India national football team

{{About|the men's team|the women's team|India women's national football team}}

{{Infobox national football team

| Name = India

| Badge = Indian Football 2020.svg

| Badge_size = 200px

| FIFA Trigramme = IND

| Nickname = The Blue Tigers

| Association = All India Football Federation (AIFF)

| Confederation = AFC (Asia)

| Sub-confederation = SAFF (South Asia)

| website = {{official URL}}

| Coach = Manolo Márquez

| Captain = Sandesh Jhingan

| Most caps = Sunil Chhetri (153){{cite web|last1=Dey|first1=Subrata|title=India – Record international players |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/india-recintlp.html |access-date=12 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321143659/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/india-recintlp.html#app|archive-date=21 March 2019|website=RSSSF|url-status=live}}

| Top scorer = Sunil Chhetri (95)

| Home Stadium = Various

| FIFA Rank = {{FIFA World Rankings|IND}}

| FIFA max = 94

| FIFA max date = February 1996

| FIFA min = 173

| FIFA min date = March 2015

| Elo Rank = {{World Football Elo Ratings|India}}

| Elo max = 30{{cite web | title= World Football Elo Ratings: India | url= http://www.eloratings.net/India.htm | publisher= World Football Elo Ratings | access-date= 15 September 2018 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180424212122/http://www.eloratings.net/India.htm | archive-date= 24 April 2018 | url-status= live }}

| Elo max date = March 1952

| Elo min = 186

| Elo min date = September 2015

| pattern_la1 = _ind2425h

| pattern_b1 = _ind2425h

| pattern_ra1 = _ind2425h

| pattern_sh1 = _ind2425h

| pattern_so1 =

| leftarm1 = 00A9FF

| body1 = 00A9FF

| rightarm1 = 00A9FF

| shorts1 = 00A9FF

| socks1 = 00A9FF

| pattern_la2 = _ind2425a

| pattern_b2 = _ind2425a

| pattern_ra2 = _ind24a

| pattern_sh2 = _ind2425a

| pattern_so2 =

| leftarm2 = FF6607

| body2 = FF6607

| rightarm2 = FF6607

| shorts2 = FF6607

| socks2 = FF6607

| First game = Pre-independence:
{{fb|AUS}} 5–3 {{fb-rt|IND|British}}
(Sydney, Australia; 3 September 1938)
Post-independence:
{{fb|IND}} 1–2 {{fb-rt|FRA}}
(London, England; 31 July 1948)

| Largest win = {{fb|IND}} 7–0 {{fb-rt|SRI}}
(Bangalore, India; 7 December 1963)

| Largest loss = {{nowrap|{{fb|URS|1955}} 11–1 {{fb-rt|IND}}
(Moscow, Soviet Union; 16 September 1955)}}

| World cup apps =

| World cup first =

| World cup best =

| Regional name = Olympic Football Tournament

| Regional cup apps = 4

| Regional cup first = 1948

| Regional cup best = Fourth place

(1956)

| 2ndRegional name = Asian Cup

| 2ndRegional cup apps = 5

| 2ndRegional cup first = 1964

| 2ndRegional cup best = Runners-up (1964)

| 3rdRegional name = AFC Challenge Cup

| 3rdRegional cup apps = 2

| 3rdRegional cup first = 2008

| 3rdRegional cup best = Champions (2008)

| 4thRegional name = SAFF Championship

| 4thRegional cup apps = 13

| 4thRegional cup first = 1993

| 4thRegional cup best = Champions (1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2011, 2015, 2021, 2023)

| medaltemplates =

}}

The India national football team represents India in men's international football and is governed by the All India Football Federation. It is a member of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF).

The team, which is considered as the best team in South Asia, won two gold medals at the 1951 and 1962 Asian Games while finishing fourth at the 1956 Summer Olympics. India has never participated in the FIFA World Cup, although they did qualify by default for the 1950 World Cup after all other nations in their qualification group withdrew. However, India withdrew prior to the beginning of the tournament. The team has also appeared four times in the AFC Asian Cup, Asia's top football championship and finished as runners-up in 1964. India also participates in the SAFF Championship, the top regional football competition in South Asia. They have won the tournament record eight times since its inception in 1993.

In the 21st century, besides the SAFF Championship triumphs, India won the Nehru Cup in 2007 and 2009 editions. India also won the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup, by which the team qualified for the Asian Cup after 27 years' gap.

History

= Early years (1930s–1940s) =

{{multiple image

| align = left

| direction = vertical

| image1 = India & all European team 1938 Calcutta Charity match.jpg

| width1 = 260

| alt1 = Aerial photo of packed stadium

| image2 = India national team at Olympics 1948.jpg

| width2 = 260

| alt2 = Stadium interior, photographed from the grandstand

| footer = In the top image, Indian team (in white jersey) and all European team (in black jersey), together before a match held in Calcutta on 1 July 1938. In bottom image, India side that participated in the 1948 Olympics' match against France.

| total_width =

| caption1 =

| caption2 =

}}

The first foreign tour by the Indian football team was to Ceylon in 1933. India beat Ceylon 1–0 in first match of the tour. Though it was an All-Bengal team, it was an Indian team by all means.

The second known official international tour of the Indian team, which at that time consisted of both Indian and British players, was to South Africa in 1934 when it was led by Indian footballer Gostha Pal.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J6NsDwAAQBAJ&dq=indian+football+team+visited+south+africa+in+u1934&pg=PA177|page=177|isbn=978-3-319-93608-6 |title=Cricket and Society in South Africa, 1910–1971: From Union to Isolation |date=September 2018 |publisher=Springer }}

The football team of the Muhammadan Sporting Club Calcutta visited Ceylon in 1935.{{cite web|url=https://pedia.desibantu.com/gostha-pal/|title=Gostha Pal|date=3 March 2010|access-date=2018-08-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820141524/https://pedia.desibantu.com/gostha-pal/|archive-date=20 August 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thehardtackle.com/2011/legends-of-indian-football-gostha-pal/|title=LEGENDS OF INDIAN FOOTBALL : GOSTHA PAL|date=20 August 2011|access-date=2018-08-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820140949/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2011/legends-of-indian-football-gostha-pal/|archive-date=20 August 2018|url-status=live}}

Football teams consisting of entirely Indian players started to tour Australia, Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand during the late 1930s.

In the year 1938, India carried out a lengthy tour of Australia at the request of the Australian Football Association. From August to October, they played 17 matches against various state, district, and club teams, and 5 friendly matches against the Australian national team.{{cite web |title=Matches 1938 |url=https://www.fifa.com/live-scores/teams/country=ind/men/matches/index.html#year1938 |website=fifa.com |publisher=FIFA |access-date=24 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924110047/https://www.fifa.com/live-scores/teams/country=ind/men/matches/index.html#year1938 |archive-date=24 September 2018 |url-status=dead }} The first of these, on 3 September in Sydney, is India's first international game to be recognised by FIFA, and ended in a 5–3 defeat. After drawing the second match in Brisbane 4–4, India won the third match at Newcastle 4–1 to claim their first international win.

The national team played their first match as an independent nation in the first round of the 1948 Summer Olympics against France, in a 2–1 defeat. Famously, the Indian team did not wear boots, playing either barefoot or in socks, something that would be banned by FIFA later in the year.{{cite web |url=http://pierretristam.com/pdfs/wc10.pdf |title=Triumphs and Disasters: The Story of Indian Football, 1889—2000. |access-date=20 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813081005/http://pierretristam.com/pdfs/wc10.pdf |archive-date=13 August 2012 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web|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#:~:text=SOCCER%2FFOOTBALL%20LEGEND%3A%20India%20withdrew,not%20allowed%20to%20play%20barefoot.&text=India%20surprised%20the%20world%20with,Summer%20Olympics%20in%20London%2C%20England|title=Did India withdraw from the 1950 World Cup because they were not allowed to play barefoot?|website=Los Angeles Times|date=19 July 2011|access-date=12 November 2022|first=Brian|last=Cronin|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|archive-date=11 November 2022|url-status=live}}{{Efn|India actually were tied with France at 1 goal all 70 minutes.}}

= Golden years (1950s–1960s) =

File:India national football team at1956 Olympics.png.]]

In 1950, India managed to qualify for the 1950 FIFA World Cup, which was scheduled to take place in Brazil, after all the other teams in their qualifying group withdrew. However, India themselves withdrew from the tournament shortly before it began; officially, this was due to travel costs, but FIFA had offered to pay the team's travel expenses, and the real reason behind their withdrawal has been widely speculated in the decades since.{{cite web | url=https://www.timesnownews.com/fifa-football-world-cup-2018-russia/article/why-did-india-withdraw-from-fifa-world-cup/239363 | title=FIFA World Cup: Here's why India withdrew from quadrennial event in 1950 despite qualifying | publisher=Times Now | date=12 June 2018 | accessdate=30 July 2021 | archive-date=29 July 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729214934/https://www.timesnownews.com/fifa-football-world-cup-2018-russia/article/why-did-india-withdraw-from-fifa-world-cup/239363 | url-status=live }}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 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318000125/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition%3D7/overview.html |archive-date=18 March 2012}}{{cite web | url=https://worldfootballindex.com/2018/07/india-1950-world-cup-barefoot/ | title=Were India Banned From World Cup 1950 For Wanting To Play Barefoot? | publisher=World Football Index | work=Peter Jones | date=11 July 2018 | accessdate=30 July 2021 | archive-date=24 October 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024001231/https://worldfootballindex.com/2018/07/india-1950-world-cup-barefoot/ | url-status=live }} While it was commonly believed that India withdrew due to FIFA's ban on playing barefoot, the team's captain at that time, Sailen Manna, insisted that this was not the case; it is now generally accepted that India withdrew simply because they valued the Olympics more than the World Cup and did not view the latter is being prestigious enough to justify taking part. Since then, India have yet to qualify for another World Cup.{{cite web|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/data/worldcupq.html|title=Indian football.de 1950 World Cup|access-date=4 May 2021|archive-date=14 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100614204013/http://www.indianfootball.de/data/worldcupq.html|url-status=live}}

Despite not participating in the World Cup in 1950 and opting not to even play the Asian zone qualifiers until 1985, the following years until 1964 are usually considered to be the "golden era" of the Indian football.{{cite web|url=https://www.chaseyoursport.com/Football/The-Golden-Years-of-Indian-Football/659|title=The Golden Years of Indian Football|website=www.chaseyoursport.com|publisher=Chase Your Sport|location=Kolkata|first=Rounak|last=Majumdar|date=22 April 2019|access-date=28 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107230046/https://www.chaseyoursport.com/Football/The-Golden-Years-of-Indian-Football/659|archive-date=7 November 2020}} India, coached by Hyderabad City Police head coach Syed Abdul Rahim,{{Cite web|last=Sengupta|first=Somnath|title=Tactical Evolution of Indian Football (Part Two): Revolution Under Rahim Saab|url=https://thehardtackle.com/2011/tactical-evolution-of-indian-football-part-two-revolution-under-rahim-saab/|location=Kolkata|date=13 July 2011|access-date=2021-03-16|website=thehardtackle.com|publisher=The Hard Tackle|language=en-US|archive-date=25 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025021904/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2011/tactical-evolution-of-indian-football-part-two-revolution-under-rahim-saab/}}{{cite web |title=India National Football Team: The Tactical Dilemma |url=https://thehardtackle.com/2011/india-national-football-team-the-tactical-dilemma/ |website=thehardtackle.com |publisher=The Hard Tackle |last=Sengupta |first=Somnath |date=10 May 2011 |access-date=2 January 2023 |archive-date=2 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102203409/https://thehardtackle.com/2011/india-national-football-team-the-tactical-dilemma/ }} became one of the best teams in Asia.{{cite web |author=Article written by Somnath Sengupta |url=http://www.thehardtackle.com/index.php/legends-of-indian-football-rahim-saab/ |title=Legends of Indian Football: Rahim Saab |publisher=Thehardtackle.com |date=26 December 2010 |access-date=20 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615042007/http://www.thehardtackle.com/index.php/legends-of-indian-football-rahim-saab/ |archive-date=15 June 2011 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Hans/2018-07-14/Old-timers-recollect-past-glory-of-city-football/398165|title=Old-timers recollect past glory of city football|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022162920/https://www.thehansindia.com/amp/posts/index/Hans/2018-07-14/Old-timers-recollect-past-glory-of-city-football/398165|archive-date=22 October 2021|publisher=The Hans India|date=14 July 2018|access-date=5 September 2021|first=Mohammed|last=Nizamuddin|location=Hyderabad, Telangana}} In March 1951, Rahim led India to their first ever triumph during the 1951 Asian Games, hosted in India. The team defeated Iran 1–0 in the gold medal match to win their first trophy.{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/asgames51.html|title=Asian Games 1951|access-date=1 January 2023}} Sahu Mewalal scored the winning goal for India in that match.{{cite web|url=https://www.teammelli.com/matchdata/details/matchdetails.php?id=15|title=India 1–0 Iran}} The following year, India competed in the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki, but were unused to the cold conditions and lost 10–1 to Yugoslavia.{{cite web |author=Arunava Chaudhuri |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1952olympics.html |title=The Indian Senior Team at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics |publisher=Indianfootball.de |access-date=20 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203000534/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1952olympics.html |archive-date=3 December 2018 |url-status=live}} Following this defeat, the AIFF made it mandatory for footballers to wear boots. After taking the defeat in Helsinki Finland, India participated in various minor tournaments, such as the Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament, which they won four times from 1952 to 1955.{{cite web|title=Colombo Cup|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/data/colombocup.html|website=IndianFootball.De|access-date=21 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416014805/http://www.indianfootball.de/data/colombocup.html|archive-date=16 April 2017|url-status=live}}

