FIFA

The defeat in the last game meant India ended the first round without any win, losing all four fixtures in Group A. The Indian team lost 46-101 and 60-95 against New Zealand and also went down 64-84 to the Philippines in the reverse fixture. However, India still progressed to the second round after the fourth nation in Group A, South Korea, were disqualified following a Covid-19 outbreak in their camp.

The draw for the 16-team event was conducted at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich on Friday. The teams have been divided into four groups of four each, ensuring that two teams from the same FIFA confederation are not in the same group. India will open their campaign in Group A against the United States at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar on October 11.

"We aim to put up a good show. Sweden are number 2 in FIFA world ranking and to play against them will be difficult - that too in Sweden. But it will be important as to how we approach the game. We need to have faith and courage to face a team like this. We want to grow as a footballing nation," the coach asserted prior to the first match in the 3-nation tournament.

The world's football governing body has published an independent report on Saturday, highlighting the increasing degree of abuse directed at footballers on social media platforms. In this report England's problem with social media abuse was emphasised after the defeat to Italy in the Euro 2020 final, in which Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka were viciously attacked online after missing penalties

Meanwhile, the showpiece game is set to be played in Navi Mumbai on October 30. The schedule further revealed that the 24 group stage games will conclude on October 18 and the matches will be shared among all three host states - Odisha, Goa and Maharashtra. The quarterfinal round of games will be held on 21st and 22nd October following which the semis will be held on October 26.

A strong team display, along with the heroics of the substitute goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne, helped seal Australia's spot in the quadrennial showpiece, set to commence in November this year. Australia join reigning world champions France, Tunisia, and Denmark in Group D. An emotional Australia head coach Graham Arnold termed the triumph as a milestone moment for football in the country and one that will sit alongside the achievements of the Socceroos' World Cup and qualifying squads from 1974, 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018.

The journey for the Indian efootball team kicked-off in January 2021 when AIFF signed the participation agreement with FIFA for the FIFAe Nations Series 2021. India was among 60 countries to participate and was placed in the Middle East & Africa Zone. India finished 3rd in its zone, narrowly missing out on a place in the FIFAe Nations Playoffs 2021.

Speaking on the eve of India's first match of their Group D third-round qualifier against Cambodia in Kolkata on Wednesday, Jhingan said, "Everyone wants to be at the World Cup, every football fan and player. To reach that level, we need to be regulars in the Asian Cup. That is the first stepping stone to going toward the ultimate dream."

In all 44 participating nations were divided into 10 centralised qualifying groups, six of which will feature four teams, while four groups will include five sides. India, who hosted the U17 FIFA World Cup in 2017 and will host the women's event in October this year, are in the group with five members, as per the draw conducted in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

La'eeb is an Arabic word meaning super-skilled player. He belongs to a parallel mascot-verse that is indescribable -- everyone is invited to interpret what it looks like. La'eeb encourages everyone to believe in themselves as 'Now is All', the Supreme Committee said in a press statement. He will bring the joy of football to everyone, added the statement. The adventurous, fun and curious La'eeb was unveiled during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 draw, which took place in Doha.