Football in India

{{further|History of Indian football|India national football team at the Olympics}}

British soldiers introduced football into India in the mid-nineteenth century.{{cite web|url=https://lifestyle.livemint.com/news/talking-point/how-football-kicked-off-in-india-111645287939737.html|title=How football kicked off in India {{!}} As with the English language, when the British transported the sport to India, they didn't expect the 'natives' to beat them at it|website=lifestyle.livemint.com|publisher=Livemint Delhi|date=8 June 2018|access-date=27 January 2022|first=Manu S|last=Pillai|location=Delhi, India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714153151/https://lifestyle.livemint.com/news/talking-point/how-football-kicked-off-in-india-111645287939737.html|archive-date=14 July 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bongodorshon.com/home/story_detail/story-of-legendary-football-coach-dukkhiram|first=Chandak|last=Guha|website=bongodorshon.com|publisher=Bongodorshon Information Desk|language=bn|trans-title=The Englishmen too feared Bengal's legendary first football coach|title=ইংরেজরাও ভয় পেত বাংলার প্রথম কিংবদন্তি ফুটবল কোচকে|location=Kolkata|agency=|date=5 September 2019|access-date=24 October 2022|archive-date=8 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908122903/https://www.bongodorshon.com/home/story_detail/story-of-legendary-football-coach-dukkhiram}} Games were initially played between army teams but clubs were soon set up around the country. In 1872, Calcutta FC was the first football club to be established, though the side may have originated as a rugby club that switched codes as late as 1894. Other early clubs include Dalhousie AC, Traders Club and Naval Volunteers Club.{{cite web |url=http://www.thesportscampus.com/200805197/introduction-to-football/history-indian-football |title=History of Football in India |publisher=TheSportsCampus.com |date=2008-05-19 |access-date=2014-02-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825015957/http://www.thesportscampus.com/200805197/introduction-to-football/history-indian-football |archive-date=2012-08-25 |url-status=live }} Several other football clubs such as Sovabazar, Mohun Bagan and Aryan Club were established in Calcutta in the 1890s. Calcutta was then the capital of British India and soon became the hub of football. Tournaments like the Gladstone Cup, the Trades Cup and the Cooch Behar Cup were started around this time.{{Cite journal |url=http://www.jhsr.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/01-07-JHSRVOL-2NO-2A.-SHIL.pdf |title=Football Culture in Princely State of Cooch Behar |access-date=16 April 2023 |archive-date=16 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416171622/http://www.jhsr.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/01-07-JHSRVOL-2NO-2A.-SHIL.pdf |first=Amrita |last=Kumar Shil |journal=JHSR Journal of Historical Study and Search |date=15 May 2022 |issn=2583-0198 |volume=2 }} The Durand Cup and IFA Shield were both started in the late nineteenth century.

The first Indian team to achieve success was Sovabazar Club, which won the Trades Cup in 1892.{{cite web|url=https://olympics.com/en/news/nagendra-prasad-sarbadhikari-father-of-indian-football|title='Golondaaj' Nagendra Prasad Sarbadhikari: the father of Indian football|access-date=18 February 2024}} Mohun Bagan Athletic Club, which was set up in modern-day West Bengal in 1889, became famous in 1911 when it became the first Indian team to win the IFA Shield, a tournament previously won only by British teams based in India.{{cite web|title=FOOTBALL IN BENGAL|url=http://ifawb.com/archives.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306042849/http://www.ifawb.com/archives.php|archive-date=6 March 2016|access-date=14 January 2021|website=www.ifawb.com|publisher=The Indian Football Association (West Bengal)}} They defeated East Yorkshire Regiment 2–1 in the tournament's final in a victory that is still regarded as one of the greatest win by an Indian football team before independence.

File:Baroda (Vadodara) Football Club team 1910 -11.jpg

The Indian Football Association (IFA) was established in Calcutta in 1893 but had no Indians on its board until the 1930s. The All India Football Federation (AIFF), the national governing body of football in India, was formed in 1937 but did not become affiliated with FIFA until at least a decade later. India insisted on playing barefoot whereas other national sides wore boots.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/soutikbiswas/2010/06/why_is_india_a_football_laggard.html |title=Soutik Biswas's India: Why is India not at the World Cup? |publisher=BBC |date=2010-06-18 |access-date=2014-02-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131124074642/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/soutikbiswas/2010/06/why_is_india_a_football_laggard.html |archive-date=2013-11-24 |url-status=live }} Footballer Jyotish Chandra Guha brought global attention to Indian football when he became the first Indian to appear with the English Football League club Arsenal in 1930.{{Cite web|url=https://eastbengalclubrecords.wordpress.com/tag/jc-guha/|title=EAST BENGAL CLUB, INDIA – RECORDS, FUNS AND FACTS: 1930 – EAST BENGAL CLUB AND ARSENAL FC CONNECTION|website=eastbengalclubrecords.wordpress.com|date=31 March 2016|access-date=12 September 2021|archive-date=26 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226212004/https://eastbengalclubrecords.wordpress.com/tag/jc-guha/}}

India qualified by default for the 1950 FIFA World Cup in Brazil because all of their scheduled opponents withdrew. India did not compete in the tournament. It was not because of a lack of financial assistance, particularly to purchase tickets for the sea journey, or because the team were not allowed to play barefoot.{{cite web|url=http://in.yfittopostblog.com/2010/06/14/barefoot-in-bengal-and-other-stories/ |title=Fit to Post: Yahoo! India News " Blog Archive Barefoot in Bengal and Other Stories " |access-date=2014-02-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100614204013/http://in.yfittopostblog.com/2010/06/14/barefoot-in-bengal-and-other-stories/ |archive-date=14 June 2010 }} According to sports journalist Jaydeep Basu, the financial barrier was solved as state associations provided financial help to the AIFF and that FIFA also promised to provide money.

FIFA had imposed a rule banning barefoot play following the 1948 Olympics where India had played barefoot. According to then-captain Shailen Manna, this story was circulated to justify the AIFF's decision to not participate. Since 1950, the Indian national team has not come close to qualifying for the World Cup.Lisi (2007), p. 49{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=7/overview.html|title=1950 FIFA World Cup Brazil – Overview|publisher=FIFA|access-date=2014-02-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318000125/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition%3D7/overview.html|archive-date=2012-03-18|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|author=Arunava Chaudhuri |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/data/worldcupq.html |title=The Indian National Team's World Cup qualifying |access-date=2014-02-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320195543/http://www.indianfootball.de/data/worldcupq.html |archive-date=20 March 2013 }} The AIFF had organised training is Calcutta for the 1950 World Cup and the board organised a series of meetings relating to India's participation but was not able to reach a decision. One to two weeks before the World Cup, the AIFF resorted to coming up with excuses to abandon the World Cup trip. This did not face much criticism in 1948 because the FIFA World Cup was not as popular as it is now.

1951–1962 is widely considered the "golden age" of Indian football. Until the mid‑1960s, India was one of Asia’s top three football teams.{{Cite journal |last=Dimeo |first=Paul |date=July 2001 |title=Contemporary developments in Indian football |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09584930120083846 |journal=Contemporary South Asia |language=en |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=251–264 |doi=10.1080/09584930120083846 |issn=0958-4935|url-access=subscription }} In this period, the national team won numerous titles under the coaching of Syed Abdul Rahim. India won the gold medal in the first Asian Games in 1951, beating Iran by one goal. In 1956, no longer playing barefoot, India reached the semi-final in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, becoming the first Asian country to do so and ranking fourth in the tournament. In 1962, India again won the gold in the Asian Games at Jakarta, defeating South Korea 2–1. India also won the Merdeka Cup and the Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament, while East Bengal garnered good reviews after touring Romania. Also in 1951, India achieved their highest World Football Elo Rating of 31. According to former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, India is "The sleeping giant of world football".{{Cite news|url=https://www.nativeplanet.com/travel-guide/best-football-stadiums-in-india-002837.html|work=nativeplanet.com|access-date=2018-05-14|language=en|title=As India is gripping onto the football fever, take a look at the best football stadiums in India! - Nativeplanet|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514215314/https://www.nativeplanet.com/travel-guide/best-football-stadiums-in-india-002837.html|archive-date=2018-05-14|url-status=live}}

Rahim's death in the year 1963 on 11th June, caused the Indian national team to gradually lose their position as a top Asian team. India has not qualified for the Olympics since 1960. India qualified for their first Asian Cup in 1964 but failed to win the title.{{cite web |title=India's performances at the AFC Asian Cup |url=http://www.goal.com/en-in/news/india-afc-asian-cup-2019-indian-football/jfmg5uewl6ha1akznnjy4249l |website=goal.com |publisher=GOAL |access-date=28 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928161335/http://www.goal.com/en-in/news/india-afc-asian-cup-2019-indian-football/jfmg5uewl6ha1akznnjy4249l |archive-date=28 September 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|title=Asian Nations Cup 1964|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/64asch.html|website=RSSSF|access-date=21 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420094350/http://rsssf.com/tables/64asch.html|archive-date=20 April 2015|url-status=live}} In an international tournament at the 1970 Asian Games, India won the bronze medal after defeating Japan 1–0.{{cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/news/sports/when-fifa-president-called-indian-football-team-as-best-technical-side-of-asia-3196571.html|title=The best technical team in Asia|access-date=22 January 2021|archive-date=22 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222001157/https://www.news18.com/news/sports/when-fifa-president-called-indian-football-team-as-best-technical-side-of-asia-3196571.html|url-status=live}} The Indian national team qualified for the 1984 AFC Asian Cup for the first time since 1964 but failed to qualify for the knockout stage after finishing last in their group of five teams.{{cite web |title=Asian Nations Cup 1984 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/84asch.html |website=RSSSF |access-date=14 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014174849/http://www.rsssf.com/tables/84asch.html |archive-date=14 October 2012 |url-status=live }}