In 1954, India returned to the Asian Games as defending champions in Manila. Despite their achievement three years prior, India was unable to go past the group stage as the team finished second in Group C during the tournament, two points behind Indonesia.{{cite web|title=Asian Games 1954|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/asgames54.html|website=RSSSF|access-date=21 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420135938/http://rsssf.com/tablesa/asgames54.html|archive-date=20 April 2015|url-status=live}} Two years later, at the 1956 Summer Olympics, India went on to achieve the team's greatest result in a competitive tournament. The team finished in fourth place during the Summer Olympics football tournament, losing the bronze-medal match to Bulgaria 3–0. The tournament is also known for Neville D'Souza's hat-trick against Australia in the quarterfinals. D'Souza's hat-trick was the first scored by an Asian in Olympic history. India defeated Australia by 4–2 in that match at the Olympic Park Stadium.{{cite web|title=Melbourne, 1956|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/melbourne1956/|website=FIFA|access-date=19 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122235009/https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/melbourne1956/|archive-date=22 January 2018|url-status=dead}}

File:India Football Team before departure for 1962Asiad.jpg and the 1962 Asiad.|alt=India national football team in India Asian Games suit before boarding the plane for Jakara, Indonesia.]]

After their good performance during the Summer Olympics, India participated in the 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo. The team once again finished fourth, losing the bronze-medal match to Indonesia 4–1.{{cite web |author=Arunava Chaudhuri |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1958asiangames.html |title=The Indian Senior Team at the 1958 Tokyo Asian Games |publisher=Indianfootball.de |access-date=20 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002162137/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1958asiangames.html |archive-date=2 October 2011 |url-status=live}} The next year the team travelled to Malaysia where they took part in the 1959 Merdeka tournament and finished as the tournament runners-up.{{cite web |author=Arunava Chaudhuri |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1959merdekacup.html |title=The Indian Senior Team at the 1959 Merdeka Cup |publisher=Indianfootball.de |access-date=20 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002162144/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1959merdekacup.html |archive-date=2 October 2011 |url-status=live}}

India began the 1960s with the 1960 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. Despite the qualifiers for the West Zone being held in Kochi, India finished last in their qualification group and thus missed out the tournament.{{cite web |author=Arunava Chaudhuri |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1960asiacupq.html |title=The Indian Senior Team at the 1960 Seoul Asia Cup Qualifiers |publisher=Indianfootball.de |access-date=20 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002162157/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1960asiacupq.html |archive-date=2 October 2011 |url-status=live}} Despite the set-back, India went on to win the gold medal during the Asian Games for the second time in 1962. The team defeated South Korea 2–1 to win their second major championship.{{cite web |author=Arunava Chaudhuri |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1962asiangames.html |title=The Indian Senior Team at the 1962 D'Jakarta Asian Games |publisher=Indianfootball.de |access-date=20 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002162213/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1962asiangames.html |archive-date=2 October 2011 |url-status=dead }}

Two years later, following their Asian Games triumph, India participated in the 1964 AFC Asian Cup after all the other teams in their qualification group withdrew. Despite their automatic entry into the continental tournament, India team managed to finish as the runners-up during the tournament, losing out to the hosts, Israel, by two points. This remains India's best performance in the AFC Asian Cup.{{cite web |first=Arunava |last=Chaudhuri |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1964asiacup.html |title=The Indian Senior Team at the 1964 Tel Aviv Asia Cup |publisher=Indianfootball.de |access-date=20 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002162221/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1964asiacup.html |archive-date=2 October 2011 |url-status=dead }}

= Decline (1970s–2000) =

File:India v argentina 1984.jpg match at the Eden Gardens during the 1984 Nehru Cup.]]

India returned to the Asian Games in 1966. Despite their performance two years prior during the AFC Asian Cup, India could not go beyond the group stage as the team finished third, behind Japan and Iran.{{cite web |author=Arunava Chaudhuri |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1966asiangames.html |title=The Indian Senior Team at the 1966 Bangkok Asian Games |publisher=Indianfootball.de |access-date=20 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002162235/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1966asiangames.html |archive-date=2 October 2011 |url-status=live }} Four years later, during the 1970 Asian Games, India came back and took third place during the tournament. The team defeated Japan 1–0 during the bronze-medal match.{{cite web |author=Arunava Chaudhuri |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1970asiangames.html |title=The Indian Senior Team at the 1970 Bangkok Asian Games |publisher=Indianfootball.de |access-date=20 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002162324/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1970asiangames.html |archive-date=2 October 2011 |url-status=live }}

In 1974, India's performance in the Asian Games once again sharply declined as they finished the 1974 edition in last place in their group, losing all three matches, scoring two, and conceding 14 goals in the first round.{{cite web|title=Asian Games 1974|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/asgames74.html|website=RSSSF|access-date=21 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922025244/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/asgames74.html|archive-date=22 September 2013|url-status=live}} India then showed steady improvement during the 1978 tournament, finishing second in their group of three. The team were then knocked-out in the next round, finishing last in their group with three defeats from three matches.{{cite web|title=Asian Games 1978|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/asgames78.html|website=RSSSF|access-date=21 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109205659/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/asgames78.html|archive-date=9 November 2013|url-status=live}} The 1982 tournament proved to be better for India as the side managed to qualify for the quarter-finals before losing to Saudi Arabia 1–0.{{cite web|title=Asian Games 1982|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/asgames82.html|website=RSSSF|access-date=21 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109213241/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/asgames82.html|archive-date=9 November 2013|url-status=live}}

In 1984, India managed to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup for the first time since their second place triumph in 1964. During the 1984 tournament, India finished in last place in their five team group in the first round.{{cite web |author=Arunava Chaudhuri |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1984asiacup.html |title=The Indian Senior Team at the 1984 Singapore Asia Cup |publisher=Indianfootball.de |access-date=20 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002162346/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1984asiacup.html |archive-date=2 October 2011 |url-status=live }} India's only non-defeat during the tournament came against Iran, a 0–0 draw.

Despite India's decline from a major football power in Asia, the team still managed to assert its dominance as the top team in South Asia. India managed to win the football competition of the South Asian Games in 1985 and then again won the gold medal in 1987.{{cite web|title=South Asian Games|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/data/saf-games.html|website=IndianFootball.De|access-date=21 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021175146/http://www.indianfootball.de/data/saf-games.html|archive-date=21 October 2017|url-status=live}} The team then began the 1990s by winning the inaugural SAFF Championship in 1993 and silver medal at the 1993 South Asian Games. In February 1996, India achieved its highest FIFA ranking of 94, under Bhaichung Bhutia's captaincy.{{Cite web |date=29 June 2023|last=Nag|first=Utathya |title=Indian football's FIFA Rankings: Analysing the rise and fall since 1992 |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/india-football-team-rankings-world-fifa-best-worst-position-points-table |url-status=live |access-date=13 July 2023 |website=olympics.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331031347/https://olympics.com/en/news/india-football-team-rankings-world-fifa-best-worst-position-points-table|archive-date=31 March 2023}}{{cite news|title=SAFF Championship: Remembering India's SAFF title triumphs|url=http://www.thehardtackle.com/2013/saff-championship-remembering-indias-saff-title-triumphs/|access-date=17 March 2017|work=The Hard Tackle|date=27 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112729/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2013/saff-championship-remembering-indias-saff-title-triumphs/|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}} The team ended the 20th century by winning the SAFF Championship again in 1997 and 1999.

= Resurgence (2001–2011) =

File:A view of ONGC Nehru Football Cup between India- Syria, in New Delhi on August 29, 2007.jpg at the 2007 Nehru Cup.]]

India's first competitive matches of the 21st century were the 2002 FIFA World Cup first round qualifiers. India took a very bright start, defeating the United Arab Emirates 1–0, drawing Yemen 1–1, as well as two victories over Brunei, including a 5–0 victory in Bangalore. However, they finished a point away from qualification for the next round.{{cite web|title=World Cup qualifying|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2002q.html|website=RSSSF|access-date=21 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116173331/http://www.rsssf.com/tables/2002q.html|archive-date=16 January 2009|url-status=live}} In 2003, India took part in the 2003 SAFF Championship. The team qualified for the semi-finals but fell to Bangladesh 2–1.{{cite web|title=SAFF 2003|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/saffgold02.html|website=RSSSF|access-date=21 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324135047/http://www.rsssf.com/tabless/saffgold02.html|archive-date=24 March 2018|url-status=live}}

Later in 2003, India participated in the Afro-Asian Games being held in Hyderabad. Under the coaching of Stephen Constantine, India managed to make it to the final of the tournament after defeating Zimbabwe, a team ranked 85 places above India in the FIFA rankings at the time, 5–3.{{cite news|title=Constantine's rising stock|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/article/article163.html|access-date=17 March 2017|work=IndianFootball.De|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112033/http://www.indianfootball.de/article/article163.html|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}} Despite the major victory, during the gold-medal match India were defeated 1–0 by Uzbekistan.{{cite news|title=Uzbekistan win football gold|url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/2003/oct/31foot1.htm|access-date=17 March 2017|work=Rediff|date=23 October 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112535/http://www.rediff.com/sports/2003/oct/31foot1.htm|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}} Because of this achievement, Constantine was voted as the Asian Football Confederation's Manager of the Month for October 2003. The tournament result also gave India more recognition around the country and around the world.

File:The captain of Indian Football team, Shri Bhaichung Bhutia celebrating alongwith other players after winning the final of Nehru Football Cup between India and Syria, in New Delhi on August 29, 2007.jpg, celebrating along with other players after winning the 2007 Nehru Cup final.]]

