All India Football Federation

U17 Asian Cup qualification: India eye final step in clash with Thailand

India are one step away from qualifying for the AFC U17 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, needing a crucial victory over hosts Thailand in their final Group D match here on Sunday. With two wins from two games, the Ishfaq Ahmed-coached India Colts sit level on points with Thailand but trail on goal difference, making this clash a must-win to secure the top spot and an automatic berth in the tournament. Friday's hard-fought 1-0 victory over Turkmenistan kept India's hopes alive and showcased their resilience, with a well-timed strike from Ningthoukhongjam Rishi Singh clinching the game. However, Thailand's massive 19-0 rout of Brunei Darussalam later that day sent a clear signal, pushing them to the top of the group with an astounding goal difference. India had earlier defeated Brunei 13-0, while Thailand opened their campaign with a solid 2-0 win over Turkmenistan. The group stakes are high: a draw will see Thailand qualify as group leaders, while only a win will guarantee India's direct

Indian football team moves up to 125th in latest FIFA world rankings

Indian men's football team climbed one place to 125th in the latest FIFA rankings released on Thursday, thanks to a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Vietnam in an international friendly earlier this month. Under new coach Manolo Marquez, India are yet to win a match. The team under Marquez has lost once and drawn twice, that saw it earn +0.26 points, taking its total points tally to 1133.78. In the AFC standings, India have also improved one notch to be 22nd, behind Vietnam who have lost three rungs. Overall, world champions Argentina maintained their supremacy at No. 1 with 1883.5 points, while France, European champions Spain and England and Brazil complete the top-five.

SAFF 2024: India into semifinals despite 1-3 loss against Bangladesh

India struggled to cope with Bangladesh's midfield dominance and failed to convert their key chances to suffer a 1-3 defeat to Bangladesh in 44their final Group A fixture of the SAFF Women's Championship 2024 here on Wednesday. Despite already securing a semi-final spot, India finished second with three points, while Bangladesh topped Group A with four points. Afeida Khandaker (18') and Tohura Khatun (29', 42') struck for Bangladesh before skipper Bala Devi reduced the margin with a deft header two minutes later. India also further suffered by an injury blow to midfielder Anju Tamang as her exit in the 27th minute weakened their attack. All of India's troubles were generated by dipping crosses in the box. The first goal was off a corner and Afeida Khandaker lobbed it past Panthoi Chanu. India conceded the second goal when a hopeful lob from the left saw Khatun rushing in to take advantage of the situation. Her second strike, however, was a pile-driver from just outside the box.

India announces squad for 2025 AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Laos

India U20 head coach Ranjan Chaudhuri, on Saturday, announced a 23-member squad for the 2025 AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers to be held in Laos from September 25-29. The Blue Colts are placed in Group G along with Iran, Mongolia and hosts Laos. The India U20 squad ============== Goalkeepers: Divyaj Dhaval Thakkar, Sahil, Priyansh Dubey. Defenders: Pramveer, L Hemba Meetei, Ngangbam Surajkumar Singh, Malemngamba Singh Thokchom, Dhanajit Ashangbam, Manabir Basumatary, Thomas Cherian, Sonam Tsewang Lhokham. Midfielders: Manjot Singh Dhami, Vanlalpeka Guite, Akash Tirkey, Ebindas Yesudasan, Ishaan Shishodia, Manglenthang Kipgen. Forwards: Kelvin Singh Taorem, Korou Singh Thingujam, Monirul Molla, Thanglalsoun Gangte, Naoba Meitei Pangambam, Gwgwmsar Goyary. Head coach: Ranjan Chaudhuri. The fixtures ========= Mongolia vs India (Sep 25); India vs Iran (Sep 27); India vs Laos (Sep 29).

AIFF NCE in Kolkata to host FIFA coach capacity building workshop

The FIFA coach capacity building workshop, a vital component of the world football governing body's Women's League Development, which falls under the broader FIFA Women's Development Programme, will be held at the AIFF National Centre of Excellence (NCE) in Kolkata from September 16 to 18. The workshop will be conducted by FIFA experts Simon Toselli and Stphanie Spielmann. Toselli, a FIFA women's football technical expert, had previously conducted the women's football strategy workshop in New Delhi in June this year. He has been collaborating with 25 countries on different projects and implementation of strategies (AFC, OFC, CAF and UEFA). Spielmann, a former player, is a UEFA A-License coach and a FIFA and OFC instructor. She has been part of the FIFA coach mentorship programme with the Belgium women's national team. She has coached the senior, U19 and U16 women's teams of Tahiti and has also been the women's football development officer in the island nation. The FIFA coach capac

AIFF to have 'independent inquiry' into contract renewal of Igor Stimac

Stimac's contract was terminated on June 17 after AIFF senior officials held a virtual meeting with the Croatian manager.

