India, the defending champions, will begin their SAFF U17 Championship title defense against Bangladesh in the tournament’s opening match on Friday. The Blue Colts are aiming to maintain their dominance over their eastern neighbors, having won the previous two finals against Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Bangladesh is looking to make a strong statement in their first age-group tournament under new coach Saiful Bari Titu.
India’s Blue Tigers need a victory against Syria in the Intercontinental Cup on Monday to keep their championship hopes alive. A draw will be enough for Syria to win the tournament. The match, taking place in Hyderabad, will be a crucial test for India’s new coach, Jose Lana, as he continues to implement his style of play.
Syria’s impressive victory over Mauritius in the Intercontinental Cup has sent a strong message to India ahead of their final clash. Syria’s tactical adjustments, particularly the midfield triangle, have given them a significant edge, and their confidence, evident in their approach and play, is a cause for concern for the Indian team. The article analyzes Syria’s strengths and highlights the areas where India needs to improve to secure a win.
India secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Bhutan in their opening match of the SAFF U20 Championship despite a chaotic second half that saw three red cards, including two for India. Monirul Molla’s first-half header proved to be the difference as India held on despite being reduced to nine men for the final 20 minutes.
India remained at 124th in the FIFA rankings, failing to improve despite Argentina’s Copa America victory. India has been slipping since December and is now behind Lebanon, Palestine, and Vietnam in Asia. Meanwhile, Argentina strengthened its grip on the top spot, followed by France, Spain, England, and Brazil.
Former India football coach Igor Stimac has threatened to sue the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in the FIFA Tribunal if his dues are not cleared within 10 days. Stimac claims the AIFF terminated his contract without just cause and accuses AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey of breaching the contract multiple times. He also blames Chaubey for the team’s failure in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and says the situation has negatively impacted his health.
