity lies with the younger age-group teams.' 'If you look at the senior national team, our chances are about 50-50.' 'The gap becomes smaller as you move down the age groups.' 'At the Under-20 level, it's closer to 60-40.' 'By the Under-17 level, it's around 80-20. That's where I feel we have our best chance.'
India's head coach Khalid Jamil and left-back Akash Mishra discuss the team's short recovery time and the significant challenge posed by two-time world champions Uruguay, following their 0-4 defeat to Brazil. Despite the demanding schedule, the team remains focused on performing well in the upcoming friendly, with players acknowledging the importance of competitive football.
India's head coach Khalid Jamil is preparing his team for a historic football match against five-time world champions Brazil. Jamil emphasizes handling pressure, keeping things simple, and giving their best, despite the significant gap in rankings. Defender Anwar Ali also stresses the importance of staying calm and following the coach's plan for the high-stakes encounter.
The Indian women's national football team, featuring several debutants, suffered a 0-4 defeat to a higher-ranked Russian side in the first of two international friendlies in Kolkata. Despite a strong defensive performance in the first half, Russia broke the deadlock before halftime and extended their lead in the second half, with substitute Kira Petukhova scoring twice. The match provided valuable experience for India's emerging players.
The Indian football team, ranked 138th, achieved a commendable 1-1 draw against world No. 44 Panama in a FIFA International friendly. Ryan Williams scored for India, while Omar Valencia equalised for Panama. This result is considered a significant achievement under coach Khalid Jamil and provides a morale boost ahead of upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Uruguay.
Mohun Bagan secured their 31st Calcutta Football League Premier Division title, their first since 2018, with a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Mohammedan Sporting despite being down to 10 men. Sahal Abdul Samad scored a brace, and Sayan Banerjee netted the winner, ending an eight-year title drought for the Mariners.
Germany coach Juergen Klopp acknowledges that while his team's results in the initial four international matches have been mixed, with only one win, he sees clear progress since their disappointing World Cup exit, particularly in their aggressive, high-tempo play.
Brazil's star centre-back Marquinhos discusses the significance of their FIFA international friendly against India in Kolkata. He views the match as a "golden opportunity" for the Selecao to gain experience and kickstart a new cycle after their disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign. Marquinhos acknowledges India's strong fan base for Brazil and emphasises the team's commitment to every game, regardless of its "friendly" status, as they focus on rebuilding confidence and winning.
Paris St Germain defeated Manchester City 4-2 in a thrilling Champions League encounter, with a dominant first-half performance. The match took place amidst scrutiny over City's financial breaches. Erling Haaland set a new record as the fastest player to reach 60 Champions League goals. Other notable results included Liverpool's 6-3 win over LASK, Aston Villa's 6-0 victory against Fenerbahce, and Real Madrid's dramatic 4-3 comeback against AS Roma.
The India U17 women's team secured a dominant 2-0 victory over Syria in their second Group E match of the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers. Anushka Kumari scored both goals, bringing her qualifiers tally to seven. This win gives the Young Tigresses six points ahead of their final group encounter against hosts Malaysia on October 11, with only group winners qualifying.
On a dramatic Tuesday in the Champions League, Club Brugge secured a stunning 4-3 victory over Inter Milan, highlighted by Nicolo Tresoldi's hat-trick. Elsewhere, Bayern Munich was held to a 3-3 draw by Viking Stavanger after a late equaliser, while Barcelona recovered from a deficit to defeat Galatasaray 4-1. Atletico Madrid also overcame Manchester United 2-0, and Arsenal secured a 3-0 win against Lille, marking a night of significant results for Europe's top clubs.
Former teammates Gouramangi Singh and Clifford Miranda meet in opposing dugouts as FC Goa take on Chennaiyin FC at Fatorda in the ISL opener on Saturday.
Ahead of England's World Cup clash in Mexico, discover the remarkable 200-year-old story of how Cornish miners introduced football and the famous Cornish pasty to the country, shaping Mexico's sporting and cultural identity.
