India, who had a successful qualifying campaign for the prestigious competition, qualifying as the third-round Group winner, were in pot 4 for the draw that was conducted in Doha. India will now be in Group B for the 2024 AFC Asian Cup. Twenty-four teams were divided into four pots, and drawn into six groups of four teams each for the tournament that was originally scheduled to take place in China this summer.
India have qualified for back-to-back editions of the tournament for the first time. The one in Qatar's capital will be their fifth appearance in the tournament. In the last edition, India started with a convincing win against Thailand but lost their last two matches and got knocked out of the tournament. Qatar as host were automatically drawn into Group A and will play the tournament opener. Iran were placed in Group C as Japan were drawn in Group D. South Korea were placed in Group E while Saudi Arabia were drawn in Group F.
AFC Asian Cup 2024: India Fixtures
The rescheduled tournament will take place from January 12, 2024, to February 10, 2024, across eight venues in Qatar. India will open their AFC Asian Cup 2024 campaign against Australia on January 13, 2024. Then they will face Uzbekistan on January 17 and Syria on January 22 to end the group stage.
DPDL Launches Nationwide Campaign to Tackle Age Fraud in Youth Football
Double Pass Development League (DPDL) has announced a new regulatory framework, designed to curb age and identity fraud, which includes a two-season limit per age group and the introduction of the DPDL Digital ID Card.
In a major step toward strengthening the integrity of grassroots and youth football in India, the Double Pass Development League (DPDL) has announced the rollout of a comprehensive set of age verification reforms for the upcoming season.
Image | DPDL
The new regulatory framework is designed to curb age and identity fraud — a growing concern that has undermined the credibility of youth competitions nationwide.
Founded in 2019, the Double Pass Development League (DPDL) is India’s largest AIFF-approved grassroots and youth football league. With operations in multiple cities including Bengaluru, Mumbai and New Delhi, and a partnership with European football development leader Double Pass, DPDL delivers structured, competitive, and long-term development environments for players aged 5 to 18.
The new measures, effective immediately across all DPDL cities, aim to ensure fair participation, safeguard honest academies, and promote age-appropriate player development.
The league, which has operated since 2019 in partnership with Belgium-based Double Pass and is recognised by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), is among the most structured youth football ecosystems in the country.
Introduction of the DPDL Digital ID Card Each player will now receive a unique DPDL ID card embedded with a photograph, date of birth, verified documents, and a QR code for on-ground verification. This will be scanned at match venues to prevent impersonation and misrepresentation.
Two-Season Limit Per Age Category In a move to ensure players compete at appropriate age levels, individuals will now be allowed to participate in a single age category for a maximum of two seasons. This rule will also take into account participation in past seasons dating back to 2019.
Independent Age Verification Committee An expert panel will be established to evaluate disputed or extreme cases of suspected age discrepancy. The committee will include senior DPDL officials, football association representatives, pediatric specialists, and documentation experts. Where necessary, advanced assessments such as TW3 bone age tests may be recommended.
Two-Year Ban for Proven Violations Teams found guilty of age or identity fraud will face suspension from all DPDL competitions for two consecutive seasons. The league has also stated that coaches or staff complicit in such cases may be subject to further disciplinary measures.
Standardised Physical Benchmarks for Younger Age Groups For the U7, U9, and U11 categories, DPDL will implement height and weight benchmarks defined by pediatric consultants. This step addresses concerns regarding physical dominance in early age groups that may not align with documented age.
“Youth football must be built on the pillars of fairness and integrity,” said Sarthak Dubey, Founder and CEO of DPDL. “These reforms are not just administrative updates — they are essential safeguards to ensure that honest players and ethical academies are protected. We are committed to building a credible and transparent footballing pathway for India.”
The announcement builds on DPDL’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its integrity framework, following isolated incidents in past seasons where discrepancies in player documentation and eligibility were identified.
In each confirmed case, the league took prompt and appropriate disciplinary action — including point deductions, disqualification from knockout stages, and temporary suspensions of involved personnel — reinforcing its commitment to fair play and accountability.
With the new framework in place, DPDL hopes to set a national benchmark for how youth football leagues across the country address age fraud.
Note: This article has been created from an official press release
Top 10: Most Free-kick Goals In Football History (Updated)
Lionel Messi, with his stunning free-kick goal against FC Porto for Inter Miami in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, has now moved up to the third position in the top 10 list of most free-kick goals in football history.