The Indian youth team jointly won the Youth Asian Cup with Iran in 1974, the first and only title for India at the youth level.{{cite web|title=Asian U-19 Championship 1974|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/as-u19-74.html|first=Neil|last=Morrison|website=RSSSF|access-date=1 March 2022|archive-date=5 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171105201750/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/as-u19-74.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/down-the-memory-lane-1974-india-crowned-champions-of-asia/1q6hztibcvav61kfbogj9a88um|title=Down the memory lane: India's AFC Youth Championship triumph in 1974|access-date=24 August 2022|archive-date=24 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824155908/https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/down-the-memory-lane-1974-india-crowned-champions-of-asia/1q6hztibcvav61kfbogj9a88um|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/from-gate-crashers-to-joint-winners-indias-journey-at-the-asian-youth-championship-bangkok-1974|title=From gate-crashers to joint winners: India's journey at the Asian Youth Championship Bangkok 1974|access-date=24 August 2022|archive-date=24 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824155910/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/from-gate-crashers-to-joint-winners-indias-journey-at-the-asian-youth-championship-bangkok-1974|url-status=live}} In club football, on 24 September 1977, Mohun Bagan held onto a 2–2 draw at the Eden Gardens stadium in Calcutta, against a Pelé-led New York Cosmos.{{cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/sports/football/pele-death-when-mohun-bagan-nearly-beat-new-york-cosmos|title=The Day When India's Mohun Bagan Nearly Beat the Pele-Led New York Cosmos|date=30 December 2022 |access-date=18 February 2024}} Mohun Bagan would have won the tie had it not been for a controversial penalty awarded to the visiting team that ensured the draw.{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/when-pele-was-left-spellbound-by-little-known-football-club-mohun-bagans-talent-in-1977/articleshow/96618151.cms?from=mdr|title=When Pele was left spellbound by 'little known' football club Mohun Bagan's talent in 1977|newspaper=The Economic Times |date=30 December 2022 |access-date=18 February 2024}} The next day, the newspaper Ananda Bazar Patrika described Goutam Sarkar as "India's very own Beckenbauer".{{cite web|url=http://www.mohunbaganclub.com/mohun-bagan-played-with-king-of-football-pele/|title=MOHUN BAGAN PLAYED WITH KING OF FOOTBALL PELE|access-date=18 February 2024}}

The Indian women's team as they began playing in the 1970s. In 1975, their first manager was Sushil Bhattacharya.{{cite web |last=Doyle |first=Jennifer |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/29/sports/soccer/29iht-SOCCER.html |title=A World Cup Dream Revives India's Women's Soccer Team |location=India |work=NY Times|date=2010-01-28 |access-date=2012-11-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221010214/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/29/sports/soccer/29iht-SOCCER.html |archive-date=21 February 2017 |url-status=live }} The Indian women's team were runners-up in the AFC Women's Asian Cup in 1980 and 1983. In the 1990s, the women's team rapidly declined and a series of defeats followed. In 2009, FIFA delisted the Indian women's team from the world rankings.{{cite news|title= A World Cup Dream Revives India's Women's Team|work= The New York Times|date= 29 January 2010|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/29/sports/soccer/29iht-SOCCER.html?_r=0|access-date=19 September 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180808073244/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/29/sports/soccer/29iht-SOCCER.html?_r=0|archive-date= 8 August 2018|url-status= live|last1= Doyle|first1= Jennifer}}

In August 2007, the Indian national team won the Nehru Cup for the first time, beating Syria 1–0.{{cite news |date=2007-08-29 |title=India upstage Syria 1–0 to lift Nehru Cup |work=Reuters |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-29226020070829 |url-status=dead |access-date=2007-12-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090906092332/http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-29226020070829 |archive-date=2009-09-06}} In August of the following year, India defeated Tajikistan 4–1 to win the AFC Challenge Cup and qualified for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar.{{cite news|title=India win AFC Challenge Cup|url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/report/afc/20080813.htm|access-date=17 March 2017|work=Rediff.com|date=13 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322111543/http://www.rediff.com/sports/report/afc/20080813.htm|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}} In August 2009, India again won the Nehru Cup, beating Syria on penalties (6–5).{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/nehru09.html|title=ONGC Nehru Cup 2009|access-date=18 February 2024}}

In January 2011, India played in the 2011 Asian Cup, the country's first Asian Cup for 24 years. India was eliminated in the group stage, which included South Korea, Australia, and Bahrain.{{cite news|title=INDIA IN AFC ASIAN CUP 2011: PERFORMANCE REVIEW|url=http://www.thehardtackle.com/2011/india-in-afc-asian-cup-2011-performance-review/|access-date=17 March 2017|work=The Hard Tackle|date=20 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023161845/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2011/india-in-afc-asian-cup-2011-performance-review/|archive-date=23 October 2013|url-status=dead}}

Since the 2011 Asian Cup, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been working to improve Indian football. They allowed former coach Bob Houghton to coach the Indian team in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers.{{cite news | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/My-contract-renewed-with-AIFF-till-2013-Houghton/articleshow/6110558.cms | work=The Times of India | title=My contract renewed with AIFF till 2013: Houghton | date=30 June 2010 | access-date=1 July 2010 | archive-date=3 July 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100703112517/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Sports/Football/Top-Stories/My-contract-renewed-with-AIFF-till-2013-Houghton/articleshow/6110558.cms | url-status=live }} After going first in their AFC Challenge Cup group, Houghton was replaced by Wim Koevermans.{{cite web|publisher=Live Indian Football|title=Wimp Koevermans announced as the new coach of Indian football team|url=http://liveindianfootball.netne.net/Wim-Koevermans-New-Indian-Football-Coach|access-date=15 June 2012|archive-date=8 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808003208/http://liveindianfootball.netne.net/Wim-Koevermans-New-Indian-Football-Coach|url-status=dead}} The India national under-23 football team won the first round of the 2012 Olympics qualifiers against Myanmar but were eliminated by Qatar.{{cite web|url=http://www.the-afc.com/en/component/joomleague/?view=report&compID=407&matchId=3897|title=India vs Qatar|access-date=18 February 2024|archive-date=13 September 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913234000/http://www.the-afc.com/en/component/joomleague/?view=report&compID=407&matchId=3897|url-status=bot: unknown}} India played their next official matches against United Arab Emirates in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, which India lost on aggregate 5–2.{{cite web|url=http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/asia/matches/round=257787/match=300159166/report.html|title=India - United Arab Emirates 2:2|access-date=18 February 2024|archive-date=12 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112054434/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/asia/matches/round=257787/match=300159166/report.html|url-status=bot: unknown}}

In 2014, India hosted the first Unity World Cup in Goa, Hyderabad and Bangalore. India has participated in and hosted the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup tournament. This was the first time a team representing India participated in the finals of a FIFA-organised world tournament. India was placed in Group A along with the United States, Ghana and Colombia.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/u17worldcup/india2017|title=FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017|access-date=18 February 2024}} On 6 October 2017, India played their first match in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in front of 47,000 people against the United States, losing the match 0–3.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/u17worldcup/india2017|title=FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017|access-date=18 February 2024}} India played their second match against Colombia. In the 82nd minute, Jeakson Singh became the first Indian goal scorer in the finals of a FIFA-organised tournament.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/u17worldcup/india2017|title=FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017|access-date=18 February 2024}} For the third match of the group stage, India played Ghana, losing the match 4–0 and finishing at the bottom of Group A.{{cite news|title=Official Emblem launched for FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017|url=https://www.fifa.com/u17worldcup/news/y=2016/m=9/news=official-emblem-launched-for-fifa-u-17-world-cup-india-2017-2837035.html|access-date=9 October 2016|work=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|date=27 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001172345/http://www.fifa.com/u17worldcup/news/y=2016/m=9/news=official-emblem-launched-for-fifa-u-17-world-cup-india-2017-2837035.html|archive-date=1 October 2016|url-status=dead}}

In 2018 Indian youth football teams made history by defeating Argentina U-20 2–1 in the COTIF cup, as well as Iraq U-16, the defending champions of the AFC U-16 Championship (now the AFC U-17 Championship), by 1–0. The U-16 team qualified for the 2018 AFC U-16 Championship, where they came close to qualifying for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup, but lost to South Korea by a single goal in the quarterfinal.{{Cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en-in/news/argentina-iraq-slayed-in-an-incredible-day-for-india/jecl56sbmsie105cozmp6zi97 |title=Argentina & Iraq slayed in an incredible day for India football! | Goal.com |access-date=2018-08-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807220522/http://www.goal.com/en-in/news/argentina-iraq-slayed-in-an-incredible-day-for-india/jecl56sbmsie105cozmp6zi97 |archive-date=2018-08-07 |url-status=live }}

The Indian national team qualified for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup after missing the 2015 edition. India beat Thailand by 4–1, their biggest-ever win at the Asia Cup and their first win in 55 years.{{cite news|title=Group A: Thailand 1-4 India|url=http://www.the-afc.com/asiancup/news/group-a-thailand-1-4-india|access-date=6 January 2019|work=The AFC.com|date=6 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106193050/http://www.the-afc.com/asiancup/news/group-a-thailand-1-4-india|archive-date=6 January 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=AFC Asian Cup 2019: Thailand 1-4 India, Player Ratings|url=https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/afc-asian-cup/1013371/afc-asian-cup-2019-thailand-1-4-india-player-ratings/|access-date=6 January 2019|work=FOX Sports Asia|date=6 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107072227/https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/afc-asian-cup/1013371/afc-asian-cup-2019-thailand-1-4-india-player-ratings/|archive-date=7 January 2019|url-status=live}} Nevertheless, they lost both of their next two group matches against UAE and Bahrain by 0−2 and 0−1 respectively{{cite web |title=UAE Steal India'S Thunder |date=10 January 2019 |url=https://the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9421 |website=the-aiff.com |publisher=AIFF |access-date=14 January 2019 |archive-date=3 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703201619/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/uae-steal-indias-thunder |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, India vs Bahrain |url=http://stats.the-afc.com/match_report/13260 |website=the-afc.com |publisher=AFC |access-date=14 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190118014146/http://stats.the-afc.com/match_report/13260 |archive-date=18 January 2019 |url-status=live }} and finished at the bottom of the group, thus failing to move to the knockout stage.{{cite web |author=Ishfaq Ahmed, Shiddant Aney, Vaibhav Raghunandan|title=India Lose to Bahrain, Crash Out of AFC Asian Cup - Highlights and Analysis |date=14 January 2019|url=https://www.newsclick.in/india-vs-bahrain-afc-asian-cup-live-football-score-live-updates-ind-verge-history |website=newsclick.in |access-date=14 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115023439/https://www.newsclick.in/india-vs-bahrain-afc-asian-cup-live-football-score-live-updates-ind-verge-history |archive-date=15 January 2019 |url-status=live }}

