Kolkata is making extensive preparations to host five-time FIFA World Cup champions Brazil for a historic friendly match against the Indian football team at Swami Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan on 3 October. The stadium pitch and locker rooms have been prepared to welcome international stars including Vinicius Junior, Bruno Guimarães, and Raphinha. The All India Football Federation alongside the West Bengal government has implemented robust security and organizational measures to ensure smooth conduct following past event issues. The fixture marks a historic moment where the Blue Tigers face world-ranked fifth Brazil, followed by a match against Uruguay.
While emotions ran high after the FIFA World Cup final, one post-match moment stood out above the chaos. As several Argentina and Spain players were involved in heated confrontations following the final whistle, including one Argentine player being sent off, Spain's teenage star Lamine Yamal shared a warm embrace with Lionel Messi. The heartfelt exchange, captured on camera, quickly went viral on social media, with many fans describing it as a symbolic passing of the torch from one generation to the next. Yamal was also seen consoling the Argentine captain in the aftermath of the dramatic contest, offering a striking contrast to the tensions unfolding elsewhere on the pitch. For many viewers, the brief interaction became one of the defining images of the final, highlighting mutual respect and sportsmanship despite the fierce rivalry.
This episode of News Today covers the Sansad Chalo march in Delhi, where students protesting the NEET paper leak and National Testing Agency oversight clashed with police near Jantar Mantar. Incidents of stone pelting, tear gas, and lathi charges resulted in injuries and the dispersal of crowds at India Gate, Rajiv Chowk, and Connaught Place. A delegation from the Cockroach Janta Party met a Union minister to demand the education minister’s resignation, compensation for families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide, and the release of an activist on hunger strike. Panellists debate government dialogue, examination reform, and the right to protest. The bulletin reports on Parliament adjournments, Jammu and Kashmir statehood protests, floods, a police officer’s death, and West Asia tensions. In sports, Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time to secure the FIFA World Cup victory. Analysts discuss Spain’s possession tactics, the goal in minute 106, and the future of an Argentina player.
Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia said he was "sad to see Messi cry" after Argentina's World Cup final defeat to Spain, adding that the tournament could mark the end of Lionel Messi's international career. In an exclusive conversation with Rajdeep Sardesai, Bhutia reflected on Messi's legacy, Argentina's campaign, Spain's World Cup triumph and what the Argentine great has meant to football across generations.
Ten years after announcing his Argentina retirement at MetLife, Lionel Messi returned to the same stadium for another final and another heartbreak.
India Today's Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai joins football experts Karim Bencherifa, Ranjeet Bajaj, Siddhant Aney and host Nikhil Naz for a special FIFA World Cup final preview. Can Lionel Messi inspire Argentina to glory, or will Spain's young stars complete their fairytale run? The panel discusses it all in this roundtable session.
Lionel Messi spent more than two decades in Barcelona, building one of football’s greatest club careers. Now, Spain stand between Argentina and back-to-back World Cup titles.
The latest episode of Statecraft covers the ongoing legal battle over the Bharat Hindu Samaj Temple in Peterborough, UK. The city council's decision to sell the decades-old temple complex to an Islamic organisation has sparked a debate over vote bank politics and the marginalisation of Britain's Hindu community.
The big talking point of this episode of News Today is the escalating tension in West Asia. Geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated following missile strikes and blockades around the Strait of Hormuz, driving global oil prices past eighty-four dollars per barrel.
Kerala's football fever has found a unique local expression during the FIFA World Cup, with football-themed dhotis flying off the shelves alongside team jerseys. Shopkeepers say Argentina, Brazil and Portugal-inspired mundus have become some of the most sought-after items this tournament.
The US-Iran conflict has escalated, with Iranian cruise missiles striking two UAE oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in the death of one Indian sailor and injuries to six other Indian nationals.
An Iranian missile strike on UAE vessels in the Strait of Hormuz killed Indian seafarer Rohan Kumar and injured nine others, prompting India's Ministry of External Affairs to summon the Iranian Deputy Chief of Mission.
FIFA World Cup fever has spread across the country as the tournament reaches the semifinal stage. In West Bengal's Durgapur, a local sweet maker and diehard Lionel Messi fan has crafted a lifelike, life-size statue of the Argentine legend.
Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland's friendship deserves its own highlight reel.
The Karnataka government has extended food service hours for restaurants, hotels, and eateries to facilitate late-night screenings of the FIFA World Cup.
Anastasia Kostromitina talks about going viral, embracing the comparisons, and more.
From stadiums singing "Hey Jude" to viral quad photos and luxury fashion campaigns, Jude Bellingham is having a moment like few footballers ever have.
This edition of 5 Live covers several national developments, starting with the investigation into the suicide of a nine-year-old school student in Jaipur.
France are one win away from the World Cup final, and their front three are the biggest reason why.
Did Argentina get favourable refereeing against Egypt? Why did both Argentine fans and Egypt's coach question the referee even before kickoff? And how does FIFA actually choose referees for the World Cup?