Constantine was replaced by Syed Nayeemuddin in 2005 but the Indian head coach only lasted for a little over a year as India suffered many heavy defeats during the 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.{{cite news|title=National football team's coach sacked|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/national-football-team-s-coach-sacked/story-E3GhmqEJs5QoF4fCbAGZyJ.html|access-date=17 March 2017|work=Hindustan Times|date=9 March 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322111709/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/national-football-team-s-coach-sacked/story-E3GhmqEJs5QoF4fCbAGZyJ.html|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}} During this time India were defeated 6–0 by Japan, 3–0 by Saudi Arabia and Yemen respectively at home, and 7–1 away in Jeddah.{{cite web|title=AFC Asian Cup 2007|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/07asch.html|website=RSSSF|access-date=21 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303181313/http://www.rsssf.com/tables/07asch.html|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=live}} Former Malmö and China coach Bob Houghton was brought in as head coach in May 2006.{{cite news|title=Bob Houghton is India's football coach|url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/2006/may/28foot.htm|access-date=17 March 2017|work=Rediff|date=28 May 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322202639/http://www.rediff.com/sports/2006/may/28foot.htm|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}}

Under Houghton, India witnessed massive improvement in their football standing. In August 2007, Houghton won the country the restarted Nehru Cup after India defeated Syria 1–0 in the final.{{cite news|title=Nehru Cup 2007|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/nehru07.html|work=RSSSF|access-date=21 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522145716/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesn/nehru07.html|archive-date=22 May 2018|url-status=live}} Pappachen Pradeep scored the winning goal for India that match. The next year, Houghton led India during the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup, which was hosted in Hyderabad and Delhi. During the tournament, India breezed through the group stage before defeating Myanmar in the semi-finals. In the final against Tajikistan, India, through a Sunil Chhetri hat-trick, won the match 4–1. The victory not only earned India the championship but it also allowed India to qualify for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, the nation's first Asian Cup appearance in 27 years.{{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 order to prepare for the Asian Cup, Houghton had the team stay together as a squad for eight months from June 2010 until the start of the tournament, meaning the players would not play for their clubs.{{cite news|last1=Rizvi|first1=Ahmed|title=Houghton prepares in earnest|url=http://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/houghton-prepares-in-earnest|access-date=17 March 2017|work=The National|date=7 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112203/http://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/houghton-prepares-in-earnest|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}}

India were drawn into Group C for the Asian Cup with Australia, South Korea, and Bahrain.{{cite news|title=AFC Asian Cup 2011: Group C preview|url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2011/01/04/afc-asian-cup-2011-group-c-preview|access-date=17 March 2017|work=The World Game|date=9 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322113553/http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2011/01/04/afc-asian-cup-2011-group-c-preview|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}} Even though they stayed together as a team for eight months, India lost all three of their matches during the Asian Cup, including a 4–0 defeat to Australia.{{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}} Despite the results, India were praised by fans and pundits for their valiant efforts during the tournament.

= Recent history (2011–2018) =

After participating the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, India's campaign to qualify for the 2015 Asian Cup began in February 2011 with the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers. Bob Houghton decided to change the makeup of the India squad, replacing many of the older players from the Asian Cup with some young players from the AIFF development side in the I-League, Indian Arrows.{{cite news|last1=Sengupta|first1=Rahul|title=AIFF Announces New Look Indian Squad for the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1582/afc-challenge-cup/2011/02/17/2356458/indian-national-team-aiff-announces-new-look-indian-squad|access-date=17 March 2017|work=Goal.com|date=17 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112211/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1582/afc-challenge-cup/2011/02/17/2356458/indian-national-team-aiff-announces-new-look-indian-squad|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}} Even with a young side, India managed to qualify for the AFC Challenge Cup.{{cite news|last1=Deb|first1=Debapriya|title=2012 AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers: team India performance report card – Part 1|url=http://www.thehardtackle.com/2011/2012-afc-challenge-cup-qualifiers-team-india-preformance-report-card-part-1/|access-date=17 March 2017|work=The Hard Tackle|date=27 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112705/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2011/2012-afc-challenge-cup-qualifiers-team-india-preformance-report-card-part-1/|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}} Despite qualifying for the AFC Challenge Cup, the AIFF decided to terminate the contract of Bob Houghton as he was charged with racial abuse towards referee{{cite web |title=Houghton's tenure as Indian football coach over: sources |date=21 April 2011 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Houghtons-tenure-as-Indian-football-coach-over-sources/articleshow/8047952.cms |work=The Times of India|access-date=4 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014043848/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Houghtons-tenure-as-Indian-football-coach-over-sources/articleshow/8047952.cms |archive-date=14 October 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Nelson |first1=Dean |title=India to sack British football manager Bob Houghton over racism allegations |date=24 February 2011 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/8345292/India-to-sack-British-football-manager-Bob-Houghton-over-racism-allegations.html |work=The Telegraph |access-date=4 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315032943/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/8345292/India-to-sack-British-football-manager-Bob-Houghton-over-racism-allegations.html |archive-date=15 March 2012 |url-status=live }} which ultimately resulted in his resignation as the head coach of India.{{cite web|title=Coach Bob Houghton resigns after bitter stand-off with AIFF|date=23 September 2011|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/coach-bob-houghton-resigns-after-bitter-standoff-with-aiff/780356/|work=The Indian Express|access-date=4 October 2019|archive-date=25 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325021909/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/coach-bob-houghton-resigns-after-bitter-standoff-with-aiff/780356/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Football coach Bob Houghton resigns after bitter stand-off with AIFF |date=23 April 2011 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/football/story/aiff-indian-football-coach-bob-houghton-resigns-132633-2011-04-23 |work=ITGD Bureau |publisher=India Today |access-date=4 October 2019 |archive-date=3 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703201604/https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/football/story/aiff-indian-football-coach-bob-houghton-resigns-132633-2011-04-23 |url-status=live }}

File:India starting XI vs Puerto Rico 2016.jpg in September 2016.]]

After having Dempo coach Armando Colaco as interim head coach,{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/i-was-not-given-time-to-get-results-with-national-team-armando-colaco/articleshow/92308656.cms|title=Goa: "I was not given time to get results with national team" Armando Colaco|website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com|publisher=The Times of India|date=19 June 2022|access-date=19 August 2022|first=Marcus|last=Mergulhao|agency=TNN|location=Panaji, Goa|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618195510/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/i-was-not-given-time-to-get-results-with-national-team-armando-colaco/articleshow/92308656.cms|archive-date=18 June 2022|url-status=live}} the AIFF signed Savio Medeira as head coach in October 2011.{{cite news|title=Indian Coach Profile – Savio Medeira|url=http://www.wifa.in/?p=356|date=30 November 2011|access-date=17 March 2017|website=wifa.in|publisher=Western India Football Association|location=Mumbai, Maharashtra|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112552/http://www.wifa.in/?p=356|archive-date=22 March 2017}} Medeira led India to another SAFF Championship victory, but also to their worst performance in the AFC Challenge Cup in March 2012. The team lost all three of their group matches, unable to score a single goal during the tournament.{{cite news|last1=De Sousa|first1=Jonathan|title=Indian football: AFC Challenge Cup 2012 Review – A look at the blue tigers|url=http://www.thehardtackle.com/2012/afc-challenge-cup-2012-review-a-look-at-the-blue-tigers/|access-date=17 March 2017|work=The Hard Tackle|date=15 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112715/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2012/afc-challenge-cup-2012-review-a-look-at-the-blue-tigers/|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}} After the tournament, Medeira was replaced as head coach by Dutchman, Wim Koevermans.{{cite news |author=Ayush Srivastava|title=Wim Koevermans named as new India senior team coach|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2696/indian-national-team/2012/06/15/3176061/wim-koevermans-named-as-new-india-senior-team-coach|access-date=17 March 2017|work=Goal.com|date=15 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322203049/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2696/indian-national-team/2012/06/15/3176061/wim-koevermans-named-as-new-india-senior-team-coach|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}} Koevermans' first job as head coach was the 2012 Nehru Cup. India won their third successive Nehru Cup, defeating Cameroon on penalties.{{cite news|title=India beat Cameroon to win third successive Nehru Cup title|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-win-nehru-cup-beat-cameroon-5-4-on-penalties/1/215762.html|access-date=17 March 2017|work=India Today|date=2 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203223340/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-win-nehru-cup-beat-cameroon-5-4-on-penalties/1/215762.html|archive-date=3 February 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/news/india-rejoices-nehru-cup-treble-1694216|title=India rejoices Nehru Cup treble:FIFA.com|access-date=18 June 2021|archive-date=11 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611042730/https://www.fifa.com/news/india-rejoices-nehru-cup-treble-1694216|url-status=dead}}

In March 2013, India failed to qualify for the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup and thus also failed to qualify for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.{{cite news|title=India Lose To Myanmar in AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers|url=https://sports.ndtv.com/football/india-lose-to-myanmar-in-afc-challenge-cup-qualifiers-1539882|access-date=17 March 2017|work=NDTV Sports|date=7 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112138/https://sports.ndtv.com/football/india-lose-to-myanmar-in-afc-challenge-cup-qualifiers-1539882|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}} The team also failed to retain the SAFF Championship, losing 2–0 to Afghanistan in the 2013 final.{{cite news|last1=Noronha|first1=Anselm|title=Afghanistan are the SAFF Championship 2013 champions, beat India 2-0|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2773/saff-championship/2013/09/11/4253966/afghanistan-are-the-saff-championship-2013-champions-beat|access-date=17 March 2017|work=Goal.com|date=11 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122125312/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2773/saff-championship/2013/09/11/4253966/afghanistan-are-the-saff-championship-2013-champions-beat|archive-date=22 January 2018|url-status=live}} After more bad results in friendlies, Koevermans resigned as head coach in October 2014.{{cite news|title=Indian football team goes down to Palestine; coach Koevermans resigns|url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/report/india-go-down-to-palestine-coach-koevermans-reisgns/20141006.htm|access-date=18 March 2017|work=Rediff|date=7 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112308/http://www.rediff.com/sports/report/india-go-down-to-palestine-coach-koevermans-reisgns/20141006.htm|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}}

By March 2015, after not playing any matches, India reached their lowest FIFA ranking position of 173.{{cite news|title=India slip to 172 in latest FIFA rankings|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/india-slip-to-172-in-latest-fifa-rankings/|access-date=18 March 2017|work=The Indian Express|date=5 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112111/http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/india-slip-to-172-in-latest-fifa-rankings/|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}} A couple months prior, Stephen Constantine was re-hired as the head coach after first leading India more than a decade before.{{cite news|title=Stephen Constantine appointed Indian men's football head coach|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/stephen-constantine-appointed-indian-mens-football-head-coach/|access-date=18 March 2017|work=The Indian Express|date=16 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723032805/http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/stephen-constantine-appointed-indian-mens-football-head-coach/|archive-date=23 July 2017|url-status=live}} Constantine's first major assignment back as the India head coach were the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. After making it through the first round of qualifiers, India crashed out during the second round, losing seven of their eight matches and thus, once again, failed to qualify for the World Cup.{{cite news|last1=Sequiera|first1=Sean|title=2018 World Cup qualification was never possible for India: Stephen Constantine|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/football/2018-world-cup-qualification-was-never-possible-for-india-stephen-constantine/story-NjePzFYIDLqdK755Uhb0pI.html|access-date=18 March 2017|work=Hindustan Times|date=5 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322181822/http://www.hindustantimes.com/football/2018-world-cup-qualification-was-never-possible-for-india-stephen-constantine/story-NjePzFYIDLqdK755Uhb0pI.html|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}}

File:India vs Thailand 2019 AFC Asian Cup GA.jpg at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.]]

Despite failure to qualify for the World Cup, India managed to reach the third round of 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers after defeating Laos in the play-off round on aggregate 7–1.{{cite news|title=India thrashes Laos|url=http://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/India-thrashes-Laos/article14390090.ece|access-date=22 October 2017|work=The Hindu|date=7 June 2016|archive-date=3 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703201605/https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/India-thrashes-Laos/article14390090.ece|url-status=live}} On 11 October 2017, India secured qualification for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup after a 4–1 victory over Macau.{{cite news|title=India qualify for AFC Asian Cup 2019|url=http://www.goal.com/en-in/news/india-afc-asian-cup-2019-qualify/coqv4dai2ho310c6g4l6nrsuq|access-date=22 October 2017|work=Goal.com|date=11 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023173855/http://www.goal.com/en-in/news/india-afc-asian-cup-2019-qualify/coqv4dai2ho310c6g4l6nrsuq|archive-date=23 October 2017|url-status=live}} In 2017, India remained undefeated by drawing two and winning seven games, which helped the team to reach 96 in the FIFA ranking in May, which is its second highest FIFA rank ever.

File:India NT at 2019 AFC Asian Cup.jpg at 2019 AFC Asian Cup.]]

