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Indian men’s, women’s and youth football teams set for busy September-October international window, including Brazil and Uruguay matches: All you need to know
The Indian football team is set for an action packed schedule in the upcoming international window during the months of September and October with the men’s, women’s and age group youth level teams taking on high-profile foreign teams across three different cities. The highlight remains the senior men’s team’s clashes against three FIFA World Cup 2026 playing nations. truewildgame.com
The Blue Tigers will be taking on opponents from the highly talented continent of South America. Khalid Jamil’s men will kick-off the international window with a clash against Panama on September 25 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, though the match was initially scheduled for the 26th of the month, it was eventually shifted to a day before due to a marathon taking place at the venue.
Also Read: Ballon d’Or 2026: Messi, Yamal lead 30-man shortlist, Ronaldo misses out
The Indian U-17 women’s team will also be in action during this window as they are scheduled to face Philippines on September 26 and 29 in Goa. The U-15 boys are also slated to lock horns with two different opponents across multiple matches this month as well as in October.
The U-15 unit will first face Iran U-15 on September 28, 29 and 30 with all the matches taking place in Bengaluru. These three friendlies will give the Indians plenty of exposure and experience as the Iranians are among the top five ranked football teams across Asia.
Attention will then turn to the senior men’s team, who after facing Panama on September 25th, will go head-to-head against five-time world champions Brazil. This will be the Blue Tigers’ first-ever meeting with the Selecao and the fixture is scheduled to take place on October 3rd at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium, which also hosted Argentina great Lionel Messi back in 2011.
Brazil, under the coaching of Carlo Ancelotti, is expected to send its senior team to India with the likes of Raphinha, Vinicius Jr and Marquinhos, all expected to be a part of the travelling squad. This will perhaps be the biggest match for the Indians in the past couple of years.
It should be noted that the All India Football Federation gave up on the chance to feature in the first-ever FIFA ASEAN Cup in order to host three South American opponents, including Ancelotti’s Brazil. The Blue Tigers will conclude the international window with another 90 minutes against inaugural world champions Uruguay on October 6th at Kolkata.
The Indian women’s senior team will also participate in two friendlies against Russia on October 8th and 11th, while the U-15 boys team face Uzbekistan on 8th, 9th and 10th of next month after the two friendlies against Iran.
Live streaming details of all these matches are awaited but it is surely going to be a carnival.
'I'm worried. I miss him a lot...': Wasim Akram on Imran Khan
Former pacer Wasim Akram has become another high-profile cricketer to express his concerns over the health of former Pakistan's skipper Imran Khan by saying that "as far as his health is concerned, there can be no compromise".
"I haven't spoken to him for three years. It's so unfortunate, politically, what's happening with him. The court of law is the court of law. But as far as his health is concerned, there can be no compromise on that," he told the Athletic.
He then said that Imran's health needs to be safeguarded, and the former pacer is worried about the 73-year-old legendary cricketer.
"There's a movement in England and elsewhere (to improve Imran's conditions) but here (in Pakistan)? I'm not so sure," said Akram.
"I'm speaking from the heart as someone who is worried about him as a person. Convicted or not convicted. Jail or no jail. We need to safeguard his health. We don't know what's happening, the government are saying his health apparently is fine. But I'm worried. I miss him a lot," he added.
Last week, legendary West Indies batsman Brian Lara joined a host of former international captains in seeking proper medical treatment for the 73-year-old cricketer.
As many as 22 international captains wrote an open letter to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, demanding proper medical care and humane treatment for Imran.
Javed Miandad and Kapil Dev express concerns over Imran Khan's health
Earlier, Pakistan batting great Javed Miandad broke down while speaking about the imprisonment of his former teammate and 1992 World Cup-winning captain Imran.
“He is an honest man. He is not someone who engages in corrupt practices, otherwise he would have done a lot of things,” Miandad said in an interview with the Narrative YouTube channel.
“What will happen if you let him out? Will he eat or damage someone?” he added, visibly emotional while speaking.
Legendary Indian cricket icon Kapil Dev on Monday appealed for proper treatment of Imran.
"We don't know the law of the country, that's fine. But there should be humility and basic facilities for a prisoner, whoever may be. And he was a former Prime Minister of the country and a top cricketer of the world," he said.