Football in India is administered by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), which is affiliated with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the worldwide football governing body FIFA.{{cite web |title=AFC's 63rd anniversary: Seven events that shaped Asian football |url=https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/news/afcs_63rd_anniversary_seven_events_that_shaped_asian_football.html |publisher=the-AFC.com|date= 8 May 2017 | accessdate= 19 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518191829/https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/news/afcs_63rd_anniversary_seven_events_that_shaped_asian_football.html |archive-date=18 May 2023 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=The unity of the South Asian Countries playing football |url=https://saffederation.org/about-us |publisher=SAFF|date= | accessdate= 19 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518192918/https://saffederation.org/about-us |archive-date=18 May 2023 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news|title=AIFF to reinvigorate futsal, beach football |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/aiff-to-reinvigorate-futsal-beach-football/articleshow/65302793.cms?frmapp=yes |work=The Times of India| date=7 August 2018 }} The India national football team has entered the regional Asian Cup competition but has never competed in a World Cup. The India women's national football team has also played in competitions, and has its own inter-state and state competitions. Youth football is administered by the Sports Authority of India.

The India national football team is governed by the AIFF and is a member of the Asian Football Confederation. Since 1948, the AIFF has been affiliated with FIFA, the international governing body for world football. In 1954, the AIFF became one of the founding members of the AFC.{{Cite news|title=AIFF to reinvigorate futsal, beach football |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/aiff-to-reinvigorate-futsal-beach-football/articleshow/65302793.cms?frmapp=yes |work=The Times of India| date=7 August 2018 }} There are other Indian national teams, such as the under-23 team and the under-17 team.

The following list includes the performance of all of India's national teams at major competitions.

The Indian senior national team had several successes during their initial years, but is no longer considered one of the best in Asia.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifamuseum.com/en/blog-stories/blog/india-go-top-in-asia-2609547/|title=India go top in Asia|access-date=29 December 2023}} The national team's highest achievement is winning two gold medals at the Asian Games.

{{notelist}}

{{Main|India women's national football team}}

The women's national team was started in the 1970s; they were twice runners-up in the Women's Asian Cup in the early 1980s. After the AIFF took charge of the team, they began to suffer massive defeats and declined in the late 2000s.{{cite news |last=Doyle |first=Jennifer |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/29/sports/soccer/29iht-SOCCER.html |title=A World Cup Dream Revives India's Women's Soccer Team |location=India |work=NY Times|date=2010-01-28 |access-date=2012-11-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221010214/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/29/sports/soccer/29iht-SOCCER.html |archive-date=21 February 2017 |url-status=live }} In the late 2010s, the AIFF revived the team to empower women's football.{{cite web|author=Arunava Chaudhuri |url=http://www.indien-netzwerk.de/navigation/frauen/artikel/achaudhuri-womenfootball.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050405133624/http://www.indien-netzwerk.de/navigation/frauen/artikel/achaudhuri-womenfootball.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 April 2005 |title=Gender and sport in India: aspects of women's football by Arunava Chaudhuri (english)|website=indien-netzwerk.de |access-date=8 August 2018}} The AIFF won the hosting bid for the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup.

{{Main|India national under-20 football team}}

Includes U-19 and U-18 teams' performance.

Includes U-16 and U-15 teams' performance.

{{Main|India women's national under-20 football team}}

Includes U-19 and U-18 teams' performance.

{{Main|India women's national under-17 football team}}

Includes U-16 and U-15 teams' performance.

{{Main|List of Indian state football associations}}

There are currently 36 state associations and 2 affiliates associations with the All India Football Federation.{{Cite web |title=State Associations |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/state-associations |access-date=2022-05-27 |website=www.the-aiff.com |archive-date=19 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219234628/https://www.the-aiff.com/state-associations |url-status=live }}

{{Main|Indian State Leagues}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• Assam State Premier League (Assam)
• Bangalore Super Division (Karnataka)
• Bihar Soccer League (Bihar)
• Calcutta Football League (West Bengal)
• Chandra Memorial League (Tripura)
• Chennai Football League (Tamil Nadu)
• Chhattisgarh State Men's Football League Championship (Chhattisgarh)
• Dadra & Nagar Haveli Senior Division League and Daman and Diu Senior Division League (Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu)
• FAO League (Odisha)
• Delhi Football League (Delhi)
• Goa Football League (Goa)
• Gujarat SFA Club Championship (Gujarat)
• Haryana Men's Football League (Haryana)
• Himachal Football League (Himachal Pradesh)
• Indrajit Namchoom Arunachal League (Arunachal Pradesh)
• Jammu & Kashmir Premier Football League (Jammu and Kashmir)
• JSA League (Jharkhand)
• Kavaratti League (Lakshadweep)
• Kerala Premier League (Kerala)
• Ladakh Super League (Ladakh)
• Lucknow Super Division (Uttar Pradesh)
• Madhya Pradesh Premier League (Madhya Pradesh)
• Manipur State League (Manipur)
• Meghalaya State League (Meghalaya)
• Mizoram Premier League (Mizoram)
• Mumbai Football League, Pune Football League, NDFA League, Kolhapur Senior League, Thane Super Division (Maharashtra)
• Nagaland Premier League (Nagaland)
• Punjab State Super Football League (Punjab)
• Pondicherry Men's League Championship (Pondicherry)
• Rahim League A Division (Telangana)
• Rajasthan State Men's League (Rajasthan)
• Sikkim Premier Division League (Sikkim)
• Uttarakhand Super League (Uttarakhand)

{{col-2}}

• Assam Women's League (Assam)
• Arunachal Women's Football Championship (Arunachal Pradesh)
• Bihar State Women's League (Bihar)
• Calcutta Women's Football League (West Bengal)
• Chhattisgarh State Women's Football League (Chhattisgarh)
• Delhi Women's League (Delhi)
• Goa Women's League (Goa)
• Gujarat State Women's League (Gujarat)
• Haryana Women's Football League (Haryana)
• Himachal Women's League (Himachal)
• JSA Women's League (Jharkhand)
• Karnataka Women's League (Karnataka)
• Kerala Women's League (Kerala)
• Manipur Women's League (Manipur)
• Madhya Pradesh Women's Premier League (Madhya Pradesh)
• Mizoram Women's League (Mizoram)
• Nagaland Women's Football League (Nagaland)
• Odisha Women's League (Odisha)
• Punjab Women's League (Punjab)
• Pondicherry Women's League (Pondicherry)
• Sikkim Women's Super League (Sikkim)
• SSA Women's Football League (Meghalaya)
• Tamil Nadu Women's League (Tamil Nadu)
• WIFA Women's Football League (Maharashtra)

{{col-end}}

File:Sunil Chhetri (2008 AFC Challenge Cup).jpg

International football in India generally takes place between September and November for Men's according to FIFA Men's International Match Calendar (2023-2030){{cite web|title=Men's International-Match Calendar|url=https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/3123d37097318f7f/original/Men-s-International-Match-Calendar-2023-2030_EN.pdf|access-date=22 July 2024|work=FIFA|date=19 December 2023}} and between February-July and October-December for Women's according to FIFA Women's International Match Calendar (2023-2025).{{cite web|title=Women's International-Match Calendar|url=https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/2a11c4cc29021dd/original/Women-s-International-Match-Calendar-2023-2025_EN.pdf|access-date=22 July 2024|work=FIFA|date=18 January 2024}} Football in India is managed by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).The Indian national football team has also provided some of the greatest players to the world, the biggest example of which is Sunil Chhetri. Indian football has a rich history. The Indian men's national team is currently ranked 124 (as of 18 July 2024) in FIFA Men's World Ranking and Women's national team is currently ranked 67 (as of 14 June 2024) in FIFA Women's World Ranking.

