Football

In a dramatic finale befitting one of football's most storied rivalries, Mohun Bagan Super Giant clinched their 21st IFA Shield title by defeating East Bengal FC 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Saturday. The victory marked Mohun Bagan Super Giant's first IFA Shield triumph since 2003, ending a 22 year wait that had seen them reach five finals without success.

The India U17 women's football team achieved a historic milestone on October 17, 2025, becoming the first batch to qualify for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup through the merit route after defeating Uzbekistan 2-1 in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic. This qualification ends a 21 year wait since India last participated in the continental tournament in 2005, when 11 teams participated directly without qualifiers.​

Mohun Bagan Super Giant secured their place in the IFA Shield final with a composed 2-0 victory over United Sports Club at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on October 15, 2025. Goals from Dimitrios Petratos and an own goal from United SC ensured the Mariners topped Group B and set up a highly anticipated Kolkata Derby final against arch rivals East Bengal at the Salt Lake Stadium.​

East Bengal FC continued their dominant run in the IFA Shield with a convincing 2-0 victory over Namdhari FC in their final group stage match at the Kishore Bharati Stadium in Kolkata on October 14, 2025. Goals from Mohammed Rashid and P.V. Vishnu sealed the win as the Red and Gold Brigade cruised into yet another final appearance in the historic tournament.​

India’s hopes of qualifying for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup took a major blow as they lost 1–2 to Singapore at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Madgaon, Goa. Despite taking an early lead, the Blue Tigers failed to maintain control and were punished for defensive errors and missed chances.

Ten man India battled back to secure a crucial 1-1 draw against Singapore at the National Stadium in Kallang on Wednesday, keeping their AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualification hopes alive. Substitute Rahim Ali scored his first international goal in the 90' to cancel out Ikhsan Fandi's opener and earn the Blue Tigers a valuable point.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant began their IFA Shield 2025 campaign with a commanding 5-1 victory over Gokulam Kerala FC at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan on Wednesday. The Mariners put up a clinical performance to establish their credentials as serious contenders for the historic tournament. Mohun Bagan Super Giant took control early when an own goal from Rishad gave them the lead in the 11'.

East Bengal FC began their IFA Shield 2025 campaign with a comfortable 4–0 win over Sreenidi Deccan FC at the Kalyani Stadium. Debutant left back Jay Gupta opened the scoring in the 21st minute. Miguel Figueira’s freekick was pushed away by the Sreenidi Deccan goalkeeper, and Jay Gupta reacted quickest to tap the ball in from close range. East Bengal doubled their lead in the 38th minute when Bipin Singh’s cross found Saul Crespo, whose header guided the ball past the keep

The prestigious 125th IFA Shield returns to Indian football after a four-year absence, with the tournament set to commence on October 8, 2025. This historic competition, established in 1893, represents one of the world's oldest football tournaments and serves as a significant milestone in Indian sporting heritage. The IFA Shield's illustrious history spans 132 years, making it the third oldest football competition in India after the Durand Cup and Trades Cup.

FC Goa suffered their second consecutive defeat in the AFC Champions League Two, falling 2-0 to FC Istiklol in Hisor, Tajikistan on October 1, 2025. The Tajik champions bounced back from their opening 5-0 defeat against Al Nassr to claim their first points of the campaign.

The AIFF Super Cup 2025-26 is set to begin from October 25, 2025, with matches scheduled across two venues in Goa, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao and GMC Athletic Stadium in Bambolim. The tournament will go on till November 22, 2025, featuring a group stage format followed by semi finals and final. The competition features 16 teams divided into four groups of four each, with only the group winners advancing to the semi finals.

East Bengal Football Club wrote their name further into Calcutta football history on September 22, 2025, securing their historic 41st Calcutta Football League Premier Division title with a heart stopping 2-1 win over United Sports Club at the East Bengal Ground. The victory was a historic double occasion, as the Red and Gold Brigade also accepted their 40th CFL trophy on the same historic day.

The Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, has finally delivered its long awaited verdict, approving the All India Football Federation's Constitution. With this judgment, the Hon'ble Apex Court does not only resolve an eight year old judicial procedure but also clears the air of uncertainty that was looming over the head of Indian football and all of its stakeholders.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant suffered a shocking defeat in their opening day match of the AFC Champions League 2, at the Vivekanada Yuba Bharati Krirangan at the hands of Turkmenistan side Ahal FK on Tuesday. Mohun Bagan Super Giant started with their traditional 4-3-3 formation, with Deepak Tangri and Apuia playing as pivots. Kiyan Nassiri got a rare chance to feature in the starting XI on the right flank.

FC Goa began their AFC Champions League Two campaign at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa, on Wednesday against Al Zawraa SC of Iraq. FC Goa were missing their star defender, Sandesh Jhingan, who suffered an injury on international duty against Iran. As a result, Nim Dorjee started alongside Spanish centre back Pol Moreno. When in possession, FC Goa looked like a secure 4-2-3-1, with Timor anchoring the double pivot.

East Bengal FC and Anthony Andrews are writing a fairytale. East Bengal FC, a club so much associated with continental participation has created another historic chapter when their “Moshal girls” dominated the Indian Women’s League to become champions and as a result of winning the league, they got a chance to represent India in the continental stage.

India won the third place at the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 by beating Oman 3-2 on penalties in a thrilling shootout, ending the tournament on a great note under new national team coach Khalid Jamil.

The Indian U-23 football team's dreams of creating history took a significant blow as they fell 2-1 to hosts Qatar in a thrilling Group H encounter of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha on Saturday, September 6, 2025.

The Supreme Court has ordered the All India Football Federation to initiate an open tender process for ISL and Super Cup 2025–26 commercial rights, supervised by Justice L. Nageswara Rao, with a deadline of October 15, 2025. The Court acknowledged FSDL’s cooperation and postponed its ruling on AIFF’s draft constitution pending the National Sports Governance Act.

East Bengal FC Women became only the second Indian club to reach the AFC Women’s Champions League Group Stage after drawing 1-1 with Kitchee SC in Phnom Penh. Sangita Basfore’s ninth-minute goal ensured the IWL champions topped Group E with four points from two matches.