"We want he should get the best treatment. What we are asking for, we are not asking for anything else; we are not asking for any replies. We are requesting," added Dev.
(With Inputs from Agencies)
US Open 2026: Francis Tiafoe’s dream run continues as the American stuns Alex Michelsen to reach semi-finals
Frances Tiafoe’s dream run continued in the on-going 2026 US Open as he produced a stunning comeback win against fellow American Alex Michelsen to reaching the semi-finals in New York for the third time in his career. The 11th seed fought back from two sets down to win 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(6) in a match that lasted four hours and 38 minutes.
Tiafoe looked close to going out when Michelsen took control of the match. The 22-year-old had never gone this far at a Grand Slam before and was playing with confidence. He hit 21 aces and made the most of his chances early on. Tiafoe, however, refused to let the match slip away.
The turning point came in the third set. Michelsen was serving for the match at 5-4, but Tiafoe broke back and then won the set. From there, the American began to find his rhythm. His forehand started causing problems, and he played with more aggression as the match went on.
The fourth set went Tiafoe’s way, but the fifth was a battle. Michelsen led 3-0, yet Tiafoe stayed in the contest. The match finally went to a tie-break, where Tiafoe held his nerve to complete one of the biggest comebacks of his career.
The win means Tiafoe has now reached the US Open semi-finals in 2022, 2024 and 2026. His earlier runs ended against Carlos Alcaraz, but this time he is hoping for a different result. He will face either Alcaraz or fellow American Ben Shelton in the last four.
Tiafoe’s form has been building through the tournament. He defeated Daniil Medvedev in straight sets in the fourth round, winning 7-6(1), 6-4, 7-6(6). That victory gave him the confidence to take on Michelsen, who had also been enjoying a strong run.
The American has also been one of the biggest crowd favourites in New York. His energy, attacking style and ability to connect with fans have made him a popular figure at the US Open. But this year, he is looking beyond just entertaining the crowd.
Tiafoe has said he feels he is a better player than he was during his previous semi-final appearances. He believes he has grown as a player and is now aiming for something bigger.
Andy Roddick remains the last American man to win the US Open, doing so in 2003. Tiafoe now has a chance to go one step closer to ending that long wait. Tiafoe will now await his semi-final opponent with the match set to take place on September 12 at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
US Open: Jessica Pegula beats Emma Navarro to reach third consecutive semifinal
New York [US], September 9 (ANI): Third seed Jessica Pegula continued her impressive run at the US Open, defeating compatriot Emma Navarro 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in an all-American quarterfinal to reach the semifinals at Flushing Meadows for the third consecutive year.
Pegula, 32, overcame a slow start and a set down to complete the comeback at Arthur Ashe Stadium. She will next face world No. 1 and two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, according to US Open website.
Navarro, 25, made the stronger start and took the opening set 6-3 after Pegula struggled with her serve. The third seed committed three double faults in one game as she fell 2-4 behind.
No one in women’s tennis has more wins this season! pic.twitter.com/ufXbPEh7xz
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2026
Pegula responded strongly in the second set, although both players continued to trade breaks early on. With the score level at 4-4, Navarro committed a double fault while serving at 30-30, handing Pegula her first set point. The American converted to level the match at one set apiece.
Pegula then took control in the deciding set. After holding serve to move 3-2 ahead, she broke Navarro for a 4-2 lead and maintained her advantage to close out the match 6-3.
The victory added to Pegula’s strong 2026 season, during which she has won titles in Dubai and Charleston and reached three other finals in Cincinnati, Washington and Berlin. She also reached the Australian Open semifinals earlier this year.
For Navarro, the defeat ended her hopes of returning to the US Open semifinals after her breakthrough run to the last four in 2024.
Pegula will now face a familiar opponent in Sabalenka. She has a 4-9 record against the world No. 1 and has lost their last two US Open meetings, including last year’s semifinal and the 2024 final.
Pegula is also among four players in contention for the world No. 1 ranking. She would claim the top spot if she wins the US Open title and Elena Rybakina fails to reach the semifinals.
At age 32, Pegula was also the oldest of the elite eight in New York—and if she takes the title here, she’d be the second-oldest player to win her first Grand Slam championship, following Flavia Pennetta, who was 33 when she claimed the crown at the 2015 US Open. (ANI)
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