Free kicks or set pieces are one of the most effective methods to score a goal. However, it is also the hardest thing in football. But be it from outside the box or 30 yards from the box, free-kicks are one of the most beautiful things to watch in football when done correctly.
In this article, today we will list the player with the most free-kick goals in football history.
Who has scored the most free-kick goals?
This is a regular question asked in football quizzes. To give your answer, it is Juninho Pernambucano from Brazil who has scored the most free-kick goals. He has scored 77 free-kick goals in his career.
Most Free-Kick Goals: Messi or Ronaldo?
Whenever one discusses any football record, you can not leave Messi and Ronaldo out of it. At least, the fans can not leave it out. So, who has scored the most free-kick goals? Messi or Ronaldo?
Lionel Messi has overtaken Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of the most free-kick goals scored. Messi now has 66 free-kick goals, whereas Cristiano has 64 free-kick goals.
If we break down the records of both Messi and Ronaldo, Messi has only 5 Champions League goals from the dead ball, and Ronaldo has 12. Messi has scored 57 free-kick goals in his club career, while Ronaldo has 53 against his name.
The Premier League is said to be one of the toughest places to play football. Many greats have failed in the Premier League; however, many have flourished in the league as a legend of the game.
David Beckham has scored the most goals by a free-kick in Premier League history. He has scored as many as 18 times from the dead ball in his Premier League career.
Here is the list of players with the most free-kick goals in the Premier League-
Juninho has scored the most free-kick goals in football history.
Known as the magnificent 7, Juninho was the best when it came to scoring from a dead-ball situation. The former Olympique Lyonnais legend and midfielder scored as many as 77 goals from set-pieces. Juninho is considered the greatest free-kick taker of all time.
He was also the inventor of the knuckle-ball technique shoots as well.
#2 Pele - 70 free-kick goals
Pele taking a free-kick in 1966. Image | X
The king of football, Pele, has scored 70 goals from set pieces. Pele could bend the ball both ways with fierce power.
Moreover, his immense game knowledge to out-think the goalkeeper helped him net the ball more often than not. The Brazilian striker's 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, which include friendlies, are recognised as a Guinness World Record.
#3 Lionel Messi: 68 Free-kick goals
There is hardly any top 10 attacking list or record in football where you will not find the Argentine maestro, Lionel Messi. Although before 2014, Messi was not considered prolific from the dead ball, he has just proved everyone wrong with his free-kick record since then.
Till now, the Argentinian legend has scored 68 free-kick goals. 57 of those have come for the clubs he has played and 11 for Argentina.
More than that, Messi now has scored a free-kick in every 16.3 match, which speaks volumes for his accuracy from the deadball position.
The Argentine from the 1970s is considered to be the greatest player in Mendoza football. Along with his stunning shooting ability, Victor was known for his 12 Olympic Goals for Argentina as well. There is a stadium named after him in Argentina.
#5 Ronaldinho- 66 free-kick goals
Ronaldinho scored 66 free-kick goals in his career. Image | Goal
The magician from Brazil was brilliant from any position. Ronaldinho had everything as a footballer. Hence, having the skill to net the ball from a distance was also in his armoury. The Brazilian legend scored 66 goals from set-pieces in his career.
David Beckham taking the famous free-kick that took England to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The famous phrase, "Bend it like Beckham", suggests how good Beckham was when it came to scoring from a free-kick. Beckham scored 65 goals from set-pieces in his career. His free-kick to take England to the 2002 FIFA World Cup is still cherished as one of the best moments in English football.
With his latest free-kick goal in the Saudi Pro League 2024 against Al-Fayha FC, Ronaldo has now moved to the seventh position in the most free-kick goals list. The Portuguese legend now has 64 free-kick goals against his name. With this free-kick goal, Ronaldo now has scored a free-kick goal every season since 2003-04.
Ronaldo till now has scored 53 free-kick goals for the clubs he has featured for and 11 for his national team, Portugal. He has now scored a free-kick in every 20.0 games.
#8 Diego Maradona- 62 free-kick goals
Maradona taking a free-kick in the 1986 FIFA World Cup
The legend of Argentine football is one of the best in the history of the game. Maradona scored nearly 20% of his career goals with free-kicks. His free-kick against Juventus for Napoli is known as the 'Divine Free-Kick'. Diego scored 62 goals from set pieces in his career.