Mohun Bagan to get Rs 12.90 cr in compensation from defender Anwar Ali

The All India Football Federation on Tuesday imposed a four-month suspension on India international Anwar Ali after finding the defender "guilty" of illegally terminating his four-year contract with Mohun Bagan who are also eligible for a huge compensation of Rs 12.90 crore. The Players Status Committee of the AIFF also ruled that the Anwar's parent club Delhi FC and East Bengal, with whom the defender had entered into a lucrative five-year deal, have been banned from registering players for two transfer windows -- 2024-25 winter and 2025-26 summer. Anwar Ali, East Bengal and Delhi FC are all jointly "liable" for the compensation amount which includes Rs 8.40 crore for the residual value of the contract, Rs 2 crore already paid to Delhi FC under loan agreement, and Rs 2.50 crore for other "damages suffered by the club," stated the decision of the AIFF Players Status Committee. The transfer of India centre-back Ali to East Bengal from Mohun Bagan following a unilateral termination of

Intercontinental Cup: India to face Syria in winner takes all match

Hosts India and Syria will go head to head in the winner-takes-it-all third and final game of the Intercontinental Cup trophy here on Monday. India, who began the competition with a goalless draw against Mauritius on Tuesday, are eyeing their second consecutive Intercontinental Cup triumph, and third overall. Syria beat Mauritius 2-0 on Friday, which means they hold a slight advantage heading into the final game as the Eagles of Qasioun require only a draw to claim the trophy. Syria have a long history of playing tournaments in India, but the title has always evaded them. The West Asians lost back-to-back Nehru Cup finals to India in 2007 and 2009 before finishing fourth in 2012. In their last trip to India in the 2019 Intercontinental Cup, Syria ended in third place. But for the Blue Tigers to deny them a first silverware on Indian soil, they will need to end a winless streak stretching back to November last year. "It will be a difficult game for both sides. It's a friendly game,

AIFF to pay $ 400,000 to former football coach Igor Stimac as compensation

Igor Stimac and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) have reached an agreement with the former men's national team head coach set to receive USD 400,000 (approximately Rs 3.36 crore) after tax as compensation for being terminated from the job. The AIFF sacked Stimac in June, terminating his contract exactly a year before it was to expire in the wake of the side's ouster from the second round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers despite getting a relatively easy draw. The sacking was followed by a bitter war of words between Stimac and the AIFF with the Croat threatening to sue the federation if it didn't settle his dues within 10 days. However, the two parties have now reached an agreement. "The AIFF top brass has approved payment of USD 400,000 as compensation to settle the issue with AIFF," a source privy to the development told PTI on Sunday. It is quite a hefty amount for a federation that has struggled for funds in recent times and has reduced its competitions budget this ...

Durand Cup should return to Maidan, demands the big three of Kolkata

The three century-plus old football clubs of Kolkata -- Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting -- came together for the first time on Tuesday to demand justice for the R G Kar Hospital rape and murder victim and also made an appeal to bring back the Durand Cup tournament to the city. Sunday's Durand Cup derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal at Salt Lake Stadium was cancelled fearing "security concerns" in the wake of the widespread protests against the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Despite the "abandonment", thousands of fans from the three clubs came together for the first time as violent protests erupted outside the Salt Lake Stadium, forcing the police to resort to lathicharge before detaining several supporters. Two days after the incident, the three clubs' secretaries -- Debasish Dutta (Mohun Bagan), Rupak Saha (East Bengal) and Ishtiaq Ahmed (Mohammedan Sporting) -- addressed a joint media ...

AIFF to organise charity matches for Kerala, Himachal flood victims

The All India Football Federation will be organising two charity football matches to raise fund for the relief work in Kerala and Himachal Pradesh, which have been devastated by natural disasters. The AIFF is trying to schedule its first benefit match in Manjeri in Malappuram district of Kerala on August 30 between Kolkata outfit Mohammedan Sporting Club and a Super League Kerala XI. AIFF has proposed September 2 as the date for the second charity match in Lucknow. However, further details are still being chalked out by the governing body with the prospective clubs. "I'm happy that one of India's oldest clubs, Mohammedan Sporting immediately agreed to our proposal for the cause of humanity. We are also in advance conversation with two clubs for the Lucknow match," said AIFF President, Kalyan Chaubey in a release. "Sports is a powerful medium to offer comfort and heal humanity after such tragedies. We often celebrate cups won by clubs; let's now come together to raise the cup of ...

Resigning from technical committee as AIFF bypassed panel: Bhaichung Bhutia

Legendary footballer Bhaichung Bhutia on Saturday told the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) executive committee that he is resigning from his membership of the technical committee, alleging that the panel was "bypassed" while appointing the national men's team head coach. Spaniard Manolo Marquez, who is currently in charge of Indian Super League side FC Goa, was on Saturday named India head coach by the AIFF executive committee. He will succeed Croatian Igor Stimac, who was sacked on June 17 after India failed to qualify for the third round of 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Bhutia, who is a co-opted member of the executive committee as a former player and attended Saturday's meeting here, claimed that under normal practice, the technical committee recommends the head coach of the national team. The current technical panel is headed by legendary IM Vijayan. "I have been chairman of AIFF technical committee in the past (2013 to 2017) and involved in coach appointments like in case o

Euro 2024 Final: Spain, England clash more than just a football game

Football is seldom ever just about sports, and that's especially the case in this tournament

