Did you know that India was qualified for FIFA World Cup (but only once in 1950), and since then, we never got qualified again. Well, this is for the people who love Indian football and do not know or still think that why India doesn’t play internationally or should I say, Why India Hasn’t Qualified for FIFA World Cup Till Now.
I’m writing about this as FIFA fever is rising again for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 because the qualifiers are being played globally and will continue till this year’s end to decide which teams or countries will be participating in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Today, we will focus on a more specific topic regarding Indian Football and its early mistakes, which are costing us now with the FIFA Qualification.
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Why India Hasn’t Qualified for FIFA World Cup Till Now
History of India’s Almost Debut in 1950
India’s journey with the FIFA World Cup started surprisingly. In 1950, just a few years after gaining independence, India qualified for the World Cup in Brazil. But instead of making history, the team withdrew before the tournament even began.
Potential Reasons considered or rumoured were:
Financial constraints – The long trip to Brazil was costly.
Lack of preparation – The team had little international exposure.
Footwear failure – There’s a persistent myth that India pulled out because FIFA didn’t allow them to play barefoot, but the official records point more toward logistical and administrative issues.
That withdrawal marked a turning point. While countries like South Korea and Japan steadily improved their football programs, India never truly recovered the momentum.
Is Football Popular in India?
Football is popular in India, but it’s regionally passionate rather than nationally dominant (unlike cricket, I guess).
In West Bengal, football is almost a religion. Kolkata derbies (rivalries) between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal pull massive crowds, whereas in Kerala, people flood the streets to watch World Cup matches—despite India not even playing.
The North-East has produced some of the most technically gifted players in the country, and in Goa, football is part of the culture, with deep Portuguese roots.
However, in the national landscape, football has always been in the shadow of cricket. Cricket monopolizes everything: TV time, sponsorships, corporate backing, and even school-level sports funding. Football has often been left fighting for scraps.
| Suggested for You – Sports That Need More Attention like Cricket in India
Rise of the Indian Super League
The launch of the Indian Super League (ISL) in 2014 brought a wave of optimism. For the first time, football felt professional and mainstream. The league attracted international players and coaches. The stadiums were filled, matches were televised, and fans finally had a league to rally behind.
Celebrities like Ranbir Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan, and John Abraham brought in glitz and media attention. While the ISL is still growing, it gave Indian football something it had lacked for decades: structure, visibility, and marketability.
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—DHANYAVAAD—
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Why India Hasn’t Qualified for FIFA World Cup Till Now