#9 Zico - 62 free-kick goals
Image | Facebook
Brazilian legend Zico scored 62 free-kick goals in his career. He was very accurate in his shooting skills. Zico is considered one of the world's best players of the late 1970s and early 1980s. The attacking midfielder was very accurate with his kicks. Along with his accuracy, his languid run-up was very famous in his era.
The former Barcelona player and manager is known as one of the highest-scoring defenders of all time. The Dutch defensive midfielder also had his share of success with Ajax.
Koeman has scored nearly 25% of his goals with free-kicks. He is one of the high-scoring defenders in his era. Koeman scored 215 goals in his career and is one of the highest-scoring defenders ever.
#11 Rogerio Ceni - 59 goals
To the shock of everyone, Ceni was a goalkeeper and he has scored 59 goals from dead-ball situations in his career. Ceni is the highest-scoring goalkeeper in the history of the game. He has scored 131 goals in his career.
Except for one goal, all of them came from penalties and free-kicks. The Brazilian played for 25 years, most of that for São Paulo.
Marcelinho is nicknamed "Pé-de-Anjo" for his accuracy with free-kicks. The attacking midfielder from Brazil has collected more trophies with Corinthians than any other player in their history. However, Marcelinho failed to feature in any World Cup matches for Brazil. Marcelinho has 505 goals in his career.
From World Cup to continental championships, discover the titans of global football and their achievements. We bring you the football teams with most international trophies with Argentina leading the pack. Check out who joins them.
In the sphere of international football, legacy is not built on sentiment but on unmatched achivement. What truly counts for a national team are the trophies won at the global stage, leaving everyone behind in the race!
This list will provide you an overview of the football teams with most international trophies. Read the full article to know about their dominance in the world of football.
1. Argentina (23 international trophies)
Argentina lifting the FIFA World Cup 2022. Image | Mint
Argentina stands as the titan in international football, having 23 trophies in their cabinet, with a rich legacy shaped by raw talent and passionate play.
Their identity is deeply rooted in the genius of legendary players such as Diego Maradona, whose individual brilliance almost single-handedly sealed the 1986 World Cup, and Lionel Messi, who finally cemented his legacy in 2022 World Cup after years of carrying the team's hope.
Brazil lifting the Confederations Cup in 2013. Image | FIFA
One of the greatest footballing nations, Brazil, holds 20 international trophies in their stunning cabinet. They are widely recognised as a nation that produce players who redefine the sport.
Legendary figures like Pele, Garrincha, and modern maestros like Ronaldinho and Romario, have all contributed to Brazil's success in achieving this milestone. Their contributions have not been just about winning, but about entertaining and inspiring.
Uruguay possesses a truly remarkable legacy in international football, regardless of its small population. They are just one trophy away to reach enter the twenties in their international trophies count, with 19 so far.
Legendary players like Obdulio Varela and Alcides Ghiggia, who had immense contribution in 1950 World Cup win, and more recently, Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez, have all profoundly shaped Uruguay's rich footballing narrative.
Mexico winning the 2023 COMCACAF Gold Cup. Image | Instagram
Mexico holds a proud legacy as the dominant force in CONCACAF football, known for their passionate fan base, technical prowess, and ability to frequently challenge stronger nations.
Hugo Sanchez, Rafael Marquez, and Cuauhtemoc Blanco, are some names served in achieving the 14 international trophies.
USA lifting the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2021. Image | NDTV
The USA has steadily built a legacy of growing competitiveness and professionalism, establishing itself as a successful team within the CONCACAF region.
Players like Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, and Tim Howard, have elevated the team's standing and inspired a new generation of American footballers. They currently hold the 5th place with 10 international trophies.
International trophy cabinet of the USA:
Tournament
Count
Years
CONCACAF Championship/ Gold Cup
7
1991, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2017, 2021
CONCACAF Nations League
3
2021, 2023, 2024
6. France (8 international trophies)
France lifting the 2018 World Cup. Image | Instagram
France holds the sixth place with 8 international trophies achivement elegantly with the efforts of world-class players and athletic brilliance. From Michel Platini of the 1980s to Kylian Mbappe, an explosive forward who's carrying the winning legacy in recent years, this team have come a long way.
Their contributions have led to some historic victories that shaped French football.
