BIFA launches India chapter in New Delhi

The BRICS International Football Alliance opened its India chapter in New Delhi on September 23, 2026, with a grassroots football event and gala aimed at building new partnerships across sport, education, technology and community programs. The launch starts BIFA’s India implementation phase and expands its wider BRICS-focused football cooperation network.

Why it matters: - BIFA’s India launch moves the organization from relationship-building into on-the-ground programming. - The India chapter is meant to connect football with youth development, education, women’s sport, community participation and international cooperation. - The effort could create new pathways for Indian players, schools, universities and local football groups.

What happened: - The BRICS International Football Alliance launched its India chapter from New Delhi on September 23, 2026. - The launch centered on a grassroots football day featuring a BIFA vs BIFA+ match. - BIFA also hosted a gala dinner at Eros Hotel, Nehru Place. - Invited representatives from sport, government, business, education, media and the broader international cooperation community attended.

The details: - BIFA said the New Delhi program is the starting point for its implementation roadmap in India. - The roadmap includes grassroots football, youth development, universities, women’s football, community participation, technology, cultural exchange and international cooperation. - BIFA said it has spent about four years building an international football platform across BRICS and Global South markets. - The organization is headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. - BIFA says it has built relationships in the UAE, China, Brazil, including Rio de Janeiro, South Africa, Russia and other markets. - Those engagements have focused on youth development, education, cultural exchange, community participation, media, events and institutional cooperation. - BIFA’s growth has been supported by the International Alliance of BRICS Strategic Projects, an international cooperation platform active since 2016. - That wider ecosystem is intended to link football programs with international relationships, institutional networks and cross-border opportunities. - BIFA says its international work has included football, culture and youth in China. - The group has also engaged the football ecosystem in Brazil and Rio de Janeiro. - BIFA has participated in the wider BRICS Africa sports and cultural environment in South Africa. - The organization has coordinated its international development from the UAE. - The New Delhi program followed BIFA’s recent engagement around the BRICS youth and sports dialogue in India. - After the launch, BIFA will enter structured engagement with potential partners across India. - Target partners include sports institutions, state and local authorities, universities, schools, academies, youth organizations, technology partners, media and the private sector. - BIFA’s India strategy is designed to support football from the bottom up through practical partnerships that complement India’s existing sporting and football institutions. - The planned initiatives include the BIFA Schools Football Programme, university football competitions, district youth football initiatives, women’s football programs, football festivals and coach-development initiatives. - Other planned areas include BRICS youth football exchanges, international training opportunities, football media and storytelling, state-level football cooperation, academy partnerships and sports technology and innovation partnerships. - BIFA says the goal is collaboration that brings its international relationships, brand, programming capability, media reach and cross-border ecosystem into Indian football.

Between the lines: - The launch signals that BIFA is trying to position football as a diplomatic and development tool, not just a sports property. - India appears to be a strategic hub for BIFA’s next stage because it can connect local football activity with the UAE and the broader BRICS and Global South network. - The emphasis on schools, universities and districts suggests BIFA wants to build a pipeline rather than sponsor one-off events. - The mix of sports, technology, media and education partners points to a model that extends beyond match play.

What’s next: - BIFA plans to identify pilot programs and build long-term partnerships across India. - The next phase will focus on turning relationships into programs and programs into opportunities for football communities. - BIFA says future work will center on grassroots football, youth opportunity, education, community participation and international cooperation. - The organization will continue developing its India implementation phase from New Delhi.

The bottom line: - BIFA’s New Delhi launch is the start of a broader India strategy built around grassroots football and cross-border cooperation. - The organization is now trying to convert its international network into practical programs on the ground.