{{Main|Indian football league system}}

• Senior Men's National Football Championship, National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy,{{Cite web|title=Hero Senior NFC|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/competitions/senior-nfc|access-date=2021-12-05|website=the-aiff.com|archive-date=5 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205090635/https://www.the-aiff.com/competitions/senior-nfc|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Arunachal jitters delink Fifa from Santosh Trophy, decision puts AIFF in a spot of bother|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/sports/football/arunachal-jitters-delink-fifa-from-santosh-trophy-decision-puts-all-india-football-federation-in-a-spot-of-bother/cid/1989008|website=The Telegraph|access-date=24 December 2023|archive-date=27 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227031310/https://www.telegraphindia.com/sports/football/arunachal-jitters-delink-fifa-from-santosh-trophy-decision-puts-all-india-football-federation-in-a-spot-of-bother/cid/1989008|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=AIFF Executive Committee meeting: FIFA President to attend Santosh Trophy final |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/aiff-executive-committee-meeting-fifa-president-to-attend-santosh-trophy-final |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=the-aiff.com |archive-date=9 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109123703/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/aiff-executive-committee-meeting-fifa-president-to-attend-santosh-trophy-final |url-status=live }} or simply Santosh Trophy, is an inter-state competition contested by the state associations and government institutions.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}} Many players who have represented India played in the Santosh Trophy.{{cite news|title=The rise and fall of the Santosh Trophy|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-santosh-trophy/|access-date=18 December 2016|work=The Indian Express|date=12 March 2014|archive-date=20 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220224751/http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-santosh-trophy/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=70th Santosh Trophy|url=http://thif-live.com/santosh-trophy-2015-16/|access-date=18 December 2016|work=The Indian Football Live|archive-date=20 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220154129/http://thif-live.com/santosh-trophy-2015-16/|url-status=live}}
• National Games{{cite web |title=National Games |url=https://olympic.ind.in/national-games |website=olympic.ind.in |access-date=18 January 2023 |archive-date=18 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118171937/https://olympic.ind.in/national-games |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/data/nationalgames-m.html |title=List of Winners/Runners-Up of the National Games Men's Football Tournament |publisher=indianfootball.de |access-date=10 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503074936/http://www.indianfootball.de/data/nationalgames-m.html |archive-date=3 May 2018 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/data/nationalgames-w.html |title=List of Winners/Runners-Up of the National Games Women's Football Tournament |publisher=indianfootball.de |access-date=10 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503074224/http://www.indianfootball.de/data/nationalgames-w.html |archive-date=3 May 2018 }}
• Swami Vivekananda NFC (U20)
• Khelo India Youth Games (U-21/U-17)
• Junior Boy's National Football Championship{{Cite web|title=Hero Junior NFC|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/competitions/junior-nfc|access-date=2021-12-05|website=www.the-aiff.com}} also known as BC Roy Trophy, is held for players under 15 years of age. It is held in memory of former West Bengal Chief Minister Bidhan Chandra Roy.
• Sub-Junior Boy's National Football championship{{Cite web|title=Hero Sub Junior NFC|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/competitions/sub-junior-nfc|access-date=2021-12-05|website=www.the-aiff.com}} was started in 1977 for boys under the age of 16.{{cite web|title=The tournament where stars are born: Subroto Cup burns bright |url=https://sportslounge.co.in/the-tournament-where-stars-are-born-subroto-cup-burns-bright/ |website=Sports Lounge |last=Basu |first=Jaydeep |date=8 September 2019 |access-date=12 December 2022 }} AIFF donated the trophy in the memory of former president of Karnataka State Football Association, Mir Iqbal Hussain.
• National Beach Soccer Championship is an annual beach soccer tournament.{{Cite web|title=Twenty teams to participate in maiden Hero National Beach Soccer Championship|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/twenty-teams-to-participate-in-maiden-hero-national-beach-soccer-championship|access-date=2023-01-02|work=AIFF}}{{Cite web|title=AIFF announces fixtures for inaugural National Beach Soccer Championship|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/sports/football/aiff-announces-fixtures-for-inaugural-national-beach-soccer-championship20230103100547/|access-date=2023-01-03|website=ANI}}{{Cite web|title=Surat engulfed in Beach Soccer wave|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/surat-engulfed-in-beach-soccer-wave|access-date=2023-01-27|work=AIFF}}

{{As of|2023}}, India has four national-level leagues. The Indian Super League is the top league, followed by I-League, I-League 2 and I-League 3. I-League 3 currently acts as a final round for the top teams in the state leagues that are nominated by state football associations. India has several cup tournaments, including the Durand Cup, Super Cup and IFA Shield.{{cite web |url=https://www.indiansuperleague.com/about-indian-super-league |title=About ISL – Indian Super League |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014071827/https://www.indiansuperleague.com/about-indian-super-league |archive-date=14 October 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=6 January 2023 }}{{Cite web |title=AIFF Executive Committee inducts five new clubs into Hero I-League, Federation Cup restored |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/aiff-executive-committee-inducts-five-new-clubs-into-hero-i-league-federation-cup-restored |website=the-aiff.com}}

• Tier 1: Indian Super League- The I-League, which was promised to be a professional league, soon lost popularity due to poor marketing.{{cite news|last1=Dhar|first1=Pulasta|title=The fall of the I-league|url=http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/NuvXW1HCTGwcEoUQ8KH2cJ/The-fall-of-the-Ileague.html|access-date=13 August 2017|work=Livemint|date=6 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816062926/http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/NuvXW1HCTGwcEoUQ8KH2cJ/The-fall-of-the-Ileague.html|archive-date=16 August 2017|url-status=live}} A deal between Zee Sports and the AIFF, which was initially to be a ten-year term in 2006, was terminated in 2010 after a disagreement between the parties. The AIFF then signed a {{INR}}700-crore deal with Reliance Industries and the International Management Group (IMG) on 9 December 2010.{{cite news|title=AIFF signs 700-crore deal with IMG-RIL|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/AIFF-signs-700-crore-deal-with-IMG-RIL/articleshow/7072492.cms?referral=PM|website=Times of India| date=9 December 2010 |access-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530143649/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/AIFF-signs-700-crore-deal-with-IMG-RIL/articleshow/7072492.cms?referral=PM|archive-date=30 May 2014|url-status=live}} The Indian Super League (ISL) was officially launched on 21 October 2013 by IMG–Reliance Industries, Star Sports, and the AIFF to grow the sport of football in India and increase its exposure in the country with big names and professionalism.{{cite news|title=Reliance, Star India, IMG Set to Launch ISL|url=http://img.com/news/news/2013/october/reliance,-img-worldwide-and-star-india,-launch-%60in.aspx|access-date=12 August 2017|work=Indian Super League|date=21 October 2013|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313201118/http://img.com/news/news/2013/october/reliance,-img-worldwide-and-star-india,-launch-%60in.aspx|archive-date=13 March 2016}} Large corporations, Bollywood stars and cricketers between them bought eight franchises.{{cite news|title=Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly foray into football, win ISL bids|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/indian-super-league/top-stories/Sachin-Tendulkar-Sourav-Ganguly-foray-into-football-win-ISL-bids/articleshow/33700305.cms|website=Times of India|date=13 April 2014 |access-date=3 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102103756/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/indian-super-league/top-stories/Sachin-Tendulkar-Sourav-Ganguly-foray-into-football-win-ISL-bids/articleshow/33700305.cms|archive-date=2 November 2014|url-status=live}} In 2017, the AFC opposed allowing the ISL to become the main league in India, but the I-League clubs East Bengal and Mohun Bagan wanted a complete merger of the ISL and I-League.{{cite news|title=Still no consensus on ISL, I-League merger despite high-profile meet|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/still-no-consensus-on-isl-i-league-merger-despite-high-profile-meet/articleshow/59038000.cms|access-date=13 August 2017|work=The Times of India|date=7 June 2017|archive-date=3 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703151254/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/still-no-consensus-on-isl-i-league-merger-despite-high-profile-meet/articleshow/59038000.cms|url-status=live}} Two weeks later, the AIFF proposed the Indian Super League and I-League would simultaneously run on a short–term basis, with the I-League winner qualifying for the AFC Champions League and the ISL champion reaching the AFC Cup qualification stage.{{cite news|title=ISL gets official recognition from AFC, becomes second national football league|url=http://www.firstpost.com/sports/isl-gets-official-recognition-from-afc-becomes-second-national-football-league-3755201.html|access-date=13 August 2017|work=FirstPost|date=28 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102044117/http://www.firstpost.com/sports/isl-gets-official-recognition-from-afc-becomes-second-national-football-league-3755201.html|archive-date=2 January 2018|url-status=live}} The AFC approved this proposal on 25 July 2017, with the ISL replacing the domestic cup competition, the Federation Cup, which was a true knockout cup competition.{{cite news|date=25 July 2017|title=AFC competitions committee's decisions published|work=The Asian Football Confederation|url=http://www.the-afc.com/media-releases/afc-competitions-committee%E2%80%99s-decisions-published|url-status=live|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816010704/http://www.the-afc.com/media-releases/afc-competitions-committee%E2%80%99s-decisions-published|archive-date=16 August 2017}}
• Tier 2: I-League- Starting in the 2022–2023 season, I-League lost its top-tier status. The champions of the 2022–23 I-League, Punjab FC, were promoted to the ISL with no participation fee. As per the AFC's recommendation for 2024–2025, it was agreed the AIFF would fully implement promotion and relegation between the two leagues.{{cite web |title=New roadmap for Indian football proposes Hero ISL as premier league |url=https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/new-roadmap-for-indian-football-proposes-hero-isl-as-premier-league |website=Indian Super League |date=14 October 2019 |access-date=22 April 2022 |archive-date=1 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101060825/https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/new-roadmap-for-indian-football-proposes-hero-isl-as-premier-league |url-status=live }} As of 2024, there have been two promotions from the I-League to the ISL but the relegation system is yet to be implemented.
• Tier 3: I-League 2- After demoting I-League to the second tier status in Indian football, I-League 2 was subsequently demoted to the third tier. AIFF renamed the 2nd Division to I-League 2 to avoid disambiguation.{{cite web |title=AIFF League Committee meeting chaired online by Lalnghinglova Hmar |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/aiff-league-committee-meeting-chaired-online-by-lalnghinglova-hmar |access-date=2022-12-17 |website=www.the-aiff.com |archive-date=16 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216165348/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/aiff-league-committee-meeting-chaired-online-by-lalnghinglova-hmar |url-status=live }} I-League and I-League 2 follow both promotion and relegation within the two leagues.
• Tier 4: I-League 3- I-League 3 is set to serve as a platform for state champions and state-nominated teams.{{Cite web |title=Five teams submit bids for direct Hero I-League entry  |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/five-teams-submit-bids-for-direct-hero-i-league-entry |access-date=2023-06-13 |website=www.the-aiff.com |archive-date=2023-06-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614022729/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/five-teams-submit-bids-for-direct-hero-i-league-entry |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Chatterjee |first=Triyasha |date=2023-05-01 |title=I-League: AIFF League Committee inflict 3-TIER BIDDING structure for DIRECT entry into I-League 2023-24- Check Out |url=https://www.insidesport.in/football/i-league-aiff-league-committee-decide-to-increase-number-of-teams-in-i-league-inflict-3-tier-bidding-structure-for-direct-entry-into-i-league-2023-24-check-out/ |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=Inside Sport India |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=AIFF League committee announce I-League direct entry bidders and revamped league structure for IWL |url=https://khelnow.com/football/2023-06-indian-football-aiff-league-committee-meeting |access-date=2023-06-15 |website=Khel Now |language=English |archive-date=2023-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613201503/https://khelnow.com/football/2023-06-indian-football-aiff-league-committee-meeting |url-status=live }} No ISL reserve teams can be a part of I-League 2 or I-League 3.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-13 |title=Record five bids for I-League; no ISL reserves in 2nd and 3rd divisions |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/football/record-five-bids-for-i-league-no-isl-reserves-in-2nd-and-3rd-divisions-101686676489993.html |access-date=2023-06-15 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=2023-06-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615024518/https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/football/record-five-bids-for-i-league-no-isl-reserves-in-2nd-and-3rd-divisions-101686676489993.html |url-status=live }}
• Tier 5–10: Indian State Leagues- There are currently a total of 36 state associations (including union territories) affiliated with the AIFF.{{cite web|title=State Associations|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/state-associations.php?&pagesize=192|website=All India Football Federation|access-date=23 June 2021|archive-date=24 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024214814/https://www.the-aiff.com/state-associations.php?&pagesize=192|url-status=live}} These state associations are affiliated with state leagues. The top teams of state leagues are eligible to apply for I-League 3. Some state leagues have multiple divisions and a promotion/relegation system between these divisions. Calcutta Football League in West Bengal is the oldest state league and has the highest number of divisions (six divisions) with a promotion/relegation system in place.{{cite web|title=Calcutta Football League|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/calcutta-football-league|publisher=Times of India|access-date=23 June 2021|archive-date=27 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627091952/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/calcutta-football-league|url-status=live}}
• Youth League (U-17/U-15/U-13)- The Youth League is a system of youth football leagues that are managed, organised and controlled by the All India Football Federation. It consists of 3 age groups competitions: U17 (AIFF Youth League), U15 (Junior League) and U13 (Sub-Junior League).
• Futsal Club Championship-The Futsal Club Championship is the highest level futsal club competition in India, organised by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).{{Cite web|title=Draw for Futsal Club Championship 2021–22 announced|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/sports/football/draw-for-futsal-club-championship-2021-22-announced20211029130912/|access-date=6 November 2021|website=aninews.in|publisher=Asianet News International|language=en|date=29 October 2021|location=New Delhi|archive-date=6 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106200218/https://www.aninews.in/news/sports/football/draw-for-futsal-club-championship-2021-22-announced20211029130912/}}{{cite news |title=Futsal club championship to kick-off from 2020 season |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/futsal-club-championship-to-kick-off-from-2020-season |access-date=31 May 2020 |work=AIFF |date=13 December 2019 |archive-date=5 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105193815/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/futsal-club-championship-to-kick-off-from-2020-season |url-status=live }} The inaugural edition kicked off on 5 November 2021 in New Delhi with 16 teams.{{Cite web|title=Inaugural edition of Futsal Championship to kick-off in New Delhi on November 5|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/sports/football/inaugural-edition-of-futsal-championship-to-kick-off-in-new-delhi-on-november-520211014221904|access-date=2021-10-15|website=www.aninews.in|language=en|archive-date=28 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028173058/https://www.aninews.in/news/sports/football/inaugural-edition-of-futsal-championship-to-kick-off-in-new-delhi-on-november-520211014221904/|url-status=live}} It acts as qualifier for the AFC Futsal Club Championship, the highest level club futsal competition in Asia.