Germany lifting the 2014 World Cup. Image | Sportsnet
Germany's legacy in international football is built on resilience, discipline and strong winning mentality. They have won 8international trophies which gracefully shine in their cabinet.
Legendary players like Franz Beckenbauer, the elegant "Der Kaiser" who revolutionized the sweeper role; Gerd Muller, the prolific striker; and Lothar Matthaus, a midfield powerhouse, have shaped the team's consistent success.
International trophy cabinet of Germany:
Tournament
Count
Years
World Cup
4
1954, 1974, 1990, 2014
European Championship
3
1972, 1980, 1996
Confederations Cup
1
2017
8. Egypt (7 international trophies)
Egypt lifts the AFCON in 2010. Image | CAF Online
Egypt holds an unparalleled legacy as the most successful nation in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations, having great consistency and dominance on the continental stage.
The "Pharaohs" are known for their tactical discipline, and ability to perform under pressure in crucial matches, which brought them 7 international trophies.
The most memorable victory for Egypt was their achievement of winning three consecutive Africa Cup of Nations titles in 2006, 2008, and 2010, a feat that cemented their status as the kings of African football.
International trophy cabinet of Egypt:
Tournament
Count
Years
Africa Cup of Nations
7
1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010
9. Spain (6 international trophies)
Spain lifts the 2010 World Cup. Image | Sportstar
Spain's legacy in international football is linked to their "tiki-taka" style, a philosophy of possession-based, intricate passing football that brought unparallaled success.
This approach led to an era of consistent dominance, including a historic treble from 2008 to 2012. Legendary figures like Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and Iker Casillas were instrumental in this golden age.
Recently, the new generation talents like Lamine Yamal and Pedri, has emerged, further contributing to add up the numbers of their international trophies, which currently counts to 6.
Italy won 6 internationaltrophies in their football journey, with four World Cup wins among them. They have the capability to rise when it matters most for the nation.
Legendary players like Paolo Maldini, Gianluigi Buffon, and others have left an incredible mark on the history of team's success. The 2006 FIFA World Cup remains a memorable victory where the Azzurri peaked.
International trophy cabinet of Italy:
Tournament
Count
Years
World Cup
4
1934, 1938, 1982, 2006
European Championship
2
1968, 2020
11. New Zealand (6 international trophies)
New Zealand lifts their 6th OFC Nations Cup in 2024. Image | Pinterest
New Zealand won 6 international trophies and all of them were OFC Nations Cup wins, reflecting their dominance within the Oceania confederation. Their strong team spirit and discipline gets them the ability to qualify for the World Cup despite being a smaller footballing nation.
Their qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where they remained undefeated in the group stage, drawing all 3 of their matches against strong opponents, stands as a particularly memorable achievement.
International trophy cabinet of New Zealand:
Tournament
Count
Years
OFC Nations Cup
6
1973, 1998, 2002, 2008, 2016, 2024
12. Cameroon (5 international trophies)
Cameroon lifts the AFCON in 2017. Image | Mint
Cameroon, known as the "Indomitable Lions," has forged a legacy as one of Africa's most successful footballing nations. They have achieved 5 international trophies so far, and are in own by their raw power, athleticism, and a fearless, adventurous approach to the game.
The 1990 FIFA World Cup remains their most memorable victory, where they shocked reigning champions Argentina in the opening match and became the first African team to reach the quarter-finals, with their commendable performances.
Australia lifts the AFC Asian Cup in 2015. Image | Socceroos
Australia, also known as "Socceroos," have evolved from a dominant force in Oceania to a competitive presence in Asia and a consistent participant on the global stage of football.
They have won 5international trophies so far, with players like Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka being the central to their footballing journey.
A standout memorable victory for Australia was winning the AFC Asian Cup on home soil in 2015, that increased their status as a leading footballing nation within the Asian confederation.
National Football team coach Manolo Marquez has decided to resign after team's poor performance against Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.
Manolo Marquez, who could not even beat a weak team like Hong Kong, which is 26th behind the Indian team in the FIFA rankings, mailed his resignation to the federation the night after the match. The federation has decided to officially announce the resignation of the national coach around Wednesday afternoon.
Indian men’s football has endured a challenging 18 months, marked by a single victory in 16 matches since the start of 2024. A 1-0 defeat to Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup qualifier on Tuesday exacerbated the situation, bringing the team’s struggles into sharp focus.
