Football in India: From ISL to the World Cup Dream
Football from the ISL up to the dream of the World Cup. The history of football in India has always been overshadowed by cricket. However, the last decade has witnessed a great change in the sport. Since the introduction of the Indian Super League in 2014, investment in grassroots programs, and with many Indian players making a mark globally, India is edging towards its long-held dream qualification for the FIFA World Cup.
- A Transformational Act for Indian Football, the Indian Super League (ISL) is a league inaugurated in October 2014, which marked a turning point for Indian football. The league has a close resemblance to the world’s famous football leagues and brought to Indian Stadiums a few stars of world football like Alessandro Del Piero, Robert Pires, and Diego Forlán, not only for the entertainment of spectators but also to bring a lot of experience for budding Indian players.
- With the passing years, ISL has raised the footballing levels in India by managing a proper league and good sponsorships with international exposure and by the year 2024, the league expanded to an overwhelming total of 12 teams each comprising a mix of both Indian and foreign players thus ensuring the competitive media environment for the prodigy homegrown talent.
- Climb up the Ladder. The steps have been taken for India’s national team, the Blue Tigers, to get towards consistent improvement. Significant progress in this regard has been achieved under the tutelage of coach Igor Štimac, with India now marking its footprint in the FIFA rankings. The team has moved from 173rd in 2015 to climb to 99th in 2018 and by March 2024, stands at 102nd in the FIFA rankings.
- But the rankings still need to achieve so much more since the target is to have the team in the top 50, which only goes through constant exposure at international tournaments and many more players competing in top European and Asian leagues. Grassroots Development: Investing in the Future. A very big part of making the World Cup dream for India was paying attention to youth development and the AIFF Elite Youth League, Reliance Foundation Young Champs, or even just collaborations with elite European clubs to scout and find young talent.
- The introduction of FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme in India in 2023 added ammunition to grassroots football and is providing technical expertise, coaching programs, and scouting networks that develop players in their formative years.
FIFA World Cup Qualification
Though there has been progress towards it, India’s path to the FIFA World Cup is still steep. The country has not yet qualified for the tournament, but it came very close to doing so in 1950 when it was invited to attend the competition but withdrew for logistical reasons.
India is in the running for qualification in 2026 in the Asian competition. The fixtures lined up against regional giants like Qatar, Uzbekistan, and Kuwait are the ones that will determine whether India can top the competition and bring the country even closer to historic first qualification.
Leading the Charge: India’s Football Star
- Sunil Chhetri
Title: The Captain, Leader, Legend
Key Highlights: India’s greatest footballer, 3rd highest active international goal scorer with 140+ caps & 90+ goals. - Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
Title: The Wall of India
Key Highlights: First Indian to play in UEFA Europa League qualifiers, India’s top goalkeeper with European experience. - Anwar Ali
Title: The Defensive Talent for Tomorrow
Key Highlights: Composed ball-playing defender, key figure in India’s backline. - Sahal Abdul Samad
Title: The Midfield Wizard
Key Highlights: One of India’s most technically gifted midfielders, known for his dribbling and vision. - Lallianzuala Chhangte
Title: India’s Speed Freak
Key Highlights: A pacey and skillful winger, vital for both club and national team attacks. - Manvir Singh
Title: Future Striker
Key Highlights: Strong aerial presence and finishing ability, seen as Chhetri’s successor in attack. - Jeakson Singh
Title: The U-17 World Cup Hero
Key Highlights: Made history by scoring India’s first FIFA tournament goal. - Liston Colaco
Title: The Versatile Attacker
Key Highlights: Creative forward with flair, a promising attacking talent for India. - New Generation
Title: Future Stars
Key Highlights: Vikram Pratap Singh, Bryce Miranda, Rohit Danu, among others, are leading India towards the FIFA World Cup dream.
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