The competitions currently active in Indian football in the 2024–25 season.

• Senior Women's National Football Championship for Rajmata Jijabai Trophy, also known as Senior Women's National Football Championship or Rajmata Jijabai Trophy since 2024,{{Cite web|title=Senior Women's NFC named Rajmata Jijabai Maharaja National Football Championship|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/senior-womens-nfc-named-rajmata-jijabai-maharaja-national-football-championship|date=4 March 2024|work=AIFF}} is a women's football tournament contested by state associations and government institutions in India.{{Cite web|title=Hero Senior Women's NFC|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/competitions/senior-women-nfc|access-date=2021-12-05|website=www.the-aiff.com|archive-date=5 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205090839/https://www.the-aiff.com/competitions/senior-women-nfc|url-status=live}} The first edition was held in 1991 by the AIFF to crown the national women's football champion.
• National Games Football for women was introduced in the 1999 edition. Manipur is the most successful team with 5 gold medals.
• Khelo India Youth Games (U-21/U-17) are held every year, and a 1,000 kids are given the scholarship of {{INRConvert|5|l|lk=on}} to prepare them for the international sporting events.
• Junior Girl's National Football Championship{{Cite web|title=Hero Junior Girl's NFC |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/competitions/junior-girls-nfc |access-date=8 January 2022 |website=AIFF }} is held for under-19 players, between the teams representing state associations. The tournament was instituted by the AIFF in 2001.
• Sub–Junior Girl's National Football Championship{{Cite web|title=Hero Sub Junior Girl's NFC |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/competitions/sub-junior-girls-nfc |access-date=8 January 2022 |website=AIFF }} is held for under-17 players. The tournament was instituted by the AIFF in 2003.

• Tier 1: Indian Women's League: Indian Women's League is the women's top tier professional football league in India.{{cite web |title=IWL: Tough battle awaits for debutants Churchill Brothers |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/iwl-tough-battle-awaits-debutants-churchill-bros/articleshow/99714198.cms |website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com |publisher=The Times of India |agency=TNN |location=Goa |date=24 April 2023 |access-date=24 April 2023 |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424053654/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/iwl-tough-battle-awaits-debutants-churchill-bros/articleshow/99714198.cms |url-status=live }}{{cite web|date=25 April 2023|title =New clubs and new goals are at the forefront of the Hero IWL|url=https://footballexpress.in/new-clubs-and-new-goals-are-at-the-forefront-of-the-hero-iwl/|website= FootballExpress.in}}
• Tier 2: Indian Women's League 2: Indian Women's League 2 is the women's second tier professional football league in India.{{Cite web |title=AIFF League Committee recommends promotion-relegation system for IWL |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/aiff-league-committee-recommends-promotion-relegation-system-for-iwl |website=www.the-aiff.com |publisher=AIFF |date=19 January 2024 |access-date=19 January 2024 }} The competition is established in 2023, with the first season starting from 2024.{{Cite web |title=AIFF League committee announce I-League direct entry bidders and revamped league structure for IWL |url=https://khelnow.com/football/2023-06-indian-football-aiff-league-committee-meeting |access-date=2023-06-13 |website=Khel Now |language=English}}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-13 |title=Football: Five bids received for direct entry into I-League 2023-24 season |url=https://www.business-standard.com/sports/football-news/football-five-bids-received-for-direct-entry-into-i-league-2023-24-season-123061300897_1.html |access-date=2023-06-13 |website=www.business-standard.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=AIFF League Committee meeting chaired online by Lalnghinglova Hmar |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/aiff-league-committee-meeting-chaired-online-by-lalnghinglova-hmar |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=www.the-aiff.com}}{{Cite web |title=AIFF officials hold discussions with Hero I-League, Hero IWL clubs |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/aiff-officials-hold-discussions-with-hero-i-league-hero-iwl-clubs |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=www.the-aiff.com}}
• Tier 3–5: Indian State Leagues: There are currently a total of 36 state associations (including union territories) affiliated with the AIFF. The top teams of state leagues are eligible to apply for Indian Women's League 2. Karnataka Women's League has the highest number of divisions (3), with a promotion/relegation system in place.

The competitions currently active in Indian football in the 2024–25 season.

{{:Indian football league system|transcludesection=Evolution}}

{{See also|Indian football clubs in Asian competitions}}

{{Further information|List of football grounds in India}}

{{As of|2023}}, few of India's national football stadiums meet current world standards. The largest football stadiums in India are the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata with a seating capacity of 68,000 and the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi with a capacity of over 60,000. The Barabati Stadium in Cuttack and Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar are major arenas for football events in Odisha. In Sikkim, the 30,000-capacity Paljor Stadium in Gangtok is famous as one of the most beautiful stadiums in the world because of its backdrop of the Himalayas. The main stadium in Shillong is the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium with a capacity of 30,000 standing. Both the Paljor and the JLN in Shillong have been renovated with artificial playing surfaces. Some other important stadiums are the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune, Barasat Stadium in Barasat, the Fatorda Stadium in Goa, the Kaloor International Stadium in Kochi, the Municipal Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode, the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Guwahati and the EKA Arena in Ahmedabad. There are hundreds of other stadiums in the country. The following stadiums are affiliated by All India Football Federation.{{cite web |title=2011 SAFF Championship Stadium Guide: New Delhi – Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium |url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2773/saff-championship/2011/12/01/2781850/2011-saff-championship-stadium-guide-new-delhi-jawaharlal |website=goal.com |publisher=goal.com India |access-date=16 September 2018 |ref=JLN Stadium |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915042350/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2773/saff-championship/2011/12/01/2781850/2011-saff-championship-stadium-guide-new-delhi-jawaharlal |archive-date=15 September 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Sunil Chhetri strikes brace as India beat Malaysia 3-2 in international friendly |url=http://post.jagran.com/sunil-chhetri-strikes-brace-as-india-beat-malaysia-32-in-international-friendly-1321467694|work=Jagran Post|access-date=16 September 2018 |ref=Salt Lake Stadium |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915042534/http://post.jagran.com/sunil-chhetri-strikes-brace-as-india-beat-malaysia-32-in-international-friendly-1321467694 |archive-date=15 September 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=India vs Nepal at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=275167/match=300311249/index.html#nosticky |website=fifa.com |publisher=FIFA |access-date=17 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017083214/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=275167/match=300311249/index.html#nosticky |archive-date=17 October 2017 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=India vs Iran at Sree Kranteerava Stadium |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=275171/match=300317458/index.html |website=fifa.com |publisher=FIFA |access-date=16 September 2018 |ref=Kranteerava Stadium |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915042534/https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=275171/match=300317458/index.html |archive-date=15 September 2018 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=FIVE-STAR INDIA EASE PAST CHINESE TAIPEI |url=https://the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=8982 |website=the-aiff.com |publisher=AIFF |access-date=16 September 2018 |ref=Mumbai Arena |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612150435/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=8982 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=India at the SAFF Cup |url=http://www.wifa.in/india-at-the-saff-cup/ |website=wifa.in |date=30 November 2011 |publisher=WIFA |access-date=12 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112150308/http://www.wifa.in/india-at-the-saff-cup/ |archive-date=12 January 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=India win 2012 Nehru Cup |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/photos/india-win-2012-nehru-cup/photostory/16227789.cms |website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=3 September 2012 |publisher=TOI |access-date=12 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190304083454/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/photos/india-win-2012-nehru-cup/photostory/16227789.cms |archive-date=4 March 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=INDIA ARE HERO TRI-NATION FOOTBALL SERIES 2017 CHAMPIONS |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=8405 |website=the-aiff.com |publisher=AIFF |access-date=12 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902085649/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=8405 |archive-date=2 September 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=OUR PRIMARY TARGET IS TO WIN THE TOURNAMENT: CONSTANTINE |url=https://the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9002 |website=the-aiff.com |publisher=AIFF |access-date=12 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190206134855/https://the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9002 |archive-date=6 February 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=AFC ASIAN CUP UAE 2019 |url=http://cms.the-afc.com/afcasfeeds?fixtureid=11142&stageid=432&tMode=H&view=ajax&show=matchsummary |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322204704/http://cms.the-afc.com/afcasfeeds?fixtureid=11142&stageid=432&tMode=H&view=ajax&show=matchsummary |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 March 2018 |website=the-afc.com |publisher=AFC |access-date=12 January 2019}}{{cite web |title=The experienced duo of Sunil Chhetri and Clifford Miranda were on target as India beat Nepal 2-0 in a comfortable win |url=https://www.goal.com/en-india/match/125247/india-vs-nepal/report |website=goal.com |publisher=GOAL |access-date=12 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112151520/https://www.goal.com/en-india/match/125247/india-vs-nepal/report |archive-date=12 January 2019 |url-status=live }}