Though defeated at the 2018 SAFF Championship final 1–2 against Maldives in September 2018,{{citation needed|date=March 2025}} India regained the momentum with some friendlies against China, Jordan and Oman as they began the 2019 AFC Asian Cup with a 4–1 victory against Thailand; this was their biggest ever win at the Asia Cup, and their first 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 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 failed to move to knock out stage.{{cite web |author1=Ishfaq Ahmed |author2=Shiddant Aney |author3=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 }} Stephen Constantine immediately resigned from his position as head coach following the failure to progress further in the tournament.{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/afc-asian-cup/1019451/breaking-indian-head-coach-stephen-constantine-resigns-after-afc-asian-cup-exit/|title=Breaking: Indian head coach Stephen Constantine resigns after AFC Asian Cup exit|date=15 January 2019|website=FOX Sports Asia|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115023657/https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/afc-asian-cup/1019451/breaking-indian-head-coach-stephen-constantine-resigns-after-afc-asian-cup-exit/|archive-date=15 January 2019|url-status=live}}

= Igor Štimac era (2019–2024) =

On 15 May 2019, the AIFF announced former Croatian player and coach Igor Štimac as the team's head coach after the departure of Stephen Constantine.{{cite web|title=AIFF appoint's Igor Štimac as men's team head coach|date=15 May 2019|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9674|publisher=AIFF|access-date=15 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122155841/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9674|archive-date=22 November 2019|url-status=dead}} His first major assignment with India was 2022 World Cup qualification, where it began with a 1–2 home loss to Oman.{{cite web |title=Late Oman comeback sinks India |date=5 September 2019|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9899 |publisher=AIFF |access-date=8 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122155347/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9899|archive-date=22 November 2019|url-status=live}} But in the second match they earned a respectable point after managing a goalless draw against the 2019 Asian Champion and 2022 FIFA World Cup host Qatar.{{cite web|title=India holds Asian champion Qatar to goalless draw|date=11 September 2019|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9912|publisher=AIFF|access-date=8 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122155136/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9912|archive-date=22 November 2019|url-status=dead}} However, in the third match, the home leg against Bangladesh saw them managing a disappointing 1−1 draw.{{cite web |title=India, Bangladesh play out a draw out in World Cup qualifier |date=15 October 2019|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9981 |publisher=AIFF |access-date=15 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122154445/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9981|archive-date=22 November 2019|url-status=live}} A similar result was repeated in the away leg against Afghanistan.{{cite news |title=Super sub Doungel helps Blue Tigers earns a point in Dushanbe |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=10027 |access-date=16 November 2019 |publisher=AIFF |date=14 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122154415/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=10027|archive-date=22 November 2019|url-status=live}} In the away leg, India lost yet again to Oman by a solitary goal, thus shortening their hopes to qualify for the next round.{{cite web |title=India go down by a solitary goal in Muscat |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=10041 |publisher=AIFF |access-date=22 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122153530/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=10041|archive-date=22 November 2019|url-status=live}} After several postponements due to COVID-19, the team finally flew to Doha to play their remainder of games. In the return leg against Qatar, India went down to the hosts with a single goal and got knocked out of the World Cup qualification tournament with two games to spare. The team then made a comeback by winning their next match against Bangladesh 2–0, and ended their campaign with a 1–1 draw against Afghanistan. With seven points in total, India finished third on the table behind Qatar and Oman, thus getting eliminated from the World Cup during the second round. However they were qualified into the third round of 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification.{{Cite web|date=2021-06-15|title=India vs Afghanistan Highlights: Blue Tigers bag a point, qualify for 3rd round of 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/india-vs-afghanistan-live-score-streaming-7360158/|access-date=2021-06-15|website=The Indian Express|language=en|archive-date=28 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628193659/https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/india-vs-afghanistan-live-score-streaming-7360158/|url-status=live}}

In the third round of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification, India was drawn in the same group with Afghanistan, Hong Kong and Cambodia. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, India was chosen as the host of the group of the qualifiers while the qualification was reduced into a single round robin format.{{cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/afc-confirms-indias-bid-to-host-afc-asian-cup-china-2023-third-round-qualifiers-in-kolkata#:~:text=NEW%20DELHI%3A%20The%20Asian%20Football,at%20the%20VYBK%20in%20Kolkata.|title=AFC confirms India's bid to host AFC Asian Cup China 2023 third round Qualifiers in Kolkata|access-date=8 October 2022|archive-date=8 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008160316/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/afc-confirms-indias-bid-to-host-afc-asian-cup-china-2023-third-round-qualifiers-in-kolkata#:~:text=NEW%20DELHI%3A%20The%20Asian%20Football,at%20the%20VYBK%20in%20Kolkata.|url-status=live}} Using this home advantage, India was able to top the group with three wins against Cambodia (2–0), Afghanistan (2–1) and Hong Kong (4–0), therefore for the first time, India qualified for two consecutive AFC Asian Cups in history.{{cite web|first=Dhiman|last=Sarkar|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/football/india-get-to-asian-cup-with-a-four-goal-flourish-against-hong-kong-101655228874259.html|title=India get to Asian Cup with a four-goal flourish against Hong Kong|date=14 June 2022 |access-date=18 October 2022|archive-date=21 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921132901/https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/football/india-get-to-asian-cup-with-a-four-goal-flourish-against-hong-kong-101655228874259.html|url-status=live}} In September 2022, India participated for the first time in the VFF Cup where they played two friendly matches, a 1–1 draw against Singapore and a 3–0 defeat by Vietnam, ending their year .{{cite news |title=Highlights India 1-1 Singapore: Ashique, Ikhsan goals keep scores level at FT; Both teams with a point |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football/india-vs-singapore-hung-thinh-tournament-live-score-updates-result-highlights-lineups/article65929625.ece |access-date=19 June 2023|agency=Press Trust of India |work=Sportstar |publisher=The Hindu |date=24 September 2022|archive-date=24 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924154332/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football/india-vs-singapore-hung-thinh-tournament-live-score-updates-result-highlights-lineups/article65929625.ece|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=HIGHLIGHTS: Vietnam beats India 3-0, wins Hung Thinh friendly tournament |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/india-vs-vietnam-live-score-friendly-lineups-updates-hung-thinh-tournament-highlights/article65941659.ece |access-date=19 June 2023 |work=Sportstar |agency=Press Trust of India |publisher=The Hindu |date=27 September 2022|archive-date=29 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329204051/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/india-vs-vietnam-live-score-friendly-lineups-updates-hung-thinh-tournament-highlights/article65941659.ece|url-status=live}} In 2023, India began their campaign by winning the 2023 Tri-Nation Series and the 2023 Intercontinental Cup, both were organized by AIFF. India beat Myanmar 1–0 and Kyrgyzstan 2–0 in the Tri-Nation series, and defeated Lebanon 2–0 in the final of Intercontinental Cup to win the title for the second time.{{cite web |last1=Sagar |first1=Sunaadh |title=Tri-Nations football: India show strength in depth but goals are a worry |url=https://www.espn.in/football/story/_/id/37637568/india-vs-kyrgyz-republic-tri-nations-takeaways-myanmar |website=espn.in |publisher=ESPN (India) |access-date=19 June 2023|date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607183307/https://www.espn.in/football/story/_/id/37637568/india-vs-kyrgyz-republic-tri-nations-takeaways-myanmar|archive-date=7 June 2023 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|last=Rawat|first=Akhil |title=Champions! Chhetri and his knights make it a momentous night for India |date=18 June 2023 |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/champions-chhetri-and-his-knights-make-it-a-momentous-night-for-india |publisher=AIFF |accessdate=18 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230618173241/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/champions-chhetri-and-his-knights-make-it-a-momentous-night-for-india|archive-date=18 June 2023 |url-status=live }} Following the Tri-Nation Series and the Intercontinental Cup, India won the 2023 SAFF championship, their third title in the year 2023 at home soil.{{cite news |last1=Dey |first1=Aneesh |title=Technically and tactically, we're not there yet; we need improvement in all areas: Sunil Chhetri |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/sunil-chhetri-indian-football-team-performance-improvement-saff-championship-win-afc-asian-cup-2024/article67060193.ece |access-date=12 July 2023 |work=Sportstar |publisher=The Hindu|archive-date=9 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709235421/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/sunil-chhetri-indian-football-team-performance-improvement-saff-championship-win-afc-asian-cup-2024/article67060193.ece|url-status=live}} India defeated Pakistan 4–0 and Nepal 2–0 and drawn 1–1 against Kuwait in the group stage.{{cite web |last1=Rawat |first1=Akhil |title=A Diamond is Forever: Super Sunil's hat-trick sinks Pakistan|publisher=AIFF|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/a-diamond-is-forever-super-sunils-hat-trick-sinks-pakistan |access-date=21 June 2023|date=21 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621175231/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/a-diamond-is-forever-super-sunils-hat-trick-sinks-pakistan|archive-date=21 June 2023|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=SAFF Championship 2023 match report: Nepal vs India |url=https://saffederation.org/uploads/64971d8ad1d63.pdf |publisher=SAFF |access-date=27 June 2023|date=24 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624175157/https://saffederation.org/uploads/64971d8ad1d63.pdf|archive-date=24 June 2023|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=SAFF Championship 2023 match report: India vs Kuwait|url=https://saffederation.org/uploads/649b1b22326b6.pdf |publisher=SAFF |access-date=27 June 2023|date=27 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627224534/https://saffederation.org/uploads/649b1b22326b6.pdf|archive-date=27 June 2023|url-status=live}} After defeating Lebanon in penalty shoot-out in the semi–finals, India faced Kuwait again in the tournament for the final. The match was tied 1–1 till the added time and eventually India defeated Kuwait in the penalty shoot-out to lift the SAFF Cup for a record nine times. Sunil Chhetri was the highest goal scorer of the edition with 5 goals, including a hat-trick against Pakistan, his fourth for the national team. With this hat-trick, he scored 92 goals becoming the second-highest international goalscorer from Asia of all time. His tally of 92 put him as the fourth-highest goalscorer in the history of international football.{{cite web |last1=Rawat |first1=Akhil |title=Double, double toil and treble: Blue Tigers bask in SAFF C'ship glory|publisher=AIFF|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/double-double-toil-and-treble-blue-tigers-bask-in-saff-cship-glory |access-date=12 July 2023|date=5 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712113849/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/double-double-toil-and-treble-blue-tigers-bask-in-saff-cship-glory|archive-date=12 July 2023|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Sunil Chhetri becomes fourth-highest goal-scorer in international football |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/sports/football/sunil-chhetri-becomes-fourth-highest-goal-scorer-in-international-football20230621230322/#:~:text=Karnataka%20(Bengaluru)%20%5BIndia%5D,scorer%20in%20international%20football%20history. |access-date=21 June 2023 |work=Asian News International |date=21 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621182322/https://www.aninews.in/news/sports/football/sunil-chhetri-becomes-fourth-highest-goal-scorer-in-international-football20230621230322/|archive-date=21 June 2023|url-status=live}}

File:Sunil_Chhetri_receiving_award_from_Naveen_Patnaik_in_2024.jpg CM Naveen Patnaik handing the 2023 Intercontinental Cup trophy to Sunil Chhetri.]]

