'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.'
Regional football powerhouses, including UEFA, AFC, and CONCACAF, are reportedly discussing a vote of no confidence against FIFA President Gianni Infantino. This move comes after Infantino angered them with a proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors. Despite significant opposition, Infantino retains support from some member associations, particularly from Africa, complicating any challenge to his leadership ahead of the 2027 election.
Bollywood actor John Abraham and cricket legend Jonty Rhodes unveiled the Rotterdam Dockers' team jersey for the inaugural European T20 Premier League, a new tournament featuring six city-based franchises across Europe.
The International Cycling Union (UCI) has praised India's "outstanding success" in its nationwide World Bicycle Day celebrations, which involved approximately 200 cities and towns across 28 States and Union Territories. UCI President David Lappartient commended the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) for its remarkable organisational efforts and also lauded the launch of the Asmita Women's League, a grassroots programme aimed at promoting gender equity in cycling.
FIFA plans to create a $20 billion subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to manage the World Cup and other events, offering up to 20% stakes to external investors, a move that has drawn fierce criticism from UEFA, who accused the governing body of putting the game's 'soul' up for sale.
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.
AFC Executive Committee member Shaji Prabhakaran advocates for a balanced, long-term strategy for integrating OCI and PIO players into Indian football, stressing it's not a complete solution but a part of broader development. He also analyses recent World Cup semifinals, highlighting Spain's tactical dominance and Argentina's fighting spirit.
Athletics bodies of India and Russia are exploring a long-term cooperation in organising training camps, grassroots development works and mutual participation of their players in their respective competitions.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced a multi-year partnership with Dream Sports Foundation (DSF) to strengthen U16 football in India, focusing on grassroots development and a cohesive pathway for young players.
The Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) has partnered with Tata Steel Limited to train young footballers from the state at the Tata Football Academy (TFA) in Jamshedpur, providing professional exposure to selected boys and girls across various age categories.
Ahona Ray and Somdev Sengupta powered U Mumba TT to their maiden Dream UTT Juniors title with a 5-2 win over Dabang Delhi TTC in Panaji, capping a memorable campaign for India's rising table tennis stars.
Underlining that students are the "architects of India's future," President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said the government is taking comprehensive steps to reform public examinations to completely curb paper leaks and unfair means, making the system transparent, secure, and trustworthy.
The Arunachal Olympic Association (AOA) has submitted a proposal to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to host the 4th North East Games in 2026, aiming to boost sports development in the region.
In her address to the nation on the eve of the country's 80th Independence Day, the president stressed that just as government and society remain united to ensure national security, everyone must contribute through joint and concerted efforts to safeguard the present and future of students.
The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, met with the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) co-founder and ambassador, Yuvraj Singh and CEO Uttam Mundy at his office and praised the efforts being made to promote the sport across India.
Under the partnership, the Haryana Steelers' performance staff will conduct four masterclasses annually for academy athletes and coaches, focusing on technical, tactical, and physical development.
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has pledged its full support to establish the Pune Grand Tour as the world's fourth Grand Tour, aiming to transform it into a leading global sports tourism destination. The UCI praised the event's quality, crowd discipline, and rapid execution, committing expertise for its long-term growth and grassroots cycling development in India.
The Indian Sports Ministry, led by Minister Manuskh Mandaviya, is establishing a dedicated Task Force to explore the revival of Formula One racing in India. This initiative follows a meeting with key stakeholders, aiming to assess the challenges and benefits of hosting major motorsport events, with a target of bringing F1 back by 2028. The Task Force will recommend a comprehensive policy framework to support motorsports growth, leveraging India's significant F1 fanbase.
The inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games will be held in Chhattisgarh, featuring seven medal sports and aiming to empower tribal athletes and promote grassroots inclusion.
The inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games will be held in Chhattisgarh, featuring seven medal sports and aiming to empower tribal athletes and promote grassroots inclusion.
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) is set to introduce approximately 7.5 lakh school students to the sport of shooting as part of its 75th foundation anniversary celebrations.
Former World Champion Viswanathan Anand has reversed his earlier decision not to seek another term and will contest the election for the FIDE Deputy President's post.
FIDE's decision to shortlist the All India Chess Federation for a prestigious FIDE Excellence Award has ignited a fierce debate within the Indian chess community.
Advanced Impactor. an AI-powered platform, aims to modernise cricket coaching with real-time performance analytics.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced that the Khelo India Tribal Games will be held annually in the state following the success of the inaugural edition. The event aims to provide a platform for tribal athletes to showcase their talent and gain national recognition.
Reigning champions U Mumba secured their first victory of Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 7, defeating unbeaten Dabang Delhi TTC 8-7 in a thrilling encounter. Anusha Kutumbale was the hero, winning a dramatic Golden Point decider in the final women's singles match. Meanwhile, in the UTT Juniors competition, Dempo Goa Challengers became the first team to reach the semifinals, and HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades strengthened their playoff bid.
Ski and Snowboard India (SSI) elected Tanveer Singh Bajwa as its president and Mohammad Arshad as secretary general following elections conducted under the supervision of an Election Officer in accordance with directions of the Delhi High Court.
Jay Shah received the Outstanding Contribution to Sports Award from Piyush Goyal at the Indian Business Leader Awards in Mumbai.
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup comes to the United States, Bay Area soccer clubs and supporters hope the tournament will inspire a new generation of fans and strengthen the region's thriving grassroots football culture.
Virat Kohli has emerged as the highest earner in IPL history, grossing Rs 230 crore. Kolkata Knight Riders leads franchise valuations at over Rs 19,200 crore. The average IPL team valuation is projected to jump to USD 15 billion by 2032.
The All India Tennis Association (AITA) leadership, led by President Chintan Parikh and Secretary General Sunder Iyer, has pledged to prioritise player welfare, transparent governance, and athlete representation if given a full term. They aim to transform Indian tennis by addressing past administrative issues and fostering a player-centric environment.
World Cup fever has gripped Houston, but across the city the unmistakable sound of leather ball on willow bat can be heard as baseball mounds give way to cricket pitches and the gentleman's game begins to take hold in Texas.
Former India doubles player Purav Raja has called for a complete clean-up of Indian tennis administration, emphasising the need for accountability and transparency at all levels. He also questioned the eligibility of some office-bearers in the 2024 elections.
The Indian men's football team, participating in the Unity Cup in the UK, was warmly welcomed at India House in London ahead of their match against Zimbabwe. The team interacted with fans and shared insights during a reception hosted by the High Commission of India.
UP Rudras announced on Monday that they are withdrawing from the Hockey India League (HIL) due to financial viability of the league.
Punjab Kings co-owner Mohit Burman has expressed the franchise's interest in owning a team in the Women's Premier League at some point, despite the BCCI's current stance against immediate expansion.
A grassroots football academy in Punjab is using football to combat drug abuse and develop young talent, addressing key issues in Indian football's grassroots development.
Viswanathan Anand will not seek re-election for a third term as Deputy President of FIDE.
Exploring memorable scenes that celebrate football in the movies.
Mexico counts more than 135,000 missing people, a figure that has surged since 2006 when then-President Felipe Calderon launched a war against the country's drug cartels.
