The Indian women’s football team returns to action this week in Shillong, kicking off a crucial phase in their preparation for next year’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026. The opening fixture between India vs Iran of the Tri-Nation International Friendlies marks not just another international matchday but the beginning of a long-term strategic cycle…
The FIFA World Rankings update of October 17, 2025, delivered a sobering reality check for Indian football. The Blue Tigers have slumped to rank 136, their lowest position in nearly a decade, and their poorest standing since November 2016 (rank 137). This latest slide down two places from 134 is not a mere statistical dip….
The Blue Tigers, Indian Men Football carried the hopes of 1.4 billion, only to leave the field empty-handed and bruised. That’s the story of India’s AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifying campaign a journey that began with ambition and ended in disarray. For the first time in over a decade, India will miss Asia’s grandest football…
Indian women’s football has experienced several false dawns but 2025 stands apart as the year the sun truly rose. For the first time in history, India’s Senior, U20, and U17 women’s teams all qualified on merit for their respective AFC Asian Cup 2026 tournaments. Between June and October, across three continents and 15 tournament matches,…
The Young Tigresses have roared their way into history. Indian U17 Women’s National Football Team completed a stunning comeback to beat Uzbekistan 2–1 in Bishkek, sealing their qualification for the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 to be held in China. This is not just another victory it’s a moment of transformation for Indian women’s…
As the sun sets over Bishkek’s Dolen Omurzakov Stadium on October 17, 2025, the Indian U17 women’s national team the Young Tigresses stand on the verge of history for AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 A result against Uzbekistan will not only define their campaign but could also mark a generational milestone in Indian women’s…
In the same financial year that Indian football federation reported one of its largest-ever surpluses ₹18.45 crore the sport’s most critical foundation, grassroots development, saw its funding slashed by 78%. The All India Football Federation (AIFF)’s 2024–25 budget, approved earlier this year, paints a picture of financial contradiction rising international income from FIFA and the…
The 2025–26 edition of the AIFF Super Cup, which was supposed to symbolize a new phase of stability in Indian football, has already been overshadowed by controversy and a logistical crisis. Just nine days before the tournament’s kickoff, Real Kashmir FC (RKFC) announced their withdrawal, citing an inability to secure Indian visas for their foreign…
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has released the second volume of its Request for Proposal (RFP) for awarding the rights to monetize its commercial properties at Indian Football for a limited term. This document, titled Volume II: Draft Contract, marks a watershed moment in Indian football’s structural and commercial evolution. It lays out the…
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) have once again pushed Indian football to the brink. The failure to finalize or even issue the Indian Super League’s (ISL) commercial rights tender by the Supreme Court mandated deadline of October 15, 2025, has created a governance vacuum that threatens not just…
The Indian Women’s National Football Team is gearing up for an important international assignment on home soil as the Tri-Nations Women’s International Friendly Series kicks off this October at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong. The event will feature India, Iran, and Nepal, bringing together three competitive Asian sides in a tightly-packed week of football…
For forty-three minutes in Goa, Indian football flirted with something that resembled belief. The ball moved crisply, the press was coordinated, and when Lallianzuala Chhangte sent a rocket into the top corner in the 14th minute, Fatorda Stadium roared. It was fleeting. By the final whistle, the stands were nearly silent, and so was the…
When India lost 1–2 to Singapore in Goa on October 14, 2025, it didn’t just end a qualification campaign it extended one of Indian football’s most symbolic and damning droughts. The defeat marked 21 years since India last beat Singapore, completing a cycle of stagnation that mirrors the country’s broader footballing dysfunction. This is not…
When Hyderabad FC lifted the Indian Super League (ISL) title in 2021–22, few would have predicted that within three years, the club would cease to exist not through relegation, but through financial collapse and relocation. In 2025, the franchise has been officially rebranded as Sporting Club Delhi (SCD), marking the ISL’s return to India’s capital…
When Inter Kashi FC lifted the I-League 2024–25 trophy in April, it seemed like a triumph of sporting merit the culmination of India’s long-promised open-league structure. But beneath the celebrations lies an uncomfortable truth: this historic promotion to the Indian Super League (ISL) was not determined by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), nor by…
The year 2025 marks a historic turning point for Indian football governance. For the first time ever, an Indian woman Valanka Alemao, CEO of Churchill Brothers FC and Chairperson of the AIFF Women’s Committee has earned a seat at the global table. Her appointment to the FIFA Women’s Football Development Committee (2025–2029) is not merely…
