India will begin the run of fixtures against Panama on September 26 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. The team will then travel to Kolkata for consecutive matches against Brazil on October 3 and Uruguay on October 6 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. All three opponents featured at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, giving India a challenging set of fixtures.

Brazil, ranked fifth in the world, will be the biggest attraction of the window, while Uruguay are ranked 20th and Panama 44th. Uruguay will enter the fixture under interim head coach Diego Forlán, who took charge after Marcelo Bielsa’s departure.

The AIFF has also confirmed that ticketing rights for the fixtures have been handed to District. Early-bird tickets for the India-Brazil clash went on sale on September 2, while tickets for the Panama and Uruguay matches are yet to be released.

For India, the three matches will provide a rare opportunity to test themselves against established international opposition, with head coach Khalid Jamil preparing a 26-member squad for the September-October window. The team is scheduled to begin its preparatory camp in Bengaluru on September 14 before moving to Kolkata for the Brazil and Uruguay encounters.

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The agreement marks a major milestone for football broadcasting in the country and ensures that fans will be able to follow some of the most prestigious events in world football over the next eight years. Among the headline tournaments included in the partnership are the FIFA World Cup 2026, FIFA World Cup 2030, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.

The deal comes at a significant time for Indian football supporters, with the FIFA World Cup 2026 set to begin on June 11 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Following uncertainty surrounding broadcasting rights, the partnership guarantees that Indian audiences will have access to the expanded 48-team tournament, which is expected to be the biggest FIFA World Cup in history.

In addition to the men’s World Cup, the agreement covers a wide range of FIFA competitions, including women’s tournaments, youth championships, and futsal events. The partnership is expected to play an important role in further growing football’s popularity in India by bringing international football closer to millions of fans across the country.

For ZEE, the agreement represents a major expansion of its sports portfolio and strengthens its position in the football broadcasting landscape. Through its television network and digital platforms, the company aims to provide comprehensive coverage of FIFA competitions and deliver world-class football content to viewers nationwide.

The partnership is also expected to benefit the broader football ecosystem in India by increasing visibility for the sport and inspiring the next generation of players and supporters. With access to multiple FIFA tournaments over the coming years, Indian fans will be able to follow the journey of football’s biggest stars, nations, and emerging talents from one destination.

As the countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026 continues, the FIFA-ZEE partnership opens a new chapter for football coverage in India, ensuring that some of the sport’s most iconic moments will be accessible to fans across the country for years to come.

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As part of the agreement, the Matix brand will appear as the Jersey Pendant on Mumbai City FC’s first-team matchday kits. The brand will also receive prominent visibility at the club’s NMSA training facility and the Mumbai Football Arena, strengthening its presence across key touchpoints of the club’s professional setup.

The Indian Super League, governed by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), remains the top tier of football in the country. Strategic corporate partnerships such as this play an important role in building high-performance environments and expanding the sport’s reach across India.

Speaking about the association, Nishant Kanodia, Chairman of Matix Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited, said that football represents excellence, discipline, and national ambition. He emphasised that supporting a professional club like Mumbai City FC reflects Matix’s belief in sport as a powerful platform to inspire young Indians towards fitness, teamwork, and resilience.

Mumbai City FC CEO Kandarp Chandra welcomed the partnership, stating that Matix’s long-term vision and commitment to excellence align closely with the club’s ambition to compete consistently at the highest levels and contribute to Indian football’s growing global presence.

The partnership also reflects a broader national aspiration to see Indian clubs and players gain greater exposure in continental competitions and strengthen pathways toward global tournaments, including the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup. Investment in elite professional platforms remains a key step in improving India’s competitiveness on the international stage.

Through this collaboration, Matix and Mumbai City FC plan to engage fans and communities through digital initiatives, matchday activations, and programs that promote physical fitness and a positive sporting culture.

Together, both organisations aim to support the growth of a more ambitious, performance-driven football ecosystem in India.

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This is a huge step forward for the women’s game in the country. Until now, Indian clubs had to go through qualifiers to reach the main tournament. But this change means the best team in India will now start directly among Asia’s top clubs.

A big reason behind this upgrade is East Bengal Women’s impressive performance in the ongoing AWCL. Their strong win over Iranian side Bam Khatoon FC, along with competitive games against top Asian teams, helped improve India’s overall club coefficient ranking. With more points added to India’s tally, the country no longer needs to send its champion through a qualification round.

This development is expected to open more doors for Indian clubs and players. Playing directly in the group stage means
• Better exposure
• More top-level matches
• Increased visibility for Indian talent
• Stronger motivation for clubs to invest in women’s football

With this new pathway, the future of Indian women’s club football looks brighter than ever. The next IWL champion will not only lift a national trophy but also step straight onto Asia’s biggest stage.

