This is a summary of Unstarred Question No. 2477 in Lok Sabha, to be answered on 15.12.2025, regarding football match invitations to the Argentina team. Adv. Dean Kuriakose asked the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports whether the Government had issued any official invitation to the Argentina Football Team for official matches in the country, and if the All India Football Federation (AIFF) had allowed any private organizations to invite the team. The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, [Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya], responded that the Government had not issued an invitation. AIFF informed that it received an email from Government of Kerala seeking FIFA's approval for hosting an Argentina vs. Australia friendly match in Kerala during the FIFA Window of 10th–18th November 2025, and forwarded this request to FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation. AIFF also received a request from Football Australia seeking support. On 27th October 2025, Football Australia formally withdrew its application for the match.
Key Entities Referenced
All India Football Federation (AIFF): The national governing body for football in India, responsible for allowing private organizations to invite national football teams for playing matches in India.
Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports: The ministry responsible for answering questions in Lok Sabha regarding football match invitations.
FIFA: The international governing body of association football, whose approval was sought for hosting a friendly match.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where questions about football match invitations are raised.
Kerala: The state in India that sought FIFA's approval for hosting a friendly football match.
Government of India
Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports
Department of Sports
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2477
TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025
Football Match Invitations to Argentina Team
2477. ADV DEAN KURIAKOSE:
Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government has given any official invitation to the
Argentina Football Team for official matches in the country;
(b) if so, the details along with the venues and the dates thereof;
(c) whether All India Football Federation (AIFF) has allowed any
private organisations to invite the Argentina National Football team
for playing matches in India; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
[DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA]
(a) No Sir
(b) The question doesn’t arise.
(c) & (d) All India Football Federation (AIFF) has informed that it
received an email from Government of Kerala seeking FIFA’s
approval for hosting an Argentina vs. Australia friendly match in
Kerala, India, during the FIFA Window of 10th–18th November 2025. In
Page 1 of 2response, AIFF forwarded this request to FIFA and Asian Football
Confederation. AIFF also received a request from Football Australia
seeking support and cooperation from AIFF in facilitating all
necessary permissions, approvals, formal clearances, and
procedural requirements related to the match.
As informed by AIFF, on 27th October 2025, Football Australia formally
withdrew its application for the match.
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