Heading to the 2023 AFC Asian Cup tournament, India was the only national team without any friendly match as preparation.{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/football/asian-cup-debacle-aiff-fault-not-players-or-coaches-bhaichung-bhutia-101706629669065.html|title=Asian Cup debacle AIFF's fault, not players or coaches: Bhaichung Bhutia|date=30 January 2024 |access-date=16 February 2024|archive-date=16 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216153226/https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/football/asian-cup-debacle-aiff-fault-not-players-or-coaches-bhaichung-bhutia-101706629669065.html|url-status=live}} India ended up losing all matches in the group stage against Australia (0–2), Uzbekistan (0–3), and Syria (0–1), without scoring any goals.{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/liveblog/2024/1/23/live-syria-vs-india-afc-asian-cup-2023-football|title=Syria vs India 1-0: AFC Asian Cup 2023 football – as it happened|access-date=16 February 2024|archive-date=16 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216152857/https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/liveblog/2024/1/23/live-syria-vs-india-afc-asian-cup-2023-football|url-status=live}}

On the 2026 World Cup qualification India was drawn in group A of the second round with Afghanistan, Kuwait and Qatar. India started its journey topping the group with Qatar after winning against Kuwait 1–0, in which ended up being the only victory of the team in the group.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/11/16/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/kuwait/india/4190899/|title=India 1–0 Kuwait|website=Soccerway|date=16 November 2023|access-date=17 November 2023|archive-date=16 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116202214/https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/11/16/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/kuwait/india/4190899/|url-status=live}} Since then the performances only got downhill, collecting losses against Qatar (0–3 and 1—2) and a shocking loss against Afghanistan 1–2, with the other two results left being draws against Kuwait and Afghanistan, both ending up 0–0. India finished the group placed third behind Qatar and Kuwait and failed to qualify for the next round.{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/fifa-world-cup-qualifier-india-loses-2-1-after-controversial-qatar-goal-drops-out-of-wc-qualification/article68280105.ece|title=India loses 2-1 after controversial Qatar goal drops out of World Cup|newspaper=The Hindu |date=12 June 2024 }}{{cite news|url=https://m.economictimes.com/news/sports/india-play-out-goalless-draw-against-kuwait-in-sunil-chhetris-last-international-match/articleshow/110774507.cms|title=India play out a goalless draw against Kuwait in Sunil Chhetris last international match|newspaper=The Economic Times |date=6 June 2024 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/india-suffer-shock-defeat-against-afghanistan|title=India suffer shock defeat against Afghanistan}}

On 17 June 2024, the AIFF terminated Štimac's contract, thus ending up his career with The Blue Tigers.{{Cite web |last=Nag |first=Utathya |date=17 June 2024 |title=Igor Stimac's tenure as Indian men's football team head coach ends |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/igor-stimac-indian-men-football-team-head-coach-terminated |access-date=19 June 2024 |website=Olympics}}

= Márquez appointment (2024–) =

On 20 July 2024, the AIFF announced that Manolo Márquez would become the head coach of the India national football team while maintaining his duties with FC Goa for the upcoming ISL season.{{Cite news |date=2024-07-20 |title=Manolo Marquez to be head coach of senior Indian men's football team after Igor Stimac |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/manolo-marquez-to-be-head-coach-of-senior-indian-mens-football-team-after-igor-stimac/articleshow/111887461.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-08-07 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}} His first assignment was the 2024 Intercontinental Cup against Mauritius and Syria.{{cite web|title=India To Host Intercontinental Cup 2024 In Hyderabad With New Coach Manolo Marquez |url=https://revealinside.in/india-to-host-intercontinental/ |access-date=2024-08-07 |language=en-US}}

Marquez's first win came on 19 March 2025, following a 3-0 win against Maldives with goals from Rahul Bheke, Liston Colaco, and Sunil Chhetri.{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/football/story/india-vs-maldives-today-football-match-live-score-updates-sunil-chhetri-2695882-2025-03-19|title=India vs Maldives, football Full Time: Chhetri, Bheke Colaco hand hosts 3-0 win}} This win also ended the Blue Tigers' 489-day winless streak.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/football/india-vs-maldives-live-score-ind-vs-mdv-international-friendly-2025-scorecard-updates-from-shillong-liveblog-119212835|title=India vs Maldives International Friendly 2025 Highlights Sunil Chhetri, Rahul Bheke, Liston Colaco Score In 3-0 Win; Blue Giants Secure First Win In 489 Days}}

Team image

= Nicknames =

India is officially known by the nickname The Blue Tigers since 2013. It is inspired by the colour blue which forms the primary colour of the team's home kit, depicting Ashoka Chakra's colour in the national flag (similar to the Indian national teams of other sports) and the tiger which is the national animal of India.{{cite web|url=http://www.topendsports.com/sport/soccer/team-nicknames.htm|title=Football (Soccer) Team Nicknames|website=Topendsports|access-date=5 June 2021|archive-date=13 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813111201/http://www.topendsports.com/sport/soccer/team-nicknames.htm|url-status=live}}

= Kit and colours =

{{See also|History of the India national football team#Kit history|l1=Kit history}}

File:Indian Team.JPG

After four years with Adidas, the AIFF signed an agreement for seven years with American company Nike on 27 February 2006.{{cite news |title=Nike to sponsor Indian football team |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/nike-to-sponsor-indian-football-team/story-yMvyg4nWgfSVx91h9zRcPN.html |access-date=13 December 2018 |work=Hindustan Times |date=27 February 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908092748/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/nike-to-sponsor-indian-football-team/story-yMvyg4nWgfSVx91h9zRcPN.html |archive-date=8 September 2018 |url-status=live }} For the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, in which India were participating, Nike designed India's kit using the same template it used for other national teams such as Brazil.{{cite news |last1=Sengupta |first1=Rahul |title=Indian National Team: Nike India Introduces 2010 National Team Kit For The Indian Football Team |url=https://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2696/indian-national-team/2010/09/06/2105985/indian-national-team-nike-india-introduces-2010-national |access-date=13 December 2018 |work=Goal.com |date=6 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214182458/https://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2696/indian-national-team/2010/09/06/2105985/indian-national-team-nike-india-introduces-2010-national |archive-date=14 December 2018 |url-status=live }} In January 2013. it was announced that the AIFF's deal with Nike was extended for an extra five years.{{cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/nike-unveils-indian-national-football-team-kit|title=Nike unveils Indian national football team kit:AIFF.com|access-date=9 March 2021|archive-date=3 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703201635/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/nike-unveils-indian-national-football-team-kit|url-status=live}} In September 2017, prior to the India U17 side's participation in the FIFA U-17 World Cup, Nike unveiled an all sky blue kit for the India senior and youth teams.{{cite news |title=India's New Football Kit Sets Blue Tigers Up to Create History |url=https://news.nike.com/news/india-football-kit |access-date=13 December 2018 |work=Nike |date=7 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023054617/https://news.nike.com/news/india-football-kit |archive-date=23 October 2018 |url-status=live }} A year later, on 17 December 2018, it was announced that Indian manufacturer SIX5SIX would replace Nike as India's kit maker.{{cite news |last1=Laghate |first1=Gaurav |title=Six5Six to replace Nike as Indian football's kit sponsor |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/six5six-to-replace-nike-as-indian-footballs-kit-sponsor/articleshow/67132557.cms |access-date=20 December 2018 |work=Economic Times |date=17 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220234930/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/six5six-to-replace-nike-as-indian-footballs-kit-sponsor/articleshow/67132557.cms |archive-date=20 December 2018 |url-status=live }} In becoming India's new kit makers, Six5Six also became the first manufacturer to pay for the rights to produce India kits, after both Nike and Adidas didn't pay. Six5Six unveiled their first jerseys for the team before the 2019 AFC Asian Cup,{{cite web |title=NEW YEAR, NEW KIT FOR INDIAN FOOTBALL |url=https://the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9363 |website=the-aiff.com |publisher=AIFF |access-date=19 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220234917/https://the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9363 |archive-date=20 December 2018 |url-status=dead }} from which the home colour had a similar sky blue shade and the away colour was changed to white from orange. Both jerseys had a unique design embellished on the sleeves representing tiger stripes to pay homage to the Indian football fans, who affectionately calls the team "Blue Tigers".{{cite web |title=AFC Asian Cup 2019: India national team kit and price revealed |url=https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/afc-asian-cup/1002013/afc-asian-cup-2019-india-national-team-kit-and-price-revealed/ |website=foxsportsasia.com |publisher=Fox Sports |access-date=19 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220231655/https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/afc-asian-cup/1002013/afc-asian-cup-2019-india-national-team-kit-and-price-revealed/ |archive-date=20 December 2018 |url-status=live }}

= Home stadiums =

{{See also|History of the India national football team#Home stadiums|l1=Home stadiums}}

{{multiple image

| align = right

| direction = horizontal

| image1 = Yuva Bharati Krirangan.png

| width1 = 180

| alt1 = Aerial photo of packed stadium

| image2 = IndiavsSyria Nehru Cup-2007.jpg

| width2 = 180

| alt2 = Stadium interior, photographed from the grandstand

| footer = The Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata (left) and the Ambedkar Stadium in Delhi

| total_width =

| caption1 =

| caption2 =

}}

Numerous venues around India have hosted home matches for the national team. There is no specific home ground for the India national team. India matches have been played at stadiums such as the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi, the Fatorda Stadium in Margao, the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore, the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi, the Mumbai Football Arena in Mumbai, the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal, the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, the EKA Arena in Ahmedabad and now the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong.{{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=AFC delegates inspect Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong for Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers |url=https://khelnow.com/football/indian-football-team-afc-inspect-shillong-asian-cup-2027-qualifiers-202501 |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Khel Now |language=en-us}}

In recent times, competitions like 2011 SAFF Championship and 2012 Nehru Cup were held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi, the 2015 SAFF Championship at Trivandrum International Stadium, 2017 Hero Tri-Nation Series and 2018 Intercontinental Cup at Mumbai Football Arena and 2019 Intercontinental Cup at the EKA Arena. Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Sree Kanteerava Stadium and Fatorda stadium have seen AFC Asian Cup and FIFA World Cup qualifiers.{{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 }}

= Supporters =

File:Blue Pilgrims at Mumbai 2018 to support India national football team.jpg and their own banners at the 2018 Intercontinental Cup]]

Till the 21st century, the Indian football fans were mostly scattered, being widely based in West Bengal, North-East India, Goa and Kerala.{{cite news |title=Can Indian football make it to the top league? |url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/can-indian-football-make-it-to-the-top-league/article24281691.ece |work=The Hindu|date=28 June 2018 |access-date=8 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705163221/https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/can-indian-football-make-it-to-the-top-league/article24281691.ece |archive-date=5 July 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Fifa World Cup 2018: Which Indian state watches football extravaganza the most? |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/fifa-world-cup-2018-which-indian-state-watches-football-extravaganza-most-774128 |work=IB Times|date=6 July 2018 |access-date=13 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114153251/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/fifa-world-cup-2018-which-indian-state-watches-football-extravaganza-most-774128 |archive-date=14 January 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=World Cup 2018: Sorry, Bengalis. You are not India's greatest football fans |url=https://www.dailyo.in/variety/world-cup-2018-russia-the-beautiful-game-begins-bengalis-fighting-football-frenzy-northeast-kerala-goa-mo-salah/story/1/24877.html |publisher=Daily O |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112095016/https://www.dailyo.in/variety/world-cup-2018-russia-the-beautiful-game-begins-bengalis-fighting-football-frenzy-northeast-kerala-goa-mo-salah/story/1/24877.html |archive-date=12 January 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Bend it like Bengal: Every four years, the cup comes home |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/bend-it-like-bengal-every-four-years-the-cup-comes-home/article24358647.ece |work=The Hindu|date=7 July 2018 |access-date=13 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708180110/https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/bend-it-like-bengal-every-four-years-the-cup-comes-home/article24358647.ece |archive-date=8 July 2018 |url-status=live |last1=Rajagopal |first1=Bulbul }}{{cite web |title=Kolkata reinstated as the 'Mecca of Indian football' |url=https://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2292/editorials/2015/06/02/12315232/kolkata-reinstated-as-the-mecca-of-indian-football |website=goal.com |publisher=GOAL |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112145941/https://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2292/editorials/2015/06/02/12315232/kolkata-reinstated-as-the-mecca-of-indian-football |archive-date=12 January 2019 |url-status=live }} Other than matches in Asian Games, Nehru Cup or SAFF Championship,{{cite web |title=India win Nehru Cup for the thrd time |url=http://the-aiff.com/pages/news/index.php?N_Id=3279 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104231557/http://the-aiff.com/pages/news/index.php?N_Id=3279 |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 January 2013 |website=the-aiff.com |publisher=AIFF |access-date=11 January 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Basu |first1=Jaydeep |title=Bhaichung leads dazzling display - Nehru Cup - India demolish Kyrgyzstan 3-0 to make final for first time |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/sports/bhaichung-leads-dazzling-display-nehru-cup-india-demolish-kyrgyzstan-3-0-to-make-final-for-first-time/cid/1071100 |access-date=13 December 2018 |work=Telegraph India |date=27 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214164410/https://www.telegraphindia.com/sport/bhaichung-leads-dazzling-display-nehru-cup-india-demolish-kyrgyzstan-3-0-to-make-final-for-first-time/cid/1071100 |archive-date=14 December 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=SAFF Cup: India beat Afghanistan 2-1 in final to lift title for seventh time |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/saff-cup-india-beat-afghanistan-2-1-in-final-to-lift-title-for-seventh-time/ |access-date=13 December 2018 |work=The Indian Express |date=3 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214164314/https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/saff-cup-india-beat-afghanistan-2-1-in-final-to-lift-title-for-seventh-time/ |archive-date=14 December 2018 |url-status=live }} the crowd showed up in small numbers when the team played as the fans were not organised under any single banner as happens in Europe or South America. Fans of different clubs used to support the team in their respective local venues but were not grouped together to support a single cause, that of the national team, until 2017 when "Blue Pilgrims" was established as the first organised fan club for the national team.{{cite web |title=About Us-Introduction to BluePilgrims |url=https://bluepilgrims.com/ |website=bluepilgrims.com |publisher=Blue Pilgrims |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112194943/https://bluepilgrims.com/ |archive-date=12 January 2019 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=Blue Tigers find support in Blue Pilgrims |date= 2 October 2017|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=8497 |website=the-aiff.com |publisher=AIFF |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112054142/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=8497 |archive-date=12 January 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Blue Pilgrims are delighted to announce further collaborations for the game vs Bangladesh in VYBK |date=22 September 2019 |url=https://twitter.com/BluePilgrims/status/1175701333757714432 |work=Blue Pilgrims |publisher=Twitter |access-date=2 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922092734/https://twitter.com/BluePilgrims/status/1175701333757714432 |archive-date=22 September 2019 |url-status=live }}