{{Static row numbers}}

Note. † denotes stadiums that have hosted international football matches.

|{{center|5 – 2}}

|{{fbu|17|ESP}}

|Group stage

|6 (in 6 cities)

|Salt Lake Stadium

|120px

|-

|AFC U-20 Asian Cup

|2006 AFC Youth Championship

|{{fbu|20|PRK|}}

|{{center|1 – 1}}{{center|(5 – 3 pen.)}}

|{{fbu|20|JPN}}

|Group stage

|4 (in 2 cities)

|Salt Lake Stadium

|120px

|-

|AFC U-17 Asian Cup

|2016 AFC U-16 Championship

|{{fbu|17|IRQ}}

|{{center|0 – 0}}{{center|(4 – 3 pen.)}}

|{{fbu|17|IRI}}

|Group stage

|2 (in 2 cities)

|Fatorda Stadium

|120px

|-

|SAFF U-17 Championship

|2019 SAFF U-15 Championship

|{{fbu|17|IND|title=India U-17}}

|{{center|7 – 0}}

|{{fbu|17|NEP}}

|style="background:gold;"|Champions

|1 (in 1 city)

|Kalyani Stadium

|120px

|-

|SAFF U-20 Championship

|2022 SAFF U-20 Championship

|{{fbu|20|IND}}

|{{center|5 – 2 (a.e.t)}}

|{{fbu|20|BAN}}

|style="background:gold;"|Champions

|1 (in 1 city)

|Kalinga Stadium

|120px

|-

| colspan="10" style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|Women's senior competitions

|-

|AFC Women's Asian Cup

|2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup

|{{fbw|CHN}}

|{{center|3 – 2}}

|{{fbw|KOR}}

|Withdrew (due to Covid-19 breakout)

|3 (in 3 cities)

|DY Patil Stadium

|120px

|-

|SAFF Women's Championship

|2016 SAFF Women's Championship

|{{fbw|IND}}

|{{center|3 – 1}}

|{{fbw|BAN}}

|style="background:gold;"|Champions

|1 (in 1 city)

|Kanchenjunga Stadium

|120px

|-

| colspan="10" style="text-align:center; background:pink;"|Women's youth competitions

|-

|FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup

|2022 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup

|{{fbwu|17|ESP}}

|{{center|1 – 0}}

|{{fbwu|17|COL}}

|Group stage

|3 (in 3 cities)

|DY Patil Stadium

|120px

|-

|}

The Nehru Cup was an international invitational association football tournament organised by the AIFF and named after the First Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru.{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/251858-nehru-cup-victory-moment-to-cherish-for-indian-football-fans|title=Nehru Cup Victory : Moment To Cherish For Indian Football Fans|website=syndication.bleacherreport.com|publisher=Bharanithar|date=10 September 2009|access-date=22 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322074730/https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/251858-nehru-cup-victory-moment-to-cherish-for-indian-football-fans.amp.html|archive-date=22 March 2022}}

The Tri-Nation Series is a three-team football tournament organised by the AIFF. The first edition was held in 2017.{{cite web|last1=Sarmah|first1=Bhargab|title=AIFF's multi-million splurge on tri-nation football series defies logic|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/football/aiff-s-multi-million-splurge-on-tri-nation-football-series-defies-logic/story-VMgLzdpk05due44ue4hBiK.html|publisher=Hindustan Times|accessdate=18 August 2017}}

The Intercontinental Cup is a four-team association football tournament organised by the AIFF. The first edition was held in 2018.{{cite web|title=All Whites squad named for Intercontinental Cup|url=https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/63061|publisher=New Zealand Football|access-date=15 July 2022|archive-date=14 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714220054/https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/63061|url-status=live}}

The Gold Cup is a 4-team women's [association football tournament organised by the AIFF.{{cite web|title=Hero Gold Cup|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/competitions/hero-gold-cup|publisher=AIFF|access-date=8 January 2023|archive-date=8 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108103653/https://www.the-aiff.com/competitions/hero-gold-cup|url-status=live}} It was launched in 2019 with the first edition being held at the Kalinga Stadium in association with the Government of Odisha.{{cite web|title=Hero Gold Cup 2019|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/calendar?event=20&month=0&year=2019|publisher=AIFF|access-date=8 January 2023|archive-date=8 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108103655/https://www.the-aiff.com/calendar?event=20&month=0&year=2019|url-status=live}} The tournament naming rights were purchased by Hero MotoCorp which also sponsors the national team.{{cite web|title=INDIAN WOMEN TO PLAY IRAN ON OPENING DAY OF HERO GOLD CUP|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9457|publisher=AIFF|access-date=2023-01-08|archive-date=2019-02-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202043705/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9457|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://odishasuntimes.com/hero-gold-cup-india-to-face-iran-in-opener-at-odishas-kalinga-stadium/|title=Hero Gold Cup: India to face Iran in opener at Odisha's Kalinga Stadium|date=1 February 2019|access-date=8 January 2023|archive-date=23 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423034710/https://odishasuntimes.com/hero-gold-cup-india-to-face-iran-in-opener-at-odishas-kalinga-stadium/|url-status=usurped}}

A red box around the year indicates tournaments played within India

{{Main|India at the FIFA World Cup qualification}}

India has never played in the finals of the FIFA World Cup.{{cite news|last1=Choudhury|first1=Chandrahas|title=Blame India's World Cup Drought on the Shoes|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2014-06-11/blame-india-s-world-cup-drought-on-the-shoes|access-date=30 May 2016|work=Bloomberg|date=11 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406182813/https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2014-06-11/blame-india-s-world-cup-drought-on-the-shoes|archive-date=6 April 2017|url-status=live}} After gaining independence in 1947, India managed to qualify for the World Cup held in 1950.{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/50f.html|title=World Cup 1950 (Brazil, June 24-July 16)|access-date=10 December 2021|archive-date=20 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720114904/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/50f.html|url-status=live}} This was due to Myanmar, Indonesia, and the Philippines withdrawing from qualification round. However, prior to the start of the tournament, India withdrew due to the expenses required in getting the team to Brazil. But this reason was untrue because FIFA was ready to give money to India (AIFF) for their trip to Brazil.{{Cite web |last8=URLCopied! |date=2011-07-19 |title=Did India withdraw from the 1950 World Cup because they were not allowed to play barefoot? |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/sports-now/story/2011-07-19/did-india-withdraw-from-the-1950-world-cup-because-they-were-not-allowed-to-play-barefoot |access-date=2022-11-22 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=11 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111124551/https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/sports-now/story/2011-07-19/did-india-withdraw-from-the-1950-world-cup-because-they-were-not-allowed-to-play-barefoot |url-status=live }} Other reasons cited for why India withdrew include FIFA not allowing Indian players to play in the tournament barefoot and the All India Football Federation not considering the FIFA World Cup an important tournament compared to the Olympics.{{Cite web |last8=! |date=2011-07-19 |title=Did India withdraw from the 1950 World Cup because they were not allowed to play barefoot? |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/sports-now/story/2011-07-19/did-india-withdraw-from-the-1950-world-cup-because-they-were-not-allowed-to-play-barefoot |access-date=2022-11-22 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=11 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111124551/https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/sports-now/story/2011-07-19/did-india-withdraw-from-the-1950-world-cup-because-they-were-not-allowed-to-play-barefoot |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2022-11-10 |title=Why India did not compete in the 1950 football World Cup (and no, it wasn't because they didn't have boots) |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/why-india-did-not-compete-in-the-1950-football-world-cup-and-no-it-wasnt-because-they-didnt-have-boots-8260087/ |access-date=2022-11-22 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=22 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221122081011/https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/why-india-did-not-compete-in-the-1950-football-world-cup-and-no-it-wasnt-because-they-didnt-have-boots-8260087/ |url-status=live }}

After withdrawing from the 1950 FIFA World Cup, India did not enter the qualifying rounds of the tournament between 1954 and 1982.{{cite web|title=The Indian National Team's World Cup qualifying |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/data/worldcupq.html |website=Indianfootball.de |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100614204013/http://www.indianfootball.de/data/worldcupq.html |archive-date=14 June 2010 }} Since the 1986 qualifiers, with the exception of the 1990 edition of the tournament, the team participated in World Cup qualification, but has yet to qualify for the finals again.