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Mohun Bagan also parted ways with their title winning head coach José Molina, creating space for a fresh leadership approach. While Molina helped steady the team during a difficult period and also won Mohun Bagan not just the the ISL Title but also the shield in the 24-25 season, the club felt the need for a long-term tactical vision and a more modern style of play, something Lobera is well known for.

Lobera brings a proven track record in India, having delivered strong results and an exciting brand of football during his time with FC Goa, Mumbai City FC and Odisha FC. His teams are known for possession-based play, attacking movement and disciplined structure, qualities Mohun Bagan fans have been eager to see consistently.

For the club, this appointment marks the beginning of a new project. After recent instability, Mohun Bagan believe Lobera’s experience and clarity can help the team rebuild confidence, shape a strong identity and push for major trophies again.

Supporters are already hopeful. With Lobera stepping in and Molina’s brief tenure coming to an end, the club enters a new era, one built on ambition, stability and a clear footballing philosophy.

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Urban gained recognition at the age of 7, turning out for Dynamo Youth FC, a well-regarded grassroots club in South East London. His talent quickly stood out, and after impressing during trials, he earned a place at Everton, where he now trains at the club’s famous Finch Farm Academy.

The youngster already has big dreams. Urban wants to follow the path of his idol Iliman Ndiaye, the Everton senior teams foward and number 10, known for his creativity, flair, and fearless style of play. Those who have watched Urban closely say he is already showing the confidence and technical ability that could help him reach that level.

For the Indian football community, Urban’s rise is an inspiring story, proof that young talent from Indian roots can shine on some of the biggest football stages. With Everton now guiding his development, Urban Negi is definitely a name to remember for the future.

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The biggest amendments came in Article 25.3(c) and 25.3(d). These new rules state that:
• If a person holds a position in the AIFF’s Executive Committee, they will automatically lose any post they hold in a state association.
• No one can hold an elected role in both the national federation and a state body at the same time.

These reforms are meant to prevent conflicts of interest and bring more transparency to Indian football administration.

After the meeting, the AIFF said:

“The AIFF Constitution is now in accordance with the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and the framework recommended by Justice (Retd.) L. Nageswara Rao. With this, a matter pending since 2017 stands conclusively resolved.”

Out of 27 members who attended the meeting, 24 voted in favour of the amendments. A few state associations raised concerns, but the majority supported the changes.

AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey said he felt relieved that the long-pending issue was finally settled:

“I am happy and relieved that AIFF now has a constitution that fulfils the requirements of the Hon’ble Supreme Court. I thank the member associations and the Supreme Court for making this possible.”

Although the amendments have been approved, their full implementation will begin in September 2026, as allowed by the Supreme Court. The AIFF also retains the power to introduce future changes to the constitution without needing fresh approval.

These long-awaited reforms bring clarity and stability to AIFF’s governance structure — a crucial step toward improving football administration and rebuilding trust in the system.

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The All India Football Federation (AIFF) followed all FIFA regulations throughout the application. After reviewing the documents and verifying the requirements under the Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes (RGAS), FIFA confirmed that Williams met every eligibility criterion needed to make the switch.

With FIFA’s approval now in effect, Ryan Williams is formally eligible for selection and can represent India in all international competitions.

This confirmation opens a new chapter in Williams’ career and adds an exciting option to India’s attacking lineup as the team prepares for upcoming international fixtures.

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The fall comes after a disappointing run of results, including the recent loss to Bangladesh, which cost India valuable ranking points. This setback also highlights the growing competition in Asian football, where even small drops in performance can lead to significant ranking changes.

The current ranking serves as a wake up call of the work India must do in upcoming international matches. The team must aim to regain momentum, improve performances on the pitch, and climb back up the standings in the next ranking cycle.

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A major update from the All India Football Federation adds an important shift this year: state teams will not be allowed to field outstation players. This decision aims to ensure that every team represents its own footballing ecosystem, giving priority to home-grown players and strengthening local development across all states.

Here are the official groups for the 2025–26 season:

Group A: Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab
Group B: Chandigarh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh
Group C: Bihar, Jharkhand, Delhi, Railways
Group D: Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura
Group E: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim
Group F: Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana
Group G: Andaman & Nicobar, Andhra Pradesh, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu
Group H: Goa, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Services
Group I: DNH & DD, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan

With a another strong and competitive season approaching, the 2025–26 Santosh Trophy promises a more authentic and development-focused season across India.

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