The Blue Pilgrims formed with a motive to support the national team and the U-17 team during the historic 2017 U17 World Cup,{{cite web |title=Blue Pilgrims right behind Men in Blues |date=3 June 2018 |url=http://www.asianage.com/sports/football/030618/blue-pilgrims-right-behind-men-in-blues.html |publisher=Asian Age |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112150039/http://www.asianage.com/sports/football/030618/blue-pilgrims-right-behind-men-in-blues.html |archive-date=12 January 2019 |url-status=live }} India's first ever FIFA competition participation. Started with 300 odd fans,{{cite web |title=Blue Pilgrims, the 12th man of Indian football |date=29 November 2017|url=https://www.redbull.com/in-en/indian-footballs-12th-man-the-blue-pilgrims |website=redbull.com |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112150201/https://www.redbull.com/in-en/indian-footballs-12th-man-the-blue-pilgrims |archive-date=12 January 2019 |url-status=live }} now they are in thousands as a unification of fans from different regions with different allegiances came together for just one cause, the Blue Tigers. They call themselves the devotees of the Blue Tigers, and their motto is to support India national football teams of all gender and age, wherever they play and for such dedication they are called as the 12th man of the team.

File:BlueTiger tifo BluePilgrims 2018.jpg displayed by Blue Pilgrims in June 2018]]

The Blue Pilgrims's most common chants are: "Oh India!", "In unity we stand", "Oh India we stand for you!", "Vande Mataram".{{cite web |title=List of Blue Pilgrims chants (with lyrics) Part 1 |date=25 September 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ0k82ORfs0 |work=Indian football Ultras |publisher=YouTube |access-date=2 October 2019 |archive-date=3 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703201813/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ0k82ORfs0 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=List of Blue Pilgrims chants (with lyrics) Part 2 |date=25 September 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ0k82ORfs0 |work=Indian football Ultras |publisher=YouTube |access-date=2 October 2019 |archive-date=3 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703201928/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ0k82ORfs0 |url-status=live }} Their sports anthems are "Oh when the blues go marching in, I wanna be in that number!" and "Ham honge kamyab" (We shall overcome). Since its formation, the Blue Pilgrims use to celebrate after every match with Viking clap with the national team members.{{cite web |title=Watch: Sunil Chhetri leads incredible Viking clap with Indian fans post Thailand AFC Asian Cup win |url=https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/afc-asian-cup/1013411/watch-sunil-chhetri-leads-incredible-viking-clap-with-indian-fans-post-thailand-afc-asian-cup-win/ |publisher=Fox Sports Asia |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112044609/https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/afc-asian-cup/1013411/watch-sunil-chhetri-leads-incredible-viking-clap-with-indian-fans-post-thailand-afc-asian-cup-win/ |archive-date=12 January 2019 |url-status=live }} Fans of the India national team display the country's tricolour National flag and also wear blue jerseys in solidarity with the team. They used to display their banner Blue Pilgrims along with "Inquilab-e-Indian football" (Revolution of Indian football){{cite web |title=Inquilab-e-Indian football |url=https://twitter.com/BluePilgrims/status/916981142229680128 |publisher=Blue Pilgrims |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724060707/https://twitter.com/BluePilgrims/status/916981142229680128 |archive-date=24 July 2019 |url-status=live }} and often shout their common slogan, We love you, wherever you go, we follow!". On 2 June 2018, the then captain Sunil Chhetri posted a video on social media. In his video he urged the fans to come out at Mumbai to support the team after a poor crowd appearance of only 2569 at a match against Chinese Taipei in the 2018 Intercontinental Cup. India achieved a massive victory in that match, winning by 5−0 with Chhetri scoring a hat-trick, but there were very few people present to celebrate.{{cite web |title=Sunil Chhetri's plea to Indian fans marked as Golden Tweet by Twitter India |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/football/story/sunil-chhetri-plea-indian-fans-golden-tweet-twitter-india-1403543-2018-12-06 |website=indiatoday.in |date=6 December 2018 |publisher=India Today |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112095027/https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/football/story/sunil-chhetri-plea-indian-fans-golden-tweet-twitter-india-1403543-2018-12-06 |archive-date=12 January 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Chhetri called and the Indian football fans answered |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/chhetri-called-and-the-indian-football-fans-answered/articleshow/64472445.cms |work= The Economic Times|date=6 June 2018 |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112045807/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/chhetri-called-and-the-indian-football-fans-answered/articleshow/64472445.cms |archive-date=12 January 2019 |url-status=live |last1=Premachandran |first1=Dileep }} Responding to the captain's call, the Blue Pilgrims and football supporters including the fan clubs like Manjappada, West Block Blues and East Bengal Ultras made sure that the stadiums were full during the next few matches.{{cite web|title=After Sunil Chhetri's plea, tickets for India game sold out|date=4 June 2018|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/after-sunil-chhetris-plea-tickets-for-india-game-sold-out/article24079933.ece|work=The Hindu|access-date=11 January 2019|archive-date=3 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703201610/https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/after-sunil-chhetris-plea-tickets-for-india-game-sold-out/article24079933.ece|url-status=live}} In the final of that tournament, the Blue Pilgrims displayed a {{cvt|30|ft|adj=on}} tall 3D tifo of a Blue Tiger, the first ever in the team's history.{{cite web |title=Blue Pilgrims plans 3D tifo display for Chhetri and co. |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/blue-pilgrims-plan-something-huge-for-chhetri-and-co/article24127542.ece|work=The Hindu|date=10 June 2018 |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714034810/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/blue-pilgrims-plan-something-huge-for-chhetri-and-co/article24127542.ece |archive-date=14 July 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=From a handful to plenty |date=12 June 2018 |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/viral-and-trending/120618/from-a-handful-to-plenty.html |publisher=Deccan Chronicles |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112044956/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/viral-and-trending/120618/from-a-handful-to-plenty.html |archive-date=12 January 2019 |url-status=live }}

= Media coverage =

India's competitive international games are covered on television by Star Sports and on its OTT service, Hotstar.{{cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/indias-international-footballing-fixtures-to-be-broadcast-live-on-star-sports|title=India's international footballing fixtures to be broadcast live on Star Sports|publisher=AIFF|date=23 May 2017|access-date=11 June 2021|archive-date=11 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611082436/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/indias-international-footballing-fixtures-to-be-broadcast-live-on-star-sports|url-status=live}} Prior to this deal, the AIFF had struck a ten-year deal with Zee Sports in 2006 to broadcast Indian national team's games on its channel with the initiative of 'Goal 2010' . The aim of this whole exercise was to help India qualify for the 2010 World Cup.{{cite web|url=https://www.bizasialive.com/zee-sports-readies-india-football-team-for-2010/|title=ZEE Sports readies Indian football team for 2010|publisher=Biz Asia Live|date=30 June 2006|access-date=11 June 2021|archive-date=11 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611084737/https://www.bizasialive.com/zee-sports-readies-india-football-team-for-2010/|url-status=live}}

Results and fixtures

{{main|India national football team results|India national football team results (2020–present)}}

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

= 2024 =

{{footballbox collapsible|format = 1

|round = 2026 World Cup qualification

|date = {{Start date|2024|6|6|df=y}}

|time = {{UTZ|19:00|5:30}}

|team1 = {{fb-rt|IND}}

|score = 0–0

|team2 = {{fb|KUW}}

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|stadium = Salt Lake Stadium

|location = Kolkata, India

|attendance = 58,932

|referee = Fu Ming (China)

|report = https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288263/288267/400017171

|result = D

}}

{{footballbox collapsible|format = 1

|round = 2026 World Cup qualification

|date = {{Start date|2024|6|11|df=y}}

|time = {{UTZ|18:45|3}}

|team1 = {{fb-rt|QAT}}

|score = 2–1

|team2 = {{fb|IND}}

|goals1 =

Aymen {{goal|73}}
Al-Rawi {{goal|90}}

|goals2 = Chhangte {{goal|37}}

|stadium = Ahmad bin Ali Stadium

|location = Al Rayyan, Qatar

|attendance = 2,816

|referee = Kim Woosung (South Korea)

|report = https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288263/288267/400017177

|result = L

}}

{{footballbox collapsible|format = 1

|round = 2024 Intercontinental Cup

|date = {{Start date|2024|9|3|df=y}}

|time = 19:30 IST (UTC+05:30)

|team1 = {{fb-rt|IND}}

|score = 0–0

|team2 = {{fb|MRI}}

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|stadium = G. M. C. Balayogi Athletic Stadium

|location = Hyderabad, India

|attendance = 18,976

|referee = Mohamed Javiz (Maldives)

|report = https://www.the-aiff.com/article/manolos-men-held-by-mauritius-in-intercontinental-cup-opener

|result = D

}}

{{footballbox collapsible|format = 1

|round = 2024 Intercontinental Cup

|date = {{Start date|2024|9|9|df=y}}

|time = 19:30 IST (UTC+05:30)

|team1 = {{fb-rt|IND}}

|score = 0–3

|team2 = {{fb|SYR|1980}}

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

Al Aswad {{goal|7}}
Irandust {{goal|76}}
Sabbag {{goal|90+6}}

|stadium = G. M. C. Balayogi Athletic Stadium

|location = Hyderabad, India

|attendance = 19,982

|referee = Nivon Robesh (Sri Lanka)

|report = https://www.the-aiff.com/article/syria-breach-blue-tigers-den-to-take-home-intercontinental-cup

|result = L

}}

{{footballbox collapsible|format = 1

| round = Friendly

| date = {{Start date|2024|10|12|df=y}}

| time = {{UTZ|18:00|7}}

| team1 = {{fb-rt|VIE}}

| score = 1–1

| team2 = {{fb|IND}}

| report = https://globalsportsarchive.com/match/soccer/2024-10-12/vietnam-vs-india/3394112/

| goals1 = Bùi Vĩ Hào {{goal|38}}

| goals2 = Choudhary {{goal|53}}

| stadium = Thiên Trường Stadium

| location = Nam Dinh, Vietnam

| attendance = 8,239

| referee = Choi Hyunjai (South Korea)

| result = D

}}

{{footballbox collapsible| format = 1

| round = Friendly

| date = 18 November 2024

| time = {{UTZ|19:30|5:30}}

| team1 = {{fb-rt|IND}}

| score = 1–1

| team2 = {{fb|MAS}}

| goals1 = Bheke {{goal|39}}

| goals2 = Josué {{goal|19}}

| stadium = G. M. C. Balayogi Athletic Stadium

| location = Hyderabad, India

| attendance = 15,367

| referee = Thoriq Alkatiri (Indonesia)