{{Main|India at the AFC Asian Cup}}

File:THA-IND match 20190106 AFC Asian Cup 3.jpg]]

India has qualified for the AFC Asian Cup five times. The team played their first Asian Cup in 1964. The team managed to qualify following other nations' refusal to play against India due to political reasons.{{cite web |title=India's performances at the AFC Asian Cup |url=http://www.goal.com/en-in/news/india-afc-asian-cup-2019-indian-football/jfmg5uewl6ha1akznnjy4249l |website=goal.com |publisher=GOAL |access-date=28 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928161335/http://www.goal.com/en-in/news/india-afc-asian-cup-2019-indian-football/jfmg5uewl6ha1akznnjy4249l |archive-date=28 September 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|title=Asian Nations Cup 1964|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/64asch.html|website=RSSSF|access-date=21 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420094350/http://rsssf.com/tables/64asch.html|archive-date=20 April 2015|url-status=live}} India managed to finish the tournament as runners-up to hosts Israel, with Inder Singh finishing as joint top-scorer. Since then, India has failed to progress beyond the first round of the Asian Cup, with their participation at the 1984{{cite web |title=Asian Nations Cup 1984 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/84asch.html |website=RSSSF |access-date=14 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014174849/http://www.rsssf.com/tables/84asch.html |archive-date=14 October 2012 |url-status=live }} and 2011 Asian Cups,{{cite web |title=Asian Nations Cup 2011 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/11asch.html |website=RSSSF |access-date=14 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320095412/http://rsssf.com/tables/11asch.html |archive-date=20 March 2018 |url-status=live }} and most recently the 2019 Asian Cup.

In June 2022, India qualified for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup after winning all the matches in the third round of 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification. This is the first time ever India qualified consecutively for the continental championship.

{{Main|India national football team at the Olympics}}

File:India vs france 31st july 1948 team arriving.jpg on the left, leading the Indian team to Cricklefield Stadium to play against France in 1948]]

India competed in four straight Olympic football tournaments between 1948 and 1960.{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tableso/ol1948f-det.html|title=XIV. Olympiad London 1948 Football Tournament|access-date=3 September 2022|archive-date=3 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903031448/https://www.rsssf.org/tableso/ol1948f-det.html|url-status=live}} Their sole 1948 Olympics match against France was also India's first ever international match since the country gained independence in 1947. During the match, a majority of the Indian side played barefoot. The match ended in a 2–1 defeat, with Sarangapani Raman scoring the lone goal for India. India then returned to the Olympics four years later where they took on Yugoslavia in the preliminary rounds. The team suffered a 10–1 defeat, India's largest margin of defeat in a competitive match, and were knocked out.{{cite web |title=Yugoslavia 10-1 India |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tableso/ol1952f.html |website=RSSSF |access-date=14 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080922182234/http://rsssf.com/tableso/ol1952f.html |archive-date=22 September 2008 |url-status=live }}

Four years later, during the 1956 Olympics, India managed to reach the semi-finals and finish fourth. After India's first round opponents, Hungary, withdrew from the tournament, the team played against hosts Australia in the quarter-finals. A Neville D'Souza hat-trick, the first by an Asian footballer in the Olympics, helped India win 4–2.{{cite web |title=Olympics 1956 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tableso/ol1956f.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080922131126/http://rsssf.com/tableso/ol1956f.html |url-status=live |archive-date=2008-09-22 |website=RSSSF}} However, in the semi-finals, India once again suffered defeat against Yugoslavia, going down 4–1. In the bronze medal match, India were defeated 3–0 by Bulgaria.

In 1960, India competed in Group D with Hungary, France and Peru. India ended the group in last place, drawing once.{{cite web |title=Olympics 1960 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tableso/ol1960f.html |website=RSSSF |access-date=14 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080922193020/http://www.rsssf.com/tableso/ol1960f.html |archive-date=22 September 2008 |url-status=live }} India have since failed to qualify for another Olympic games.

{{Main|India national football team at the Asian Games}}

File:1962 Asiad India football team Gold Medal winner.jpg in the final of 1962 Asiad at Senayan Main Stadium, Jakarta|alt=India national football team dancing after winning the gold medal at 1962 Asian Games football tournament]]

India competed in eleven Asian Games, starting from 1951 to 1998, except the 1990 and 1994 editions.{{cite news|url=https://thesefootballtimes.co/2016/12/20/the-1962-asian-games-when-india-conquered-the-continent|title=When India Conquered the continent|access-date=22 January 2021|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109040540/https://thesefootballtimes.co/2016/12/20/the-1962-asian-games-when-india-conquered-the-continent/|url-status=live}} In 1951 Asian Games India won their first match against Indonesia in the first round and then defeated Japan in semi-final and went on to win against Iran in the final in front of the home crowd. The achievement of the Indian team was a special one as they became the first ever Asian Games gold medalists in football.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifamuseum.com/en/blog-stories/blog/india-go-top-in-asia-2609547/|title=India go top in Asia|access-date=29 December 2023|archive-date=29 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129053628/https://www.fifamuseum.com/en/blog-stories/blog/india-go-top-in-asia-2609547/|url-status=live}}

Though the next two tournaments proved to be less successful for the team, they bounced back by winning gold at the 1962 Asian games by defeating the Asian Cup winners South Korea. The team failed to defend their title in 1966 and went on to claim the bronze medal in 1970.

This was the last time India ever finished on the medal podium, the next years proved to be hard to regain their dominance as the side went through a sharp decline.{{cite news|url=https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/indian-national-football-team-how-a-drubbing-against-myanmar/1itsq2ad0gm5419idiy1x0lny6|title=Disaster against Myanmar|access-date=22 January 2021|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111221213/https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/indian-national-football-team-how-a-drubbing-against-myanmar/1itsq2ad0gm5419idiy1x0lny6|url-status=live}} The team made their return in 1998.

India has been the most successful team in the competition, winning overall eight titles.{{cite news|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/data/saffcup.html|title=SAFF Cup, indianfootball.de|access-date=22 January 2021|archive-date=2 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802072016/http://www.indianfootball.de/data/saffcup.html|url-status=live}} The team played in the knockout stage of every tournament except in 1993, when the tournament was in a league format.{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/saffgold93.html|title=RSSSF 1993 SAFF Cup|access-date=22 January 2021|archive-date=10 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410190814/http://rsssf.com/tabless/saffgold93.html|url-status=live}} The team also boasts a prestigious record of claiming medal at every championship played so far.{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/news/afcsection/hosts-india-land-tough-saff-championship-draw-27210|title=India land tough saff championship draw: AFC.com|access-date=18 June 2021|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200821/https://www.the-afc.com/news/afcsection/hosts-india-land-tough-saff-championship-draw-27210|url-status=live}} India has played in the final of every championship except the 2003, tournament where they claimed bronze medal.{{cite news|url=https://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/3883/features/2013/08/21/4204292/saff-championship-special-a-look-at-indias-history-in-the|title=India's Prestigious records at SAFF Championship|access-date=22 January 2021|archive-date=30 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630071002/https://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/3883/features/2013/08/21/4204292/saff-championship-special-a-look-at-indias-history-in-the|url-status=live}}

India has participated in every edition of senior football at the South Asian Games, except in 1984. The team emerged as champions in 1985, 1987, and 1995. They also took home silver in 1993, and bronze medals in 1989 and 1995.{{cite news|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/history#:~:text=In%201924%2C%20the%20Indian%20team,a%20trip%20to%20Sri%20Lanka.&text=The%20All%20India%20Football%20Federation,at%20the%20Army%20Headquarters%2C%20Simla.|title= History of Indian football team |access-date = 25 January 2021}}

|-

||{{flagicon|Sweden}} 1995

|-

||{{flagicon|USA}} 1999||colspan=9 rowspan=3|Did not qualify

|-

||{{flagicon|USA}} 2003

|-

||{{flagicon|China}} 2007

|-

||{{flagicon|Germany}} 2011||colspan=9|Did not enter

|-

||{{flagicon|Canada}} 2015||colspan=9 rowspan=2|Did not qualify

|-

||{{flagicon|France}} 2019

|-

||{{flagicon|Australia}}{{flagicon|New Zealand}} 2023||colspan=9|Withdrew from qualification

|-

||{{flagicon|Brazil}} 2027||colspan=9|To be determined

|-

!Total||0/9||-||-||-||-||-||-||-||-

|}

:*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

Notes:

{{notelist}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

:*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

:At 1979 AFC Asia Cup India placed two teams, India Senior (India S) and India Novice (India N), in other version called as India North and India South.

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

• DNQ: did not qualify

:Bold positions show best finish in the tournaments.

India has won the SAFF Women's Championship five times in a row.{{cite web|title=SAFF Championships: Indian Women Complete Record Hattrick of Football Title|url=http://newschoupal.com/2014/11/21/saff-championships-indian-women-complete-record-hattrick-of-football-title/|publisher=newschoupal.com|access-date=21 November 2014|date=21 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129070313/http://newschoupal.com/2014/11/21/saff-championships-indian-women-complete-record-hattrick-of-football-title/|archive-date=29 November 2014|url-status=dead}}

India has won the South Asian Games three times.

Red border indicates, India had hosted the games.