Fan discontent with head coach Igor Stimac’s successor, Manolo Marquez, have intensified after a string of demoralising losses, including three consecutive goalless games against Bangladesh, Thailand, and Hong Kong, leaving fans questioning the team’s ability. India’s hopes of qualifying for the 2027 Asia Cup are now precarious, and speculation surrounds Marquez’s future.
Marquez has not formally tendered his resignation
Rumours of Marquez’s potential resignation had already started doing the rounds as sources suggest that the Spaniard, who replaced Stimac in July 2024, is contemplating stepping down within a year of his appointment.
However, an All India Football Federation (AIFF) source confirmed Marquez has not formally tendered his resignation. The federation awaits official communication from him regarding his intentions but that too many not be simple.
“He can do so only after mutual agreement, that the AIFF gives him permission to part ways," an AIFF source said.
“We have not got any request in writing from Manolo that he wants to leave from the job. We can apply our mind only after he informs us what he wants," the source added.
India must win their remaining four matches
India must win their remaining four matches to maintain any hope of qualification, currently languishing at the bottom of their group. While home and away fixtures against Singapore are scheduled for the October international break, Marquez’s presence for those games remains uncertain.
Discover the PSG phenoms Senny Mayulu and Desire Doue, who etched their names in the history of youngest goalscorers in Champions League finals after scoring against Inter Milan to win their first UCL title.
The UEFA Champions League final represents the pinnacle of Europeam Club football, a stage where heroes are crowned. For any player, scoring in this momentous match is a big achivement, and for a few, that moment comes at an astonishingly young age!
Dive into the list of 5 youngest goalscorers in Champions League finals, with the spotlight on recent additions of Paris Saint-Germain's Mayulu and Doue, who have etched their names on this exclusive list.
5. Lars Ricken (20 years 322 days) | 1997
Lars Ricken scoring a goal against Juventus in 1997 Champions League finals. Image | Bundesliga
In 1997, Borussia Dortmund's local boy, Lars Ricken etched his name into Champions League final history with a goal against Juventus. Coming on as a substitute, he took just 16 seconds to score the goal after entering the pitch!
At just 20 years and 322 days old, his impactful goal helped Dortmund secure a 3-1 victory, and it still remains one of the most iconic moments in UCL finals history.
4. Desire Doue (19 years 362 days) | 2025
Desire Doue celebrates after scoring a brilliant goal against Inter Milan in 2025 Champions League finals. Image | Instagram
The 2025 UEFA Champions League final saw a remarkably young talent make his mark on field. Desire Doue added his name in this list of youngest goalscorers with scoring twice (20' , 63') in the finals against Inter Milan.
He scored the second and third goal of the match, which significantly gave PSG a boost in this high-stakes match. His attacking style and dominant gameplay at just 19 years and 362 days of age, was great to watch.
Doue's name will be forever treasured in the books of PSG's success in UEFA Champions League.
Carlos Alberto celebrates his goal in the 2004 Champions League finals. Image | Instagram
Carlos Alberto of FC Porto scored a stunning goal in the 2004 Champions League finals at the age of 19 years and 167 days. He scored the first goal of the match, which eventually led to a victory of 3-0 against AS Monaco FC.
He delivered a memorable moment for the team and became the key figure in Porto's surprising triumph, that too, for their second UCL title.
2. Senny Mayulu (19 years 14 days) | 2025
Senny Mayulu celebrates after scoring a goal for PSG in 2025 Champions League. Image | BBC
In the electrifying final of 2025 Champions League, PSG got another young talent who didn't just play; he made history. Senny Mayulu, at just 19 years and 14 days old, became the second-youngest goalscorer ever in the Champions League final.
Mayulu scored the final goal in their 5-0 victory against Inter Milan, and his strike in a match of such immense pressure solidified his status as an emerging player for the Parisian giants.
Patrick Kluivert celebrates his 1995 Champions League final goal for Ajax. Image | Instagram
Topping the list as the youngest goalscorer in Champions League final is Patrick Kluivert. In 1995 final, playing for Ajax, he scored the decisive goal in the 85th minute, securing a 1-0 victory against AC Milan.
At just 18 years and 327 days of age, his crucial finish brought Ajax's fifth UCL title home, and established him as an iconic talent who made history in European football's grandest stage.
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