At the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa, the Indian men’s football team enters what is being described as the “last chance saloon.” Facing Singapore in a must-win AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier, the Blue Tigers find themselves trapped in a mathematical corner needing not only victory, but victory of conviction, to keep their qualification…
A night of heart, grit, and late drama unfolded at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium as India U17 women’s team opened their AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026 Qualifiers campaign with a thrilling 2–1 victory over hosts Kyrgyz Republic. It was a result that carried both emotional resonance and competitive significance, as the Young Tigresses…
The India U23 men’s football team wrapped up their two-match friendly series in Indonesia unbeaten, following a hard-fought 1–1 draw against the hosts at the Gelora Bung Karno Madya Stadium on Monday. The Blue Colts, who had edged Indonesia 2–1 in the first game, produced another disciplined performance to end their short overseas tour on…
Indian women football is living one of its most dominant phases in recent memory. Across senior and youth levels, the national teams have combined for an impressive record of 12 wins, 2 draws, and just 1 loss in their last 15 international matches. What makes this run remarkable is not only the consistency across age…
The Premier League wrapped up a landmark week of fan and community engagement activities in India, marking its first major initiative in the country since opening its Mumbai office earlier this year. The week-long programme, led by former England striker Michael Owen, celebrated both the League’s passionate Indian fanbase and its deep-rooted commitment to grassroots…
In Indian football’s most transformative phase in decades, a quiet revolution is taking shape and it’s being led not by foreign tacticians, but by three homegrown minds. For the first time since 2012, all of India’s men’s national football teams across senior, U23, and U17 levels are under the command of Indian coaches. Khalid Jamil…
The India U23 men’s football team began their two-match international friendly series in Indonesia on a winning note, defeating the hosts 2–1 at the Gelora Bung Karno Madya Stadium in Jakarta on Friday, October 10, 2025. A superb first-half brace from Suhail Ahmad Bhat sealed a memorable victory for Naushad Moosa’s Blue Colts, who showcased…
The India U17 men’s football team wrapped up their two-match friendly series against China PR U17 with a spirited 1–0 victory in the second encounter at the National Football Training Centre in Xianghe on Friday, October 10. The result came as a strong response to their 0–4 defeat in the first game earlier in the…
For a large part of the evening at the National Stadium in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers, Singapore looked set to inflict another miserable night on Indian football. Down to ten men, disjointed in midfield, and trailing for most of the game, the Blue Tigers were staring at their second straight defeat in the…
The Blue Tigers face their most defining challenge yet in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round as they prepare to take on table-toppers Singapore in a high-stakes Group C encounter at the Singapore National Stadium. With only one point from two matches, India’s qualification hopes are hanging by a thread, while the hosts…
The year 2025 has been hailed as one of Indian football’s most successful years at the regional level, with age-group national teams securing dominance across South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) competitions. India clinched three youth championships Men’s U17, Women’s U17, and Men’s U19 and shared a contentious joint title in the Women’s U19 category. This…
The Blue Colts once again proved their supremacy in South Asian youth football, lifting the SAFF U-17 Championship 2025 with a nerve-shredding penalty shootout victory over Bangladesh in Colombo. The 2–2 draw in regulation time, followed by a 4–2 win in the tiebreaker, gave India their fifth consecutive title and a record seventh overall, underlining…
The countdown to India’s premier cup competition has officially begun. With just a month to go, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has unveiled the Super Cup 2025 group stage draws, setting the stage for a high-stakes tournament that promises drama, rivalries, and the potential for surprises. The tournament will run from October 25 to…
Indian Clubs Stumble in AFC Champions League Two Opener: Mohun Bagan and FC Goa’s Tough Start in AFC Champions League Two The 2025-26 season of the AFC Champions League Two got underway with plenty of optimism for Indian football, but it quickly turned into a tale of frustration. Both Mohun Bagan Super Giant and FC…
In the sweltering heat of Phnom Penh, under the glare of unfamiliar floodlights, a group of young women from East Bengal Women FC’s did what generations of Indian footballers could only dream about they punched their ticket to Asia’s grandest stage. East Bengal FC’s women’s team, the Moshal Girls, etched their names into history on…
Indian football has once again walked on a knife’s edge and lived to tell the tale. On September 19, 2025, the Supreme Court of India directed the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to convene a special general body meeting and adopt its long-delayed draft constitution within four weeks. This ruling not only satisfied FIFA’s core…
In a match that had everything goals, drama, and controversy the India U-17 men’s national football team edged past arch-rivals Pakistan 3-2 at the Racecourse International Stadium to finish top of Group B in the ongoing SAFF U17 Championship 2025. Goals from Dallalmuon Gangte (31’), Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam (63’), and Rahan Ahmad (73’) sealed victory for…