| report = https://globalsportsarchive.com/match/soccer/2024-11-19/india-vs-malaysia/3533705/

| result = D

}}

= 2025 =

{{footballbox collapsible|format = 1

|date = 19 March 2025

|time = {{UTZ|19:00|5:30}}

|round = Friendly

|score = 3–0

|report = https://www.the-aiff.com/article/sunil-chhetri-slams-his-95th-goal-as-india-outplay-maldives

|team1 = {{fb-rt|IND}}

|goals1 =

Bheke {{goal|34}}
Colaço {{goal|66}}
Chhetri {{goal|76}}

|team2 = {{fb|MDV}}

|goals2 =

|stadium = Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium

|location = Shillong, India

|attendance= 6,798

|referee = Prajwol Chhetri (Nepal)

|result = W

}}

{{footballbox collapsible|format = 1

|date = 25 March 2025

|time = {{UTZ|19:00|5:30}}

|round = 2027 ACQ – 3R

|score = 0–0

|report = https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2025/03/25/asia/asian-cup-qualification/india/bangladesh/4566003/

|team1 = {{fb-rt|IND}}

|goals1 =

|team2 = {{fb|BAN}}

|goals2 =

|stadium = Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium

|location = Shillong, India

|attendance = 14,952

|referee = Hussein Abo Yehia (Lebanon)

|result = D

}}

{{footballbox collapsible|format = 1

| round = Friendly

| date = 4 June 2025

| time = {{UTZ|20:00|7}}

| team1 = {{fb-rt|THA}}

| score =

| team2 = {{fb|IND}}

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| location = Bangkok, Thailand

| stadium = Rajamangala Stadium

| attendance =

| referee =

| report =

| result =

}}

{{footballbox collapsible|format = 1

|date = 10 June 2025

|time =

|round = 2027 ACQ – 3R

|score =

|report =

|team1 = {{fb-rt|HKG}}

|goals1 =

|team2 = {{fb|IND}}

|goals2 =

|stadium = Kai Tak Sports Park

|location = Kowloon, Hong Kong

|referee =

|result =

}}

{{footballbox collapsible|format = 1

|date = 9 October 2025

|time =

|round = 2027 ACQ – 3R

|score =

|report =

|team1 = {{fb-rt|IND}}

|goals1 =

|team2 = {{fb|SGP}}

|goals2 =

|stadium = TBD

|location = India

|referee =

|result =

}}

{{footballbox collapsible|format = 1

|date = 14 October 2025

|time =

|round = 2027 ACQ – 3R

|score =

|report =

|team1 = {{fb-rt|SGP}}

|goals1 =

|team2 = {{fb|IND}}

|goals2 =

|stadium = National Stadium

|location = Kallang, Singapore

|referee =

|result =

}}

{{footballbox collapsible|format = 1

|date = 18 November 2025

|time =

|round = 2027 ACQ – 3R

|score =

|report =

|team1 = {{fb-rt|BAN}}

|goals1 =

|team2 = {{fb|IND}}

|goals2 =

|stadium = Sylhet District Stadium

|location = Sylhet, Bangladesh

|referee =

|result =

}}

= 2026 =

{{footballbox collapsible|format = 1

|date = 31 March 2026

|time =

|round = 2027 ACQ – 3R

|score =

|report =

|team1 = {{fb-rt|IND}}

|goals1 =

|team2 = {{fb|HKG}}

|goals2 =

|stadium =

|location = India

|referee =

|result =

}}

Coaching staff

File:Syed Abdul Rahim, India Football Coach.jpg

File:Iran vs. India - 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, Stephen Constantine.jpg in 2019, one of the most successful foreign coaches for the national team|alt=Portrait of Stephen Constantine wearing goggles.]]

= Coaching history =

Since India's independence, there have been twenty-nine different head coaches for the national team, out of which eleven foreign. The most successful head coach for India was Syed Abdul Rahim, who led India to gold in both the 1951 and 1962 Asian Games while also achieving a fourth-place finish during the 1956 Summer Olympics. The most successful foreign head coaches for India were Bob Houghton and Stephen Constantine; both of them helped the team to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup. With Houghton in charge from 2006 to 2011,{{cite news|last1=Nandi|first1=Dhirtiman|title=Performance of Foreign Coaches in Indian National Football Team|url=http://www.indianfootballnetwork.com/blog/2015/08/23/performance-of-foreign-coaches-in-indian-national-football-team/|accessdate=31 May 2016|work=IndianFootballNetwork|date=23 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623082258/http://www.indianfootballnetwork.com/blog/2015/08/23/performance-of-foreign-coaches-in-indian-national-football-team/|archive-date=23 June 2016|url-status=live}} India won the Nehru Cup twice and the AFC Challenge Cup in 2008, which allowed them to participate in their first AFC Asian Cup for 27 years. Since Houghton resigned as head coach in 2011, the Indian national team's FIFA ranking touched its lowest at 173 in the team history in March 2015,{{cite web |title=How India rose from a historical low |url=https://scroll.in/article/719390/fifa-rankings-how-india-rose-from-a-historical-low-173-to-147-with-one-win-against-nepal |website=scroll.in |date=10 April 2015 |publisher=The Scroll |accessdate=13 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226054412/http://scroll.in/article/719390/fifa-rankings-how-india-rose-from-a-historical-low-173-to-147-with-one-win-against-nepal |archive-date=26 December 2015 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=FIFA ranking: Indian football team up to 96, achieve best position in 21 years |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/football/india-up-to-96-achieve-best-fifa-ranking-in-21-years/story-kQK8Oj8j7A2BgqNYmY06GL.html |website=hindustantimes.com |date=6 July 2017 |publisher=HindustanTimes |accessdate=13 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013211628/https://www.hindustantimes.com/football/india-up-to-96-achieve-best-fifa-ranking-in-21-years/story-kQK8Oj8j7A2BgqNYmY06GL.html |archive-date=13 October 2018 |url-status=live }} but Constantine, who was appointed for the second time as the head coach of India,{{cite news |last1=Roach |first1=Stuart |title=Constantine's rising stock |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3283523.stm |website=bbc.co.uk |date=19 November 2003 |publisher=BBC |accessdate=13 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013172405/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3283523.stm |archive-date=13 October 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Interview with Stephen Constantine |url=https://scroll.in/field/844006/what-you-see-is-what-you-get-interview-with-stephen-constantine |website=scroll.in |date=28 July 2017 |publisher=Scroll |accessdate=13 October 2018 |archive-date=3 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703201638/https://scroll.in/field/844006/what-you-see-is-what-you-get-interview-with-stephen-constantine |url-status=live }} revived the Indian team from its meagre condition. Under him, the team remained unbeaten for two years from June 2016 to March 2018 winning 11 matches and drawn 2 matches,{{cite web |title=Asian Cup Qualifiers: India's 12-match unbeaten streak ends |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/asian-cup-qualifiers-india-s-12-match-unbeaten-streak-ends-118032800250_1.html|work=Business Standard|accessdate=13 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013211605/https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/asian-cup-qualifiers-india-s-12-match-unbeaten-streak-ends-118032800250_1.html |archive-date=13 October 2018 |url-status=live }} which helped them to qualify for 2019 AFC Asian Cup, 8 years since Houghton left.{{cite news |title=India lose 1-2 to Kyrgyzstan, 13-match unbeaten run ends |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/india-lose-1-2-to-kyrgyzstan-13-match-unbeaten-run-ends/articleshow/63492985.cms |newspaper=The Times of India |date=27 March 2018 |publisher=TOI |accessdate=13 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328153858/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/india-lose-1-2-to-kyrgyzstan-13-match-unbeaten-run-ends/articleshow/63492985.cms |archive-date=28 March 2018 |url-status=live }} He also helped the team to reach a better FIFA ranking of 96 in July 2017, which was the best in last 21 years.

= Present coaching staff =

class="wikitable"

! Position !! Name !! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

Head coach

| {{flagicon|ESP}} Manolo Márquez

| {{cite web|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football/manolo-marquez-to-be-next-india-national-football-team-head-coach-latest-news/article68425643.ece|title=Manolo Marquez set to be named Indian football head coach|website=Sportstar|date=20 July 2024}}

rowspan=2|Assistant coaches

| {{flagicon|IND}} Mahesh Gawli

| {{cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/national-team/men/senior|title=About Senior Men Team|access-date=26 September 2022|archive-date=23 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123040727/http://www.the-aiff.com/national-team/men/senior|url-status=live}}

{{flagicon|ARG}} Benito Montalvo

| {{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/manolo-picks-his-trusted-men-for-natl-team-coaching-staff/articleshow/111908755.cms?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=TOIArticleshowicon|title=Manolo picks his trusted men for nat'l team coaching staff|last=Mergulhao|first=Marcus|newspaper=The Times of India |date=21 July 2024}}

Goalkeeping coach

| {{flagicon|ESP}} Marc Gamon

Fitness coach

| {{flagicon|ESP}} Jose Carlos Barroso

Team Director

| {{flagicon|IND}} Subrata Paul

| {{cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/the-aiff-technical-committee-meets-at-football-house|access-date=21 February 2025|title=The AIFF Technical Committee meets at Football House}}

Players

= Current squad =

The following 25 players were called up for the AFC Asian Cup qualification match against {{fb|BAN}} on 25 March 2025.

Caps and goals are correct as of 25 March 2025, after the match against {{fb|BAN}}.

{{nat fs g player|no=1|pos=GK|name=Vishal Kaith|age={{birth date and age|1996|7|22|df=y}}|caps=6|goals=0|club=Mohun Bagan|clubnat=IND}}

{{nat fs g player|no=13|pos=GK|name=Gurmeet Singh|age={{birth date and age|1999|12|03|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=NorthEast United|clubnat=IND}}

{{nat fs g player|no=23|pos=GK|name=Amrinder Singh|age={{birth date and age|1993|5|27|df=y}}|caps=14|goals=0|club=Odisha|clubnat=IND}}

{{nat fs g player|no=2|pos=DF|name=Rahul Bheke||other=Vice-captain||age={{birth date and age|1990|12|06|df=y}}|caps=35|goals=3|club=Bengaluru|clubnat=IND}}

{{nat fs g player|no=3|pos=DF|name=Subhasish Bose|age={{birth date and age|1995|8|18|df=y}}|caps=43|goals=0|club=Mohun Bagan|clubnat=IND}}

{{nat fs g player|no=4|pos=DF|name=Chinglensana Singh|age={{birth date and age|1996|11|23|df=y}}|caps=12|goals=0|club=Bengaluru|clubnat=IND}}

{{nat fs g player|no=5|pos=DF|name=Sandesh Jhingan||other=Captain||age={{birth date and age|1993|7|21|df=y}}|caps=65|goals=5|club=Goa|clubnat=IND}}

{{nat fs g player|no=6|pos=DF|name=Mehtab Singh|age={{birth date and age|1998|5|5|df=y}}|caps=11|goals=0|club=Mumbai City|clubnat=IND}}

{{nat fs g player|no=12|pos=DF|name=Naorem Roshan Singh|age={{birth date and age|1999|2|2|df=y}}|caps=12|goals=0|club=Bengaluru|clubnat=IND}}

{{nat fs g player|no=20|pos=DF|name=Hmingthanmawia Ralte|age={{birth date and age|2000|5|31|df=y}}|caps=2|goals=0|club=Mumbai City|clubnat=IND}}

{{nat fs g player|no=21|pos=DF|name=Boris Singh Thangjam|age={{birth date and age|2000|1|3|df=y}}|caps=2|goals=0|club=Goa|clubnat=IND}}

{{nat fs g player|no=24|pos=DF|name=Abhishek Singh|age={{birth date and age|2005|1|2|df=y}}|caps=1|goals=0|club=Punjab|clubnat=IND}}

{{nat fs g player|no=8|pos=MF|name=Suresh Singh Wangjam|age={{birth date and age|2000|8|7|df=y}}|caps=33|goals=1|club=Bengaluru|clubnat=IND}}

{{nat fs g player|no=14|pos=MF|name=Ayush Chhetri|age={{birth date and age|2003|4|16|df=y}}|caps=2|goals=0|club=Goa|clubnat=IND}}

