The winners of each group will join hosts Assam, last season's champions West Bengal and runners-up Kerala in the 12-team Final Round that will be hosted in Dhakuakhana and Dhemaji.
Dembele was able to attend the ceremony, as he was already in Qatar for Wednesday's Intercontinental Cup final where PSG take on Flamengo.
England will begin their World Cup quest next June against a very familiar foe with seasoned tournament regulars Croatia the first hurdle for Thomas Tuchel's highly-fancied team.
Vampires, murders, superheroes and romantic reunions galore, it's quite a package of emotions on OTT this week.
World Cup matches to have mandatory hydration breaks in each half
SC-appointed Justice Rao recommends striking balance between AIFF autonomy and bidders' interests
There will be a lot of excitement in the theatres in December but OTT entertainment looks good too.
A deafening roar at Twickenham capped a 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup that smashed attendance records, while India's first Women's Cricket World Cup triumph sparked nationwide celebrations.
Acting on the directive of the Supreme Court, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Monday adopted the contentious clause of the new constitution that prohibits its office-bearers from holding dual posts in the national body and state units.
Majority of state units favour dual posts, AIFF calls SGM on Nov 24 to vote on matter
Manchester City maintained their squeeze on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 victory at Crystal Palace on Sunday, a result that keeps Pep Guardiola's side lurking two points behind the leaders and ready to pounce.
'Icons like Messi inspire us and that inspiration matters deeply. But inspiration must be met with intent.'
The police in Kolkata have arrested the organiser of the event surrounding Argentine footballer Lionel Messi's visit to the Salt Lake Stadium after chaos broke out when the superstar stayed only for a few minutes and was not visible to most fans in attendance.
Reigning Indian Super League champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant on Saturday suspended all their football activities indefinitely a day after the AIFF failed to receive a single bid for ISL's commercial rights, and said they will review contracts of players and support staff next month.
Next year's 48-team World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
After Saturday's 2-1 win at Chelsea - their 12th in 13 league matches - Aston Villa have claimed 18 points from losing positions so far this season, more than any other team.
The development comes as the AIFF looks to redefine its commercial framework for the ISL, India's top-tier football competition, after the conclusion of its previous agreement cycle.
Punjab Kings emerge as most-searched IPL team on Google in 2025
ISL, I-League clubs to meet Sports Minister after talks with AIFF chief Chaubey fail to end deadlock
World soccer body hit with $76m claim by Frenchman Lassana Diarra in decade-long transfer rules case
Arne Slot planned to have a face-to-face meeting with Mohamed Salah on Friday ahead of Saturday's Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Khalid Jamil's rise can't exactly be termed as meteoric but the last eight years has been nothing less than extraordinary for the 48-year-old, who on Friday took over reins of the national men's football team.
The investment is led by Brazilian group OutField, an international consortium co-founded by Pedro Olivera, and includes Georgios Frangulis, CEO of global health-food brand OakBerry.
Promoted Sunderland, who have defied expectations to stay in the top half of the Premier League table, could be the worst affected with six players going to the tournament, while the likes of Fulham, Manchester United, Burnley and Crystal Palace will also have to make do without some key personnel.
Ashvir Singh Johal has become the first Sikh to coach a professional club in England after being named as first-team manager at fifth-tier Morecambe on Tuesday.
In a bold push to expand India's talent pool, AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey has revealed that the federation is actively pursuing the inclusion of Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) in the national football team.
The camp began in Bengaluru on Thursday.
Debutants, heat and distance shape mood ahead of 2026 World Cup draw
Manchester City's Erling Haaland became the fastest player to reach 100 Premier League goals to ignite their charge on Tuesday.
Jamil will succeed Spaniard Manolo Marquez, who parted ways with the AIFF last month following India's recent struggles.
It was a mere formality for the general assembly of 74 members to put a seal of approval on India's bid after Ahmedabad was recommended as the proposed host of the centenary edition by the Commonwealth Sport's Executive Board last month. India last hosted the CWG in 2010 in Delhi.
'I'm looking at it as a chance to play international football, to represent India, and to hopefully inspire other players with a similar background to me, to show them that they can come to India and do the same thing.'
The summit clash is slated for December 7.
Prince Abdullah said Saudi players have become 'extras' since the number of foreign players per team on matchdays rose to eight, urging a cut to seven and more investment in youth development.
On what would have been Diego Maradona's 65th birthday, Naples marked the occasion by taking his bronze statue on a 24-hour tour through the city. Created by sculptor Domenico Sepe and housed in the Vignati Collection Museum, the statue travelled from the Spanish Quarters to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, stopping at landmarks linked to the football legend's life in Naples.
Bullingham said the FA has been in contact with UK police, who are in touch with the relevant social media platform.
The national capital will have a new top-flight club of the country as Sporting Club Delhi was launched on Saturday after the rebranding of Indian Super League side Hyderabad FC.
India's 2030 Commonwealth Games bid is set to be formally approved on Wednesday at the Commonwealth Sport's general assembly in Glasgow.
Cristiano Ronaldo cleared to play opening matches at World Cup
India aim to rebuild in inconsequential Dhaka tie vs Bangladesh
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