The world’s fastest man is coming to India, and this time, it’s not to race down the track. Usain Bolt, the eight-time Olympic gold medalist, world record holder, and one of the greatest athletes of all time, will headline PUMA’s two-day sporting spectacle in Mumbai on October 1. In a first-of-its-kind event, the Jamaican sprint…
The India U17 men’s national team sent a strong message to the rest of the competition as they began their SAFF U17 Championship title defence in resounding fashion, thrashing Maldives 6–0 in their Group B opener at the Racecourse International Stadium on Tuesday evening. Goals came from all directions – Dallalmuon Gangte struck twice, while…
The AFC Champions League 2 returns this week with a much-anticipated clash at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, where Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) host Turkmenistan’s Ahal FK. Scheduled for September 16, the match marks not just the start of Group C but also the beginning of a new chapter for Mohun Bagan, who step…
The Indian U17 football team, known fondly as the Blue Colts, is ready to begin their title defence at the SAFF U17 Championship 2025, which kicks off in Sri Lanka from 15 to 27 September. India enters the tournament as the undisputed powerhouse of South Asian youth football, having clinched their sixth title in 2024…
The announcement of India’s 30-player probables squad for the October FIFA window has stirred fresh debate about the future of the national team. At the heart of it lies one critical storyline: the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers against Singapore, a tie that may define not just India’s immediate prospects but also the long-term trajectory…
When Uzbekistan Football punched its ticket to the FIFA World Cup for the first time in history, many in Asia viewed it as an inspiring underdog story. But a deeper look reveals that their achievement was no fluke. It was the result of deliberate, state-backed planning, a professionalized talent pipeline, and a long-term vision that…
East Bengal FC’s women’s team has scripted history by qualifying for the AFC Women’s Champions League 2025-26 group stage, marking a watershed moment for Indian women’s club football. Fresh from winning the 2024-25 Indian Women’s League (IWL), the team now steps into uncharted territory Asia’s premier women’s club competition. Placed in Group B, East Bengal…
The coming months mark a pivotal chapter for Indian youth football as the India U-17 men’s national team prepares for back-to-back assignments: the SAFF U17 Championship 2025 in Sri Lanka and the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers in Ahmedabad. Together, these tournaments will shape not only the immediate fortunes of the squad but also…
The script had promised history. India’s U23 football team arrived in Doha with the belief that this could finally be the campaign that would take them into the AFC U23 Asian Cup main draw for the very first time. They fought bravely, produced moments of brilliance, and finished with their biggest-ever win at this level….
The Indian U23 men’s football team, popularly known as the Blue Colts, closed their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers campaign in style with a commanding 6-0 victory over Brunei. The result was a showcase of attacking flair, with Vibin Mohanan scoring a hat-trick, Mohammed Aimen adding a late brace, and Ayush Chhetri chipping in with…
The Indian men’s football team, under the guidance of new head coach Khalid Jamil, scripted history at the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, co-hosted by Tajikistan and Uzbekistan between August 29 and September 8. Invited as a late replacement for Malaysia, India not only held their own but emerged with a bronze medal, their first podium…
India ended a 31-year drought against Oman with a dramatic penalty shootout victory to clinch the bronze medal at the CAFA Nations Cup 2025. The Blue Tigers, who had beaten Oman only once in 11 previous meetings, showed immense resilience after falling behind, equalising late through Udanta Singh, and finally relying on captain Gurpreet Singh…
When India step onto the pitch against Oman in the CAFA Nations Cup third-place playoff, it will be more than just a contest for bronze. For the Blue Tigers, this match represents an opportunity to break a three-decade-long winless streak against Oman and secure a historic podium finish in their debut tournament. For Oman, a…
The India U23 football team produced a fighting display in Doha on Saturday night before going down 1–2 to hosts Qatar in their second Group H match of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers 2025. It was a match that showcased the promise of this young Indian side under coach Naushad Moosa, even though a…
India U23’s brave fight against Qatar ended in a narrow 1-2 defeat in Doha on Saturday, leaving Naushad Moosa’s side with three points from two games in Group H in AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 Despite the setback, qualification is still possible but it will take a combination of a big win against Brunei and…
The Indian men’s football team were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw against Afghanistan in their final group stage encounter at the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, played at the Hisor Central Stadium on Thursday evening. Despite dominating long phases of the match and creating multiple chances, India failed to find the finishing touch. Their…
The India U23 men’s football team made a dream start to their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers campaign, defeating Bahrain 2–0 in Doha. Goals from Muhammed Suhail in the first half and substitute Shivaldo Chingangbam deep into stoppage time sealed a statement victory for the Blue Colts, who displayed grit, discipline, and attacking intent from…
