Author: Rahul Giri

The Africa Cup of Nations continued to deliver high drama and strong talking points on and off the pitch, as several heavyweights opened their campaigns while debate around the tournament’s timing once again took centre stage. Nigeria forward Samuel Chukwueze was vocal in his defence of the tournament, insisting the AFCON deserves the same respect as the World Cup or European Championship. Speaking ahead of Nigeria’s campaign, the Fulham winger said criticism of the competition’s scheduling was misplaced. “Everyone wants to play in AFCON. It’s one of the best competitions in the world,” Chukwueze said. “You have to respect it…

Indian football is facing one of its most turbulent phases in recent years, and the impending exit of the City Football Group (CFG) from Mumbai City FC has only intensified concerns about the sport’s long-term stability in the country. With the year drawing to a close, there is still no clarity on when the Indian Super League will begin, a competition that traditionally kicks off in September. The uncertainty follows the expiry of the 15-year commercial agreement between the All India Football Federation and Football Sports Development Limited, after which the federation has failed to attract any bids for the…

Elections of all National Sports Federations (NSFs) will be postponed by a year to facilitate smooth implementation of the newly-introduced National Sports Governance (NSG) Act. This decision will also impact the All India Football Federation (AIFF). In a letter issued on Monday to the president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and all NSFs, the sports ministry informed that elections scheduled in the coming months will be deferred until December 31, 2026. The move has been described as a transitional arrangement to allow federations adequate time to align their structures with the provisions of the NSG Act. As a result,…

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) convened its Executive Committee (ExCo) meeting and Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Football House in New Delhi. Both meetings were chaired by Kalyan Chaubey, AIFF President. During the AGM, a proposal concerning the future structure of the Indian Super League (ISL), submitted by 10 clubs, was presented by Mohun Bagan Super Giant CEO Mr. Vinay Chopra. As the clubs’ demand to manage the league in perpetuity evoked mixed reactions from the house, the federation decided to constitute a three-member committee to explore a consensus. The committee comprises Kerala Football…

Argentina enter Group J as clear favourites. The defending champions are widely expected to progress from the group with relative ease. History, however, serves as a reminder that World Cups rarely follow scripts. Just four years ago, Argentina began their title-winning campaign with a stunning defeat to Saudi Arabia before regrouping in magnificent fashion to lift the trophy in Qatar. This time around, Lionel Scaloni’s side looks far more settled. While Argentina are strong contenders to top the group, the real intrigue lies in the race behind them. Austria, Algeria and Jordan will all believe they have a chance to…

After a chaotic and disappointing opening leg of the GOAT Tour of India in Kolkata, Hyderabad offered a sharp and striking contrast, one that underlined how planning and crowd management can define a global sporting event. Lionel Messi arrived in Hyderabad on a private jet after the Salt Lake Stadium episode in Kolkata left fans and organisers facing uncomfortable questions. What unfolded in the Telangana capital on Saturday evening, however, was a reminder of what the event was always meant to be: controlled, celebratory and fan-first. Messi, accompanied by close associates Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suárez, entered the stadium…

What was meant to be a once-in-a-lifetime celebration for football fans in Kolkata turned into a chaotic and deeply disappointing episode on Saturday at Salt Lake Stadium, as the much-anticipated Lionel Messi event descended into disorder. Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal, has ordered an inquiry under a retired judge into the incident. “I am constituting an enquiry committee under the chairmanship of Justice (Retd.) Ashim Kumar Ray, with the Chief Secretary and the Additional Chief Secretary, Home and Hill Affairs Department, as members. The committee will conduct a detailed enquiry into the incident, fix responsibility, and…

In Kolkata, Lionel Messi is not merely a footballer. He is a feeling that has lived quietly and sometimes loudly inside the city for decades. His name exists everywhere: etched permanently on tattoos, scribbled inside old sports diaries, glowing on mobile wallpapers. Every four years, during the World Cup, half of Kolkata turns sky blue. Lanes are draped with Argentine flags, buildings are painted in blue and white, and sleep becomes optional. When Argentina lifted the World Cup in Qatar, the city did not rest that night. Messi, their icon, had completed the journey they had walked with him for…

Pressure around Xabi Alonso intensified on Wednesday night as Real Madrid slipped to a 2-1 home defeat against Manchester City in the Champions League, a result that deepens the uncertainty surrounding the manager’s position at the Santiago Bernabéu. Madrid entered the match already in a fragile state, with only two wins in their previous seven outings. The loss to City added to that slide, making it two consecutive home defeats and extending a worrying run that has come to define their last month and a half. Despite the growing noise around the club, both players and senior management attempted to…

The Netherlands will headline Group F alongside Japan, widely considered Asia’s strongest contender aiming for a deep run in the FIFA World Cup 2026. Tunisia, making their third consecutiveappearance, will look to finally break into the knockout rounds. All three nations await the final entrant, which will emerge from the UEFA Playoff Path B in March, featuring Sweden, Ukraine, Poland, or Albania. The Netherlands, three-time Runners-up (1974, 1978, 2010), were eliminated in the quarterfinals in Qatar. They open their campaign against Japan, who are playing in their eighth successive World Cup. GROUP F 1. The Netherlands Fixtures (All Times are…