Since its inception in 2018, the AIFF Super Cup has steadily carved out a unique identity within Indian football. Designed as a pure knockout competition, the tournament tests qualities that league football often does not tactical adaptability, nerve under pressure, and the ability to deliver results without the cushion of long-term consistency. More than just…
East Bengal Women marked their entry into the continental club arena with an emphatic statement, cruising to a 4–0 victory over Bhutan’s Transport United Ladies FC in their opening match of the inaugural SAFF Women’s Club Championship in Kathmandu. Playing at the Dasharath Stadium, the Indian Women’s League champions showcased their superior organisation, physicality, and…
With the United Arab Emirates stepping aside, the race to host the 2031 AFC Asian Cup has transformed from a crowded contest into a strategic crossroads for Asian football. The 20th edition of the tournament, coinciding with the Asian Cup’s 75th anniversary, is no longer simply about who can deliver matches on time. It is…
FC Goa defended their AIFF Super Cup crown in the most testing of circumstances, edging past East Bengal FC in a nerve-shredding penalty shootout after a tense, goalless final at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao on Sunday. With neither side able to break the deadlock across 120 minutes of regulation and extra time,…
The AIFF Super Cup 2025–26 final in Goa sets the stage for a compelling clash between two of Indian football’s most ambitious clubs: East Bengal FC vs FC Goa. Beyond the trophy, this final carries continental consequences, pride, unfinished business, and a chance to define the trajectory of the season. For East Bengal, it is…
East Bengal FC produced a composed, powerful, and tactically assured performance to defeat Punjab FC 3–1 in the first semi-final of the AIFF Super Cup 2025 at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa. With goals from Mohammed Rashid, Kevin Sibille, and captain Saul Crespo, the Red and Gold Brigade booked their place in a third Super…
The second semi-final of the AIFF Super Cup 2025 brought drama, controversy, missed chances, and a relentless Fatorda crowd that refused to quieten down. FC Goa, carrying the pressure of defending their title on home soil, overcame pre-match chaos and a spirited Mumbai City FC fightback to secure a 2–1 victory and book their place…
In a footballing era defined by rapid transitions, data-led scouting, and the unforgiving churn of elite academies, the career of Dilan Markanday stands out for its symbolism as much as its substance. The 24-year-old winger, now a central figure at Chesterfield FC in EFL League Two, represents both the harsh realities of English football’s development…
The 2025 Vatsalya SAFF Women’s Club Championship is more than just another addition to the regional football calendar it is a foundational shift in South Asian women’s football. Hosted in Kathmandu from December 5 to 20, the inaugural tournament marks the first time a South Asian regional body has launched an international women’s club competition,…
In a global football landscape increasingly defined by dynamic wingers, data-driven recruitment, and multicultural identities, few players embody the modern game’s intersections more completely than André Filipe Ferreira Lacximicant, André Lacximicant. At 24, the Portuguese-Indian attacker has emerged as one of the most intriguing talents in Liga Portugal, combining elite creativity, high shot volume, and…
Few fixtures in Indian football carry the emotional weight, psychological baggage and narrative tension of FC Goa vs Mumbai City FC. Over the last five years, no opponent has tormented Goa more consistently than the Islanders. No team has chiselled deeper scars into their competitive identity. And no rivalry has swung so dramatically between control…
The first Super Cup semi-final between East Bengal vs Punjab FC arrives with contrasting narratives, divergent histories, and two teams that have built their tournament campaigns on completely different footballing philosophies. Scheduled for December 4 at Fatorda, the match carries significance that extends well beyond domestic bragging rights: the winner edges one step closer to…
Indian football arrived at a moment of unprecedented crisis on Wednesday, forcing the Union Sports Ministry to intervene directly in a governance dispute that had pushed the country’s top-tier league to the brink of suspension. With the 15-year Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL)…
As Indian football steps into 2026, the sport finds itself at a critical intersection one that mixes genuine progress at the youth level with deep structural vulnerabilities at home. The All India Football Federation (AIFF), buoyed by multiple continental qualifications, enters the year with unprecedented competitive opportunities across the women’s and youth pathways. But the…
The Indian women’s national football team delivered a resounding 8–1 victory over Dubai-based club Precision Football in a closed-door friendly during the late 2025 FIFA international window. While the match was not against a FIFA-ranked national team, the performance offered crucial insights into the Blue Tigresses’ tactical evolution, attacking versatility, and readiness for a demanding…
The Indian women’s football team recorded an important 3–1 victory over Banaat FC during their UAE tour, a result that arrives at a critical moment in their build-up to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026. More than a routine friendly, the match served as a focused tactical examination against a structured, professionally run opponent led…
Indian football stands at a rare crossroads. For the first time in its modern history, four national teams Senior Women, U-20 Women, U-17 Men, and U-17 Women have simultaneously qualified for their respective AFC Asian Cup finals, each serving as a direct qualification gateway to a FIFA World Cup. The year 2026, therefore, presents an…
