By Samindra Kunti in Guwahati and Kolkata
October 23 – England progressed to the last four of the U-17 World Cup for the first time in history with a commanding 4-1 win over the United States. Mali, Spain and Brazil complete the semi-final quartet, but the African champions’ qualification was overshadowed by diabolical playing conditions in a rain-soaked Guwahati.
By Samindra Kunti in Kolkata
October 19 – England progressed to the last eight of the U-17 World Cup in India following a penalty shoot-out win against Japan. Spain knocked out favorites France in the round of 16 with Brazil, Germany and Mali all qualifying for the quarter-finals.
By Samindra Kunti in New Delhi
October 16 – The Local Organising Committee of the U-17 World Cup has hailed the tournament as “a tipping point” for Indian football after the group stages, with the “door open” for India to host the U-20 World Cup in the future.
By Samindra Kunti, New Delhi, India
October 12 – Hosts India must beat Ghana in their final group A game to keep their World Cup dreams alive. Brazil, France and England, all undefeated, have emerged as early favourites.
By Samindra Kunti in New Delhi, India
October 9 – India were outclassed 0-3 by the United States in their opening game of the U-17 World Cup, but local organisers have struggled with ticketing and basic services at venues on the tournament’s opening weekend.
By Samindra Kunti in New Delhi, India
October 6 – India are set to make their World Cup debut in a historic opening match against the United States with Narendra Modi, India’s Prime Minister, on hand to welcome teams.
By Samindra Kunti
October 6 – The All India Football Federation president Praful Patel (pictured) will roll out his master plan for Indian football to the FIFA Council at the end of the month in aim to underpin his bid for the U-20 World Cup. He has also expressed interest in bringing the Asian Cup to India.
By Samindra Kunti in Delhi
October 4 – NTPC, Dalmia Cement Bharat Limited and Byju’s have completed the roster for the six national sponsorship slots for the U-17 World Cup in India, FIFA announced.
By Samindra Kunti
September 1 – In October India will host their first major international tournament, the U-17 World Cup. Six host cities will welcome 24 teams, including England and debutants New Caledonia. In an interview with Insideworldfootball, tournament director Javier Ceppi discusses the build-up and preparations as local organisers seek to cross the finish line in time for the opening game between the hosts and the United States of America on October 6.
July 10 – It may not be a message for environmental sustainability, but it will help FIFA’s financial sustainability. Coal India has signed up as the third National Supporter for the U-17 World Cup by the Local Organising Committee (LOC).
By Samindra Kunti
July 5 – The All India Football Federation, the AIFF, has expressed its interest in hosting the FIFA Under 20 World Cup in 2019. India is preparing to stage the U17 World Cup later this year in October.
By Samindra Kunti
March 20 – India’s preparations for the U-17 World Cup have been hit following the postponement of two friendlies with Mali. Meanwhile car manufacturer Hero has become a local sponsor for the tournament.
By Samindra Kunti
February 17 – Savio Madeira has been appointed as the new technical director of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) succeeding Scott O’Donnell. Senior coach Stephen Constantine will take over at the U17 team on an interim basis as the hunt for a new coach continues.
By Samindra Kunti
February 8 – The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and their U17 coach Nicolai Adam have parted ways after players claimed abuse by the Hungarian coach. The incident has disrupted India’s preparations for the U17 World Cup on home soil this October.
By Andrew Warshaw
July 11 – Organisers of Indian football, who have had to look on enviously at the strides being made in China, hope the restructuring of the domestic league plus next year’s under-17 World Cup will prove a turning point in the development of the game nationwide.