Former India captain Sunil Chhetri admitted to feeling "a little jealous" about the current national team getting the chance to play against footballing powerhouses Brazil and Uruguay, an opportunity he never had during his extensive international career. He expressed excitement for the team while also backing the coach's selection decisions and encouraging the young talent.
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.
India U-15 head coach Bibiano Fernandes shares his philosophy for the upcoming FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan. He emphasises developing a strong footballing foundation, tactical flexibility, and good character among his young players, as they prepare to face teams like Laos, Bahrain, and Senegal starting October 24.
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.
The first five matches of the Indian Super League 2026-27 season have garnered significant viewership on YouTube, with 65 million views and 52 million viewers. The opening week also saw high concurrent viewership, particularly for the Inter Kashi versus Kerala Blasters FC match, and strong engagement across both English and Hindi feeds, underscoring the league's growing digital presence and the importance of multilingual content.
India's head coach Khalid Jamil took full responsibility for the national football team's heavy 1-6 defeat to Uruguay, refusing to blame the weather interruption or player concentration lapses. This loss, following a 0-4 defeat to Brazil, concluded India's FIFA international window with two significant losses. Jamil acknowledged his own mistakes and stressed the need for greater concentration and immediate problem-solving, while Uruguay coach Diego Forlan praised his team's adaptation and India's initial pressing.
India faces a challenging FIFA international friendly against two-time world champions Uruguay in Kolkata, aiming to recover from a 0-4 defeat by Brazil.
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.
Jamshedpur FC players, including senior India footballers, have made an emotional appeal to the Tata Group to reverse its decision to withdraw the club from the Indian Super League (ISL) and dismantle the senior team, citing the impact on young players and the future of Indian football.
Two-time world champions Uruguay have arrived in Kolkata for their FIFA International Friendly against India on October 6, setting the stage for a week of exciting international football that also features a match between India and five-time world champions Brazil.
India's eFootball team concluded its Asian Games campaign after failing to qualify for the quarterfinals, despite securing a draw against Uzbekistan and a walkover from Mongolia. Uzbekistan advanced from Group F due to their win against Mongolia.
The Indian Super League 2026-27 season is set to begin with renewed optimism after a turbulent previous season.
India's national football team will host Panama in an international friendly on September 26, marking their first encounter. This match is part of a series of fixtures against 2026 World Cup participants, including Brazil and New Zealand, aimed at providing valuable exposure for the Blue Tigers.
Japan's cricket captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming and all-rounder Charlie Hara-Hinze believe the upcoming historic T20 match against India on September 22 can serve as a crucial springboard for the sustained growth of cricket in Japan, a country traditionally dominated by baseball.
Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri expressed a mix of excitement and 'a little jealousy' about the national team's unprecedented opportunity to play against football giants Brazil and Uruguay in October 2026, an experience he never had in his two-decade career.
Kolkata's passionate football fans have shown immense enthusiasm for the upcoming India-Brazil friendly, with lower-priced tickets selling out within an hour of going online. India is set to play five-time world champions Brazil on October 3, followed by a match against two-time world champions Uruguay, providing a significant test for the Indian squad ahead of crucial Asian Cup qualifiers.
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.
A delegation from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) visited Kolkata to inspect venues and infrastructure for the upcoming international friendly against India on October 3. The inspection covered the stadium, training facilities, accommodation, and security, with West Bengal's Sports Minister assuring world-class arrangements.
The India U20 men's football team played a 0-0 draw against Yemen in the first of two friendly matches in Bengaluru, as part of their preparation for the upcoming AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers.
Indian football icon I M Vijayan has voiced his enthusiasm for the upcoming India-Brazil international friendly in Kolkata on October 3. He believes the visit by the five-time World Cup champions will provide invaluable experience and lasting memories for young Indian players, significantly boosting the sport's profile and attracting global attention to Indian football.
Brazilian coach Carlo Ancelotti praised India's organised defence and counter-attacking efforts despite Brazil's 4-0 victory in a friendly match. Ancelotti noted the game became easier for Brazil after their first goal and highlighted the match as a test for younger players in Brazil's rebuilding phase. India's coach Khalid Jamil defended goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and stressed the importance of high-level matches for the Indian team.
John Abraham, owner of Northeast United, believes the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season will mark a significant turning point for Indian football. With a new club-led domestic structure and a return to the traditional home-and-away format, Abraham envisions a "paradigm shift" where football could rival cricket's popularity. He also highlighted NEUFC's regional impact and their ambition to win the ISL title.
India's footballing future was discussed in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday by Congress member Jose K Mani, as he cited tiny Dutch-Caribbean island Curacao's World Cup qualification to ask Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya about the long-term plan for sport in the country that is on a downward spiral.
The India U17 men's football team played out a 1-1 draw against Myanmar in their first friendly match in Thanlyin. Myanmar took the lead in the first half, but India equalised through a penalty in the second half, despite dominating possession.
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.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced that the 2026-27 Indian Football League (IFL) season will begin on October 30. Following a successful 2025-26 season with significantly increased viewership, the upcoming season will feature new regulations, including a limit of three foreign players on the pitch, and an expanded footprint with new venues in Nagaland and Odisha. Discussions also covered the IFL Charter, budget, and broadcast partnerships.
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.
Tata Steel has announced the sale of its entire 100% equity stake in Jamshedpur Football to Churchill Brothers for Rs 100.
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.
The 65th Subroto Cup International Football Tournament commenced in New Delhi, featuring a junior girls' match where Meghalaya defeated Chandigarh 2-0. The opening ceremony included vibrant performances and an address by Air Marshal S Sivakumar, highlighting the tournament's role in promoting young talent.
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.
India has withdrawn from the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup to prioritise a high-profile international friendly against five-time world champions Brazil in October. This decision, confirmed by AIFF, means India will miss facing Southeast Asian teams in a FIFA-sanctioned competition, opting instead for a more challenging opponent to improve its international standing.
Brazil's head coach Carlo Ancelotti praised India's defensive organisation and counter-attacking efforts despite his team's 4-0 victory in a friendly match in Kolkata. Ancelotti highlighted India's ability to create difficult moments for Brazil and used the match as an opportunity to assess young Brazilian talent, expressing satisfaction with their performance during the international window.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced the new season of the Indian Women's League (IWL) will commence in October, alongside IWL 2. The federation also revealed significant changes including higher coaching licence requirements, revised disciplinary rules, and an ambitious long-term expansion strategy aiming for 12 teams by 2032 to professionalise women's football in India.
Indian Teqball players Declan Marshall Gonsalves and Mohamed Anas Imran Beg were eliminated from the men's doubles competition at the Asian Games after losing both their group matches.
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.
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.
Persistent rain has caused significant disruptions at the Asian Games, affecting tennis, surfing, and cricket, leading to India and Pakistan advancing to the T20 semi-finals due to higher rankings after their quarter-final matches were washed out.
The Brazil national football team's training session in Kolkata drew an unprecedented media turnout, resembling a World Cup event, ahead of their friendly match against India. Despite the excitement, the event was marred by significant accreditation chaos for journalists. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti's squad is building towards the 2028 Copa America, with the India match serving as a crucial assessment opportunity.