The All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) adoption of the Supreme Court mandated rule banning dual posts marks a watershed moment in Indian football administration. While the reform appears straightforward on paper no executive committee member can simultaneously hold positions in both the AIFF and a state association the ripple effects will reshape the power dynamics,…
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has unveiled a comprehensive commercial rights framework for the Indian Women’s League (IWL) and IWL 2, covering the five seasons from 2025–26 to 2030–31. Designed to create long-term stability and robust financial incentives, this new model marks a significant shift in how women’s football will be governed and monetized…
India U17 Qualify for AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026, a Thrilling Campaign in the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers in Ahmedabad India topped a brutal group to qualify for AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026. Ahmedabad’s EKA Arena by TransStadCo became a battleground of dreams this November, as India’s U17 men’s football team embarked on…
India will return to the AFC U17 Asian Cup for the tenth time a moment that carries the weight of history, resilience, and the promise of a new generation stepping forward. For a nation that has seen its youth teams rise, stumble, and rise again, this qualification feels especially significant. After three consecutive appearances in…
In a night of extraordinary resolve, emotional swings, and unforgettable drama at the EKA Arena in Ahmedabad, the India U17 men’s football team defeated Iran 2–1 to seal their place at the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 in Saudi Arabia. For a side that had experienced every possible result in their campaign so far a…
The All India Football Federation’s new I-League Commercial Rights RFP (2026–2030) arrives at a critical moment for Indian football. Following the failed commercial tender for the Indian Super League which received no bids due to steep financial demands and excessive operational risk the AIFF has moved quickly to restructure its approach. The newly issued I-League…
Over the past few years, India’s Northeast has witnessed one of its most significant periods of Indian football-focused investment and attention. Under AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, the region has experienced a wave of national tournaments, international fixtures, infrastructure projects, and developmental initiatives that have transformed its footballing landscape. For a region long known as the…
Shaan Hundal’s career has long been defined by potential flashes of brilliance punctuated by abrupt dips, moments of elite finishing followed by periods of struggle. But in 2025, the narrative finally shifted. At 26, the York United striker has produced the most complete, efficient, and mature football of his professional journey, transforming himself from a…
India’s U-17 team suffered a major setback in their AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers campaign after falling 0–2 to Lebanon in Ahmedabad on Thursday evening. The defeat not only pushed the Blue Colts down to third place in Group D but has also created a scenario where only a comprehensive victory against group leaders Iran…
The 79th National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy 2025–26 arrives as one of the most consequential editions in the tournament’s long history. More than a traditional inter-state competition, this season becomes the testing ground for the AIFF’s most radical regulatory overhaul the strict implementation of the home-born player mandate, which now requires every footballer…
Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s decision to part ways with Spanish head coach José Francisco Molina marks one of the most dramatic mid-season pivots in recent Indian Super League history. The separation, mutual on paper but deeply rooted in escalating internal tensions, represents the collapse of a tenure defined by both historic success and a sudden…
India’s U17 boys kept their AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers 2026 hopes firmly alive with a stirring 3–1 comeback victory over Chinese Taipei at the Eka Arena, thanks to a magnificent hat-trick from captain Dallalmuon Gangte. On an evening that began with anxiety and early setbacks, the Blue Colts showed maturity, resilience, and attacking conviction…
Odisha FC’s decision to part ways with head coach Sergio Lobera barely a year after extending his contract until 2026 signals one of the most consequential moments in the club’s history. What initially appeared to be a footballing decision has, upon closer examination, revealed itself as a direct consequence of the deepening governance crisis that…
FC Goa’s AFC Champions League Two campaign reaches its decisive moment on November 26, when the Indian side travel to the intimidating Al-Zawraa Stadium in Baghdad for a must-win clash against Al Zawraa SC. Rooted at the bottom of Group D with zero points from four matches, the Gaurs’ continental hopes hang by the thinnest…
The abrupt withdrawal of the Indian Arrows Women Juniors from the 2024–25 Indian Women’s League 2 is more than just a scheduling issue or financial adjustment it is a defining symptom of the structural and administrative breakdown inside the All India Football Federation (AIFF). What should have been a stable, long-term developmental project for Indian…
Maharashtra has launched one of the most ambitious grassroots football programs in India’s history Project Mahadeva, a five-year, state-backed initiative designed to overhaul how young footballers are identified, trained, educated, and prepared for international pathways. At its core, Project Mahadeva aims to transform raw talent from rural and urban regions into professionally trained athletes ready…
The Indian football men’s national team’s 2025 campaign stands as a study in contrasts a year that oscillated between stagnation and revival, between deep-rooted structural shortcomings and glimpses of renewed competitive edge. What began with instability under former head coach Manolo Márquez eventually transformed into a more disciplined, resilient outfit under new boss Khalid Jamil….