{{Main|Sports broadcasting contracts in India}}

List of current broadcasters:

List of current broadcasters:

List of current broadcasters:

List of current broadcasters:

List of current broadcasters:

List of current broadcasters:

|-

|Ligue 2

|{

|-

|Coupe de France

| colspan="2" rowspan="1" |None

| colspan="2" rowspan="1" |DAZN

|{{Cite web |date=2024-05-24 |title=Lyon Vs PSG, Coupe De France Final Live Streaming|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/sports/football/lyon-vs-psg-coupe-de-france-final-live-streaming-when-and-where-to-watch-kylian-mbappes-last-match-for-paris-saint-germain |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=Outlook India |language=en-US}}

|-

|Trophée des Champions

| colspan="2" rowspan="1" |None

| rowspan="1" |Galaxy Racer

| rowspan="1" |GXR website

|-

| rowspan="3" |Germany

|Bundesliga

| rowspan="1" |SPNI

| rowspan="1" |Sony Sports

| rowspan="1" |SPNI

| rowspan="1" |SonyLIV

|{{Cite web|title=Bundesliga {{!}} List of all broadcasters|url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/info/broadcasters/ASIA/in|access-date=2021-05-10|website=bundesliga.com – the official Bundesliga website|language=en}}

|-

|DFB Pokal

| colspan="2" |None

| rowspan="1" |Dream Sports

|FanCode

|{{Cite web |title=Prasar Bharati's WAVES OTT collaborates with German Football Association |url=https://www.storyboard18.com/digital/prasar-bharatis-waves-ott-collaborates-with-german-football-association-55762.htm |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=www.storyboard18.com |language=en}}

|-

|DFL-Supercup

| rowspan="1" |SPNI

| rowspan="1" |Sony Sports

| rowspan="1" |SPNI

| rowspan="1" |SonyLIV

|{{Cite web |title=German Super Cup final live streaming: Where and when to watch RB Leipzig vs Bayern Munich match in India? |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/football/german-super-cup-final-live-streaming-where-and-when-to-watch-rb-leipzig-vs-bayern-munich-match-in-india-article-93240166 |access-date=2022-07-30 |website=TimesNow |date=30 July 2022 |language=en}}

|-

| rowspan="3" |Italy

|Serie A

| rowspan="3" |None

| rowspan="3" |None

| rowspan="3" |Galaxy Racer

| rowspan="3" |GXR Website

|{{Cite web |title=Galaxy Racer (GXR) become LaLiga & Serie A streaming partner in Indian subcontinent |url=https://khelnow.com/football/world-football-galaxy-racer-gxr-laliga-serie-a-streaming-partner-indian-subcontinent-202408 |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=Khel Now |language=en-us}}

|-

|Coppa Italia

|{{Cite web |date=2024-05-24 |title=GXR becomes India's leading football streaming platform|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/football/gxr-becomes-indias-leading-football-streaming-platform-with-la-liga-serie-a-ligue-1-and-ligue-2-rights-101726835475906.html |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en-US}}

|-

|Supercoppa Italiana

|-

|Netherlands

|Eredivisie

|WBD India

|Eurosport India

|WBD India

|Discovery+

|{{Cite web|title=Broadcasters|url=https://eredivisie.eu/broadcasters/|access-date=2021-08-20|website=Eredivisie|language=en}}

|-

| rowspan="3" |Scotland

|Scottish Premiership

| rowspan="3" |JioStar

| rowspan="3" |Star Sports

| rowspan="3" |JioStar

| rowspan="3" |JioHotstar

|-

|Scottish League Cup

|-

|Scottish Championship

|-

| rowspan="6" |Spain

|La Liga

| colspan="2" rowspan="2" |None

| rowspan="2" |Dream Sports

| rowspan="2" |FanCode

|{

|-

|Segunda Division

|{

|-

|Copa del Rey

| colspan="2" rowspan="2" |None

| rowspan="2" |Dream Sports

| rowspan="2" |FanCode

|{{Cite news |date=2024-01-04 |title=FanCode secures exclusive broadcast rights for Africa Cup of Nations 2024, Copa del Rey, & Supercopa de Espana |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/fancode-secures-exclusive-broadcast-rights-for-africa-cup-of-nations-2024-copa-del-rey-supercopa-de-espana/articleshow/106540609.cms |access-date=2024-01-05 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}

|-

|Supercopa de España

|

|-

| rowspan="2" |Liga F

| colspan="2" rowspan="2" |None

|DAZN Group

|DAZN

| rowspan="2" |{{Cite web |date=2022-09-09 |title=DAZN Acquires Exclusive Broadcast Rights To Spanish Women's League For Five Years |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/asifburhan/2022/09/09/dazn-acquire-exclusive-broadcast-rights-to-spanish-womens-league-for-five-years/ |access-date=2023-09-16 |website=Forbes |language=en}}

|-

| colspan="2" |DAZN Women's Football YouTube channel

|-

| rowspan="3" |AFC

|AFC Champions League Elite

| rowspan="3" |JioStar

| rowspan="3" |Star Sports

| rowspan="3" |Dream Sports

| rowspan="3" |FanCode

|-

|AFC Champions League Two

|

|-

|AFC Women's Champions League

|

|-

|China

|Chinese Super League

| colspan="2" rowspan="3" |None

| rowspan="3" |Dream Sports

| rowspan="3" |FanCode

|{{Cite web |title=Chinese Super League 2023 |url=https://www.fancode.com/football/tour/chinese-super-league-2023-15948968 |access-date=2023-06-21 |website=FanCode |language=en}}

|-

|Japan

|J1 League

|{{Cite web |title=Overseas Broadcasting of the 2023 Meiji Yasuda J. League, J1 League to be available for worldwide from 2023 |url=https://aboutj.jleague.jp/corporate/en/release/overseas-broadcasting-of-the-2023-meiji-yasuda-j-league-j1-league-to-be-available-for-worldwide-from-2023/ |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=Jleague |language=en}}

|-

|Australia

|A League

|-

| rowspan="3" |Saudi Arabia

|Saudi Pro League

| rowspan="3" |SPNI

| rowspan="3" |Sony Sports

| rowspan="3" |SPNI

| rowspan="3" |SonyLIV

|{{Cite web |title=Sony Networks brings Saudi Pro League action to Indian subcontinent |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/brandwagon/sony-networks-brings-saudi-pro-league-action-to-indian-subcontinent/2975390/ |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=Financialexpress |date=8 February 2023 |language=en}}

|-

|King Cup

|{{Cite web |date=2023-03-14 |title=Al-Nassr vs Abha, King Cup 2022–23 Free Live Streaming Online in India |url=https://www.latestly.com/sports/football/al-nassr-vs-abha-king-cup-2022-23-free-live-streaming-online-in-india-how-to-watch-quarterfinal-match-live-telecast-on-tv-football-score-updates-in-ist-4945302.html |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=LatestLY |language=en}}

|-

|Saudi Super Cup

|{

|-

| rowspan="2" |CONCACAF

|CONCACAF Champions Cup

| colspan="2" rowspan="1" |None

| rowspan="1" |Dream Sports

| rowspan="1" |FanCode

|-

|Leagues Cup

|

|

| rowspan="2" |Apple

| rowspan="2" |Apple TV+
(MLS Season Pass)

|{{Cite web |title=Where and how to watch Leagues Cup in India? |url=https://khelnow.com/football/2023-08-world-football-where-how-watch-leagues-cup-india |access-date=2023-09-07 |website=Khel Now |language=English}}

|-

| rowspan="2" |United States

|Major League Soccer

|WBD India

|Eurosport India

|{{Cite web |date=2025-04-08 |title=MLS 2025, live - How to watch Lionel Messi and other Major League Soccer heavyweights in India |url=https://www.olympics.com/en/news/major-league-soccer-mls-25-football-where-watch-live-streaming-telecast-india |access-date= |website=Olympics.com |language=en-US}}

|-

|US Open Cup

| SPNI

| Sony Sports

| SPNI

| SonyLIV

|{{Cite web |date=25 September 2023 |title=US Open Cup Final, Inter Miami Vs Houston Dynamo: When And Where To Watch |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/sports/us-open-cup-final-inter-miami-vs-houston-dynamo-will-lionel-messi-play-when-and-where-to-watch-news-320518 |access-date=25 September 2023 |website=Outlookindia.com}}

|}

{{notelist}}

The Kerala Blasters ranked fifth most popular Asian club on social media as of 31 October 2018.{{cite web | url=https://seasia.co/2018/10/31/top-five-asian-clubs-with-highest-social-media-followers-up-to-october-2018 | title=Top FIVE Asian Clubs with Highest Social Media Followers, up to October 2018 }} Note that the Chinese football clubs Guangzhou FC, Shandong Taishan, Beijing Guoan, the Tianjin Jinmen Tiger and Shanghai Shenhua ranked above the Kerala Blasters with millions of followers on Weibo.{{cite web | url=http://mobile.ytsports.cn/news-963.html | title=Man Utd and Man City are the most followed clubs on Weibo in China | access-date=2022-08-10 | archive-date=2022-08-10 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810123454/http://mobile.ytsports.cn/news-963.html | url-status=live }}

{{row counter|

The following articles detail the major results and events in each season of Indian football since 2011.

{{Div col|colwidth=25em}}

• Sport in India
• Football in Asia
• History of the India national football team
• All India Sevens Football
• AIFF Player of the Year Awards
• Futsal Association of India
• Junior National Football Championship
• Football in West Bengal
• Kolkata derby
• List of football clubs in India
• List of Indian players in foreign leagues

{{Div col end}}

• Goal (2007)
• Maidaan (2023), Hindi movie of Ajay Devgn about Indian football's golden era of the 1950s.
• List of movies made on 'Football sport' in India
• List of Indian sport movies

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite journal |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14660970500106410?journalCode=fsas20 |title=Regionalism and club domination: Growth of rival centres of footballing excellence |publisher=Taylor & Francis |date=6 August 2006 |access-date=1 March 2023 |archive-date=1 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301202832/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14660970500106410?journalCode=fsas20 |journal=Soccer & Society |volume=6:2–3 |issue=2–3 |pages=227–256 |doi=10.1080/14660970500106410 |s2cid=216862171 |url-access=subscription }}
• {{cite web|url=https://wbsportsandyouth.gov.in/chronology|title=Chronology of Important Sports Events — West Bengal|website=wbsportsandyouth.gov.in|publisher=Government of West Bengal – Department of youth services and sports|date=2017|access-date=25 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013092944/https://wbsportsandyouth.gov.in/chronology|archive-date=13 October 2022|location=Kolkata}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_football/3937015.stm "What's holding back Indian football?"]—BBC Sport
• [https://archive.today/20030829121209/http://www.indien-netzwerk.de/navigation/frauen/artikel/achaudhuri-womenfootball.htm "Gender and sport in India: aspects of women's football"]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20181215222028/http://broadband.indiatimes.com/articleshowft/1167377.cms "Indian Football Association over the ages" (Video)]

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Category:Football in India

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