Author: Rahul Giri

Another player of Indian origin is prepared to make the ultimate commitment to represent the Blue Tigers on the global stage. Following the recent milestone achieved by Ryan Williams, who successfully acquired his Indian passport and is now eligible for the national team, Canadian striker Shaan Hundal has unequivocally declared his interest in relinquishing his foreign citizenship to don the Indian national team jersey. Currently playing in the Canadian Premier League for York United FC, Hundal, an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) holder, is actively seeking a move to the Indian Super League. His primary goal is to fulfil the…

Punjab FC, currently riding high on their qualification for the AIFF Super Cup semi-finals, have significantly bolstered their squad with the arrival of Bosnian international Samir Zeljkovic. The experienced defensive midfielder brings notable European pedigree, having played in prestigious competitions such as the UEFA Nations League and the UEFA Conference League qualifiers. In an exclusive conversation, Zeljkovic shared insights into his decision to move to India, his positive shock at the club’s professionalism, and how the team are navigating the unique challenge posed by the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the start date of the Indian Super League (ISL). The Call to…

Sergio Lobera Rodríguez, picture credit- X Mohun Bagan Super Giant have confirmed a major change in their technical set-up. Sergio Lobera Rodríguez has officially replaced Jose Molina as the club’s new head coach for the remainder of the season. The deal was sealed on Wednesday, and the Spanish tactician will begin training with the squad from November 30. Players including Jamie Maclaren, Jason Cummings, and Vishal Kaith are expected to join the first session under the new regime. Lobera is no stranger to Indian football. With an ISL Shield and league title already on his resume, along with coaching…

FIFA has decided to reach out to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) after Mohun Bagan raised concerns about the prolonged delay in resolving the transfer dispute involving defender Anwar Ali. The matter has remained stuck for nearly a year and-a-half, prompting the Kolkata club to escalate the issue to world football’s governing body. Mohun Bagan approached FIFA on November 14, stating that they were frustrated after the AIFF’s appeals committee indefinitely postponed its hearing due to the resignation of one of its panel members. With no clarity on when the case would be taken up again, the club sought…

The latest round of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers delivered one of the most remarkable nights in recent football history, as tiny island nation Curacao produced a fairytale of their own while Haiti, Scotland, Spain and Switzerland secured their places on the sport’s grandest stage. Curacao became the smallest nation ever to qualify for a FIFA World Cup, writing an extraordinary new chapter in global football. With a population of just around 156,000, the Caribbean island surpassed Iceland’s previous record to become the least populated country to ever book a World Cup berth. The qualification was sealed after a dramatic…

-Rahul Giri Bangladesh edged past India 1–0 in their AFC Asian Cup Qualifier at a packed Bangladesh National Stadium in Dhaka – their first win over India in more than two decades with the last coming in the 2003 SAFF Championship semi-final at the same venue. The hosts’ resurgence in recent years, sparked by the arrival of Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury, followed by the introduction of talents like Shamit Shome and Zayaan Ahmed, has significantly boosted domestic interest. Matchday turnouts have surged, jersey sales have risen, and brands have shown renewed enthusiasm. Yet, results had not followed – with…

After 22 years, India will once again face Bangladesh in Dhaka, with their last meeting on Bangladeshi soil coming during the 2003 SAFF Gold Cup, where the hosts clinched a 2–1 win at the same venue. While the upcoming match holds no significance in the race for qualification to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup (both teams were eliminated last month), the fixture still carries weight. Whenever India and Bangladesh meet, it promises a fierce, emotionally-charged contest—one that has earned the tag of the South Asian Derby. In the last five meetings, India have won once, while the other four ended…

The crisis surrounding the Indian Super League continues to escalate, with multiple clubs suspending operations as the domestic football ecosystem reels from the All India Football Federation’s failure to secure a commercial partner for the league. The turbulence began after the introduction of the Supreme Court–mandated AIFF Constitution, following which the federation issued a Request for Qualification (RFQ) that required bidders to commit ₹37.5 crore annually or 5% of gross revenue to acquire ISL’s commercial rights. The steep financial expectations have resulted in zero bidders, plunging Indian football into a state of uncertainty. As the bidding process collapsed, panic…

Bengaluru FC head coach Gerard Zaragoza and his entire backroom staff have parted ways with the club, adding to the deepening crisis engulfing Indian football. The Spanish manager, who guided the Blues to last season’s ISL Cup final, is set to join a Greek club, according to reports. His exit comes at a time when the future of the Indian Super League (ISL) remains clouded with uncertainty following the AIFF’s failed tender process. Zaragoza’s departure is symbolic of a broader instability that has gripped the domestic landscape. Several ISL clubs, including Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Kerala Blasters, have suspended…

The ongoing uncertainty surrounding Indian football has reached a breaking point, with players, coaches, and club officials from both the Indian Super League (ISL) and I-League expressing grave concern over the current deadlock. Many have issued statements urging the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to act swiftly and resume domestic football activities, emphasising that their livelihoods depend on it. Recognising the urgency of the situation, AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey called for an emergency virtual meeting on Wednesday evening with ISL club CEOs, I-League CEOs, team captains, and senior footballers to discuss possible solutions. However, while ISL representatives attended, I-League…