The cancellation of the Indian women’s football team’s European tour to North Macedonia scheduled during the November FIFA International Window has emerged as one of the most consequential administrative lapses in recent Indian football history. What should have been a vital preparatory assignment ahead of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 instead turned into a…
The All Indian Football Federation (AIFF) enters one of the most critical phases in its modern history as it prepares for its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on December 20, 2025. What is usually a procedural gathering has transformed into a high-stakes event, unfolding amid an unprecedented governance and financial meltdown. With the Indian Super League…
India begin their AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers 2026 campaign with a high-stakes opening clash against Palestine, India U17 vs Palestine U17, on 22 November 2025 in Ahmedabad, a match that could define both teams’ fortunes in what is one of the most competitive groups in this qualification cycle. With only the group winner earning…
The India U-17 Men’s National Football Team enters a decisive chapter as the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers kick off in Ahmedabad from 22–30 November 2025. The EKA Arena by TransStadia, packed with home fans and electric energy, is set to become the site where India’s next generation attempts to reclaim its continental standing….
India’s dramatic plunge to FIFA Rank 142 in November 2025 marks one of the most alarming chapters in modern Indian football history. It is not just a number it is the clearest statistical confirmation of a footballing system that has collapsed across competitive, technical, administrative, and commercial lines. Based on the latest diagnostic report, India’s…
East Bengal’s hopes of sealing early qualification to the AFC Women’s Champions League quarterfinals took a hit in Wuhan, where defending champions Wuhan Jiangda delivered a sharp, disciplined performance to secure a 2–0 victory. The match, played on Thursday afternoon, was shaped decisively in the opening minutes as Chinese superstar Wang Shuang struck twice inside…
The AFC Women’s Champions League (AWCL) 2025/26 enters a defining phase as East Bengal FC (W) gear up to face Wuhan Jiangda FC (W) in a pivotal Group B Matchday 2 fixture on November 20. What was expected to be a routine step for the reigning champions has instead transformed into one of the most…
The Indian Women’s Football Team will travel to North Macedonia on November 20 for one of its most strategically significant international exposure tours in recent years. Falling within the FIFA International Women’s Match Window (November 24–December 2), the tour is a carefully engineered component of the Blue Tigresses’ long-term build-up to the AFC Women’s Asian…
Bangladesh produced a memorable night in Dhaka, beating India 1–0 to record a famous victory in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. Shekh Morsalin’s composed finish in the 11th minute proved enough as the home side dug in behind the lead, defended doggedly and held on as the crowd erupted in relief and celebration. For India,…
When India walk out at the National Stadium in Dhaka on November 18 for India vs Bangladesh, it will not feel like a match between two teams already knocked out of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifying race. The fixture may be a dead rubber on paper, but India vs Bangladesh has never been a…
East Bengal FC Women’s stunning 3–1 victory over Bam Khatoon FC on Matchday 1 of the AFC Women’s Champions League 2025/26 has done more than rewrite sporting history. It has created a financial and strategic milestone for Indian women’s football, positioning the club and the Indian Women’s League (IWL) at the beginning of a new…
When 20-year-old defender Dane Saju signed for HNK Brotnjo Čitluk in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the move sparked interest across Indian football circles. Headlines framed it as another young Indian “entering Europe,” but beneath the celebratory narrative lies a far more complex reality one that reveals both the progress and pitfalls of India’s evolving player-export ecosystem….
East Bengal FC could not have hoped for a better start to their AFC Women’s Champions League 2025/26 campaign. Playing at the Hankou Cultural Sports Centre in Wuhan, the Indian champions delivered a composed, efficient and often dominant performance to defeat Iran’s Bam Khatoon FC 3-1 in their Group B opener on Monday. Goals from…
Indian football stands at its most fragile moment since the formation of the Indian Super League (ISL) in 2014. What was launched as a bold, reformative project to modernize Indian football has entered a dangerous period of uncertainty. At the heart of the crisis lies the impending expiry of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between…
In global football conversations, the Premier League (PL) stands as the gold standard for how a domestic league can transform an entire sporting ecosystem and national economy. In contrast, India’s Indian Super League (ISL) operates in a vastly different environment one where football fights for space, investment, and attention in a cricket-dominated landscape. But the…
When East Bengal Women lifted the 2024–25 Indian Women’s League trophy in April, the celebrations stretched far beyond the club’s red-and-gold faithful. That victory did more than crown a deserving champion it opened the door to the biggest stage an Indian women’s club has ever stepped onto, the AFC Women’s Champions League Group Stage. Now,…