Euro Cup 2024: Uefa fines Germany over selfie-seekers on field with Ronaldo

UEFA has fined its tournament co-organizer Germany for failing to stop selfie-seekers from coming onto the field to get photos taken with Cristiano Ronaldo at the European Championship. UEFA published a slew of disciplinary rulings Monday that included two fines totaling 20,000 euros ($21,500) for the German soccer federation. The charges related to order and security at games and protection of the playing area at Portugal's games against the Czech Republic and Turkey. Multiple fans have invaded the playing field to take photos with Ronaldo during and after games. The Portugal star posed for one in-game photo with a young boy but grew visibly frustrated at the repeated security failures during the game against Turkey. UEFA announced it would review and increase security at stadiums. After a brief brawl between Georgia and Turkey fans in the stadium before their game at Dortmund, UEFA announced fines Monday of 30,000 euros ($32,200) for the Georgian soccer federation and 25,000 eu

Stimac's conduct affirms correctness of contract termination: AIFF

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Monday accused ousted coach Igor Stimac of making attempts to show the country's football fraternity in a bad light in international conferences, saying excuses and failures became emblematic of his tumultuous five-year tenure. In a strong rebuttal to the series of allegations made against the AIFF by the former men's team head coach, the federation said it left no stone unturned in its effort to provide the gaffer with everything he had asked for to lift the team's performance. In a long statement, the AIFF said Stimac's sole intention of calling the press conference, four days after his sacking, was to malign the federation. "This conduct (by Stimac) has only reinforced the AIFF's belief that the right decision was made, with just cause, to terminate his contract and move forward in the interests of Indian football," the AIFF said in the statement. Launching a stinging attack on AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, Stimac had said the sooner

After sacking Stimac, AIFF advertises for new Indian football team coach

Stimac reacted to the sudden announcement by saying that he would sue AIFF if he did not receive his full compensation within 10 days of sacking

Mbappe due for tests on his broken nose as France gets 'positive' news

Kylian Mbapp was due to have tests on his broken nose on Wednesday as France tried to assess what part he could play in the European Championship. The World Cup winner sustained the injury during his team's 1-0 win against Austria on Monday and will have to wear a face mask if he plays on at the tournament. There will be more tests tomorrow to see how things are developing. Obviously it was a big collision," France coach Didier Deschamps said Tuesday. "The medical staff have done what they needed to reduce it as much as possible. This morning he was a bit better, so we will see that and we will follow it closely each day. France plays the Netherlands in its second game of Euro 2024 on Friday. It was not known if Mbapp would be able to play after his face collided with the shoulder Austria's Kevin Danso as he attempted a header late in the Group D match at Dusseldorf Arena. The French Football Federation said it had received positive news about Mbapp's chances of continuing at the .

FC Barcelona brings down curtains on its football academies in India

World-renowned football club FC Barcelona has decided to shut down all its academies in India, 14 years after starting operations with an aim to train the country's kids in their famed 'La Masia (youth academy)' style. FC Barcelona did not provide any official reason for the closure. All its academies in the Indian cities of Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Pune will cease to exist from July 1. "FC Barcelona have informed the families involved in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Pune will cease to operate as Barca Academies from 1 July 2024," the club said in a statement which it uploaded on its website. "Barcelona's presence in India began back in 2010 and since then thousands of youngsters have learned to play football in the Barca style and with the Club's values. "Furthermore, India was the venue for two Barca Academy APAC tournament in 2019 and 2020 and the academies have been an ever present in the 11 editions of the Barca Academy World Cup held in Barcelona during Easter Week,"

SC to consider listing pleas relating to All India Football Federation

The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to consider listing the pleas relating to the All India Football Federation and finalisation of its constitution which was framed by former apex court judge Justice L Nageswara Rao. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra took note of the submissions of senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, who is assisting the court as an amicus curiae, that the pleas needed to be heard. "It was said on March 19 that the pleas will be listed on April 5, that is today," Sankaranarayanan said. The bench assured that the case will be fixed for hearing soon. The top court seized two separate clutches of petitions relating to the Indian Olympic Association and the AIFF. It had said the report, submitted by Justice Rao, shall be circulated by Gopal Sankarnarayanan to all the parties desirous of securing the soft copies. It had directed that the objections to the AIFF's draft constitution be filed. On May 2, 2023,

AIFF forms panel to probe alleged physical assault of two women footballers

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Saturday asked its executive committee member Deepak Sharma to refrain from game-related activities till the conclusion of a probe by a panel into his alleged physical assault of two women footballers in Goa. Two footballers of Himachal Pradesh-based Khad FC, taking part in the Indian Women's Football (IWL) League second division, had alleged that Sharma, the owner of the club, had barged into their room and physically assaulted them on the night of March 28. They filed a complaint with the competition committee of the AIFF and the Goa Football Association (GFA), which was hosting the tournament, also lodged a complaint at the Mapusa police station on the basis of the complaint of the two women footballers. In the complaint, according to sources, the two players said Sharma was in an inebriated state for most of the time and they were "scared of their lives". Sports Minister Anurag Thakur earlier in the day asked the AIFF to take "quick"