{{nat fs g player|no=15|pos=MF|name=Udanta Singh|age={{birth date and age|1996|6|14|df=y}}|caps=49|goals=2|club=Goa|clubnat=IND}}

{{nat fs g player|no=17|pos=MF|name=Naorem Mahesh Singh|age={{birth date and age|1999|3|1|df=y}}|caps=23|goals=3|club=East Bengal|clubnat=IND}}

{{nat fs g player|no=18|pos=MF|name=Lalengmawia Ralte|age={{birth date and age|2000|10|17|df=y}}|caps=24|goals=0|club=Mohun Bagan|clubnat=IND}}

{{nat fs g player|no=22|pos=MF|name=Ashique Kuruniyan|age={{birth date and age|1997|6|14|df=y}}|caps=36|goals=2|club=Mohun Bagan|clubnat=IND}}

{{nat fs g player|no=25|pos=MF|name=Jeakson Singh Thounaojam|age={{birth date and age|2001|6|21|df=y}}|caps=25|goals=0|club=East Bengal|clubnat=IND}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=MF|name=Brison Fernandes|age={{birth date and age|2001|4|17|df=y}}|caps=1|goals=0|club=Goa|clubnat=IND}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=MF|name=Macarton Nickson|age={{birth date and age|2004|3|19|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=NorthEast United|clubnat=IND}}

{{nat fs g player|no=7|pos=FW|name=Liston Colaco|age={{birth date and age|1998|11|12|df=y}}|caps=29|goals=1|club=Mohun Bagan|clubnat=IND}}

{{nat fs g player|no=9|pos=FW|name=Farukh Choudhary|age={{birth date and age|1996|11|8|df=y}}|caps=18|goals=2|club=Chennaiyin|clubnat=IND}}

{{Nat fs g player|no=11|pos=FW|name=Sunil Chhetri|age={{birth date and age|1984|8|3|df=y}}|caps=153|goals=95|club=Bengaluru|clubnat=IND}}

{{nat fs g player|no=19|pos=FW|name=Irfan Yadwad|age={{birth date and age|2001|6|19|df=y}}|caps=3|goals=0|club=Chennaiyin|clubnat=IND}}

=Recent callups=

The following footballers were part of national selection in the past twelve months, but are not part of the current squad.

{{nat fs r player|no=1|pos=GK|name=Gurpreet Singh Sandhu|age={{birth date and age|1992|2|3|df=y}}|caps=76|goals=0|club=Bengaluru|clubnat=IND|latest=vs {{fb|MAS}}, November 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|caps=3|pos=DF|name=Ashish Rai|age={{birth date and age|1999|1|27|df=y}}|goals=0|clubnat=IND|club=Mohun Bagan|latest=2027 AFC Qual ^PRE}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Nikhil Poojary|age={{birth date and age|1995|9|3|df=y}}|caps=29|goals=1|club=Bengaluru|clubnat=IND|latest=vs {{fb|VIE}}, October 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=4|pos=DF|name=Anwar Ali|age={{birth date and age|2000|8|28|df=y}}|caps=25|goals=1|club=East Bengal|clubnat=IND|latest=vs {{fb|MAS}}, November 2024 ^INJ}}

{{nat fs r player|no=3|pos=DF|name=Jay Gupta|age={{birth date and age|2001|9|27|df=y}}|caps=3|goals=0|club=Goa|clubnat=IND|latest=vs {{fb|MAS}}, November 2024 ^INJ}}

{{nat fs r player|no=4|pos=DF|name=Lalchungnunga|age={{birth date and age|2000|12|25|df=y}}|caps=1|goals=0|club=East Bengal|clubnat=IND|latest=vs {{fb|KUW}}, June 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=3|pos=DF|name=Narender Gahlot|age={{birth date and age|2001|4|24|df=y}}|caps=4|goals=1|club=Odisha|clubnat=IND|latest=vs {{fb|QAT}}, June 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=10|pos=MF|name=Brandon Fernandes|age={{birth date and age|1994|9|20|df=y}}|caps=30|goals=0|club=Mumbai City|clubnat=IND|latest=vs {{fb|MDV}}, March 2025 ^INJ}}

{{nat fs r player|no=16|pos=MF|name=Jithin M. S.|age={{birth date and age|1998|1|16|df=y}}|caps=1|goals=0|club=NorthEast United|clubnat=IND|latest=vs {{fb|VIE}}, October 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=22|pos=MF|name=Thoiba Singh Moirangthem|age={{birth date and age|2002|12|12|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=Odisha|clubnat=IND|latest=vs {{fb|VIE}}, October 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=7|pos=MF|name=Vibin Mohanan|age={{birth date and age|2003|2|6|df=y}}|caps=1|goals=0|club=Kerala Blasters|clubnat=IND|latest=vs {{fb|VIE}}, October 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=12|pos=MF|name=Lalrinliana Hnamte|age={{birth date and age|2003|4|29|df=y}}|caps=1|goals=0|club=Chennaiyin|clubnat=IND|latest=vs {{fb|VIE}}, October 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=24|pos=MF|name=Lalthathanga Khawlhring|age={{birth date and age|1998|3|30|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=Odisha|clubnat=IND|latest=vs {{fb|SYR}}, September 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=18|pos=MF|name=Sahal Abdul Samad|age={{birth date and age|1997|4|1|df=y}}|caps=39|goals=3|club=Mohun Bagan|clubnat=IND|latest=vs {{fb|SYR}}, September 2024 ^INJ}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=FW|name=Manvir Singh|age={{birth date and age|1995|11|7|df=y}}|caps=48|goals=7|club=Mohun Bagan|clubnat=IND|latest=vs {{fb|MDV}}, March 2025 ^INJ}}

{{nat fs r player|no=17|pos=FW|name=Lallianzuala Chhangte|age={{birth date and age|1997|6|8|df=y}}|caps=42|goals=8|club=Mumbai City|clubnat=IND|latest=2027 AFC Qual ^PRE}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=FW|name=Edmund Lalrindika|age={{birth date and age|1999|4|24|df=y}}|caps=5|goals=0|club=Inter Kashi|clubnat=IND|latest=vs {{fb|VIE}}, October 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=22|pos=FW|name=David Lalhlansanga|age={{birth date and age|2001|11|27|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=East Bengal|clubnat=IND|latest=vs {{fb|QAT}}, June 2024}}

^RET Retired from the national team
^INJ Player injuries
^PRE Preliminary squad / standby
^OTH Player withdrew from squad due to non-injury issue

=Notable players=

{{See also|History of the India national football team#Notable players|l1=Notable players|India national football team records and statistics#Player records|l2=Player records}}

File:Gostha Pal 1998 stamp of India.jpg]]

During the early 20th century, India produced one of the best footballers from Asia at that time, Gostha Pal. Pal began playing professional football at the age of 16 in 1911, becoming India's first captain, and was considered one of the best defenders India had ever produced. He was also the first footballer to be awarded Padma Shree in the year 1962,{{cite web |title=Award winning Indian footballer|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/data/nationalawards.html |website=indianfootball.de|publisher=IndianFootball|access-date=13 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001123849/http://www.indianfootball.de/data/nationalawards.html |archive-date=1 October 2018 |url-status=live}} and in 1998, the Government of India introduced a postal stamp in his honour.{{cite web|url=https://www.kolkatafootball.com/kolkatafootball_indian_legend_footballers_profile.html|title=Gostha Pal-The Great wall of China - Great icon of Kolkata football|access-date=20 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823005519/http://www.kolkatafootball.com/kolkatafootball_indian_legend_footballers_profile.html|archive-date=23 August 2018}} In the later 1930s, players like R. Lumsden, Noor Mohammed, T. Rahim, K. Prosad, A. Nandi under the leadership of Karuna Bhattacharya played for India who scored a total of 56 goals in 17 matches during the 1938 Australia tour out of which 5 matches were against Australia, where Lumsden scored the first international hat-trick for India.{{cite web |title=1938 Indian Tour of Australia |url=http://www.ozfootball.net/museum/index.php/tours/252-1938-indian-tour-of-australia |website=ozfootball.net |publisher=Australian Online Football Museum |access-date=24 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923052751/http://www.ozfootball.net/museum/index.php/tours/252-1938-indian-tour-of-australia |archive-date=23 September 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Stock |first1=Greg |last2=Esamie |first2=Thomas |last3=Punshon |first3=John |title=Socceroo Internationals for 1938 |url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Socceroo/1938A.html |website=ozfootball.net |publisher=OZfootball |access-date=24 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806202225/http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Socceroo/1938A.html |archive-date=6 August 2018 |url-status=live}}

File:Talimeren Ao 2018 stamp of India.jpg]]

India's first captain after the country gained independence was Dr. Talimeren Ao. At a very young age, using footballs made out of rags, Ao gradually improved his skills as a defensive midfielder. He was given the responsibility of leading the team at the 1948 Olympics, India's first major tournament{{cite web |title=Talimenren Ao achievements |url=https://www.kolkatafootball.com/kolkatafootball_indian_legend_footballers_profile.html#tao |website=kolkatafootball.com |publisher=Kolkata Football |access-date=2 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026115539/http://www.kolkatafootball.com/kolkatafootball_indian_legend_footballers_profile.html#tao |archive-date=26 October 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Remembering a Naga doctor-footballer who led India in the 1948 Olympics |url=https://scroll.in/article/698650/remembering-a-naga-doctor-footballer-who-led-india-in-the-1948-olympics |website=scroll.in |date=February 2015 |publisher=The Scroll |access-date=2 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126012736/https://scroll.in/article/698650/remembering-a-naga-doctor-footballer-who-led-india-in-the-1948-olympics |archive-date=26 November 2018 |url-status=live}} and also was the flag bearer of Indian contingents in London.{{cite web |title=Story of a legend – Dr. T. Ao the first Naga Olympian and football genius |url=http://www.thenagarepublic.com/features/story-legend-dr-t-ao-first-naga-olympian-football-genius/ |website=thenagarepublic.com |date=27 January 2018 |publisher=The Naga Republic |access-date=2 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126005616/http://www.thenagarepublic.com/features/story-legend-dr-t-ao-first-naga-olympian-football-genius/ |archive-date=26 November 2018 |url-status=live}} Also during this era, India produced Sailen Manna, one of the country's best defenders.{{cite web |title=AIFF Condoles Sailen Manna's death |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=4143 |website=www.the-aiff.com |publisher=AIFF |access-date=6 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126010705/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=4143 |archive-date=26 November 2018 |url-status=dead }} He was given the India captaincy in 1951 during the Asian Games, led the team to the gold medal, India's first major international honour, and also captained the team during the 1952 Olympics and 1954 Asian Games. In 1953, England Football Association rated Manna among "10 Best Skippers of the World" in its yearbook,{{cite web|title=A natural leader|url=https://www.sportstarlive.com/tss3511/stories/20120315504703100.htm|work=Sports Star|access-date=6 November 2018|archive-date=3 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703201628/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/magazine/a-natural-leader/article29710043.ece|url-status=live}} the Government of India awarded him Padma Shri in 1971 and AIFF honoured him as "AIFF Player-of-the-Millennium" in 2000.

During India's golden era between the 1950s and early 60s, the country produced coveted strikers such as Sheoo Mewalal, Neville D'Souza, Chuni Goswami, Inder Singh and Tulsidas Balaram. Mewalal was India's starting striker during the 1948 Olympics, 1952 Olympics and 1951 Asian games where he ended as the tournament top goalscorer with four goals.{{cite web |title=Legend of Indian football:Sheoo Mewalal |url=http://www.thehardtackle.com/2012/legends-of-indian-football-sheoo-mewalal/ |website=thehardtackle.com |date=27 December 2012 |publisher=The Hard Tackle |access-date=20 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028130451/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2012/legends-of-indian-football-sheoo-mewalal/ |archive-date=28 October 2014 |url-status=live }} Mewalal was the first Indian player to score a hat-trick since the country gained independence when he scored it against Burma during the 1952 Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament.{{cite web |title=India Senior team 1952 Quadrangular Cup |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1952quadrangularcup.html |website=indianfootball.de |publisher=Indian Football |access-date=20 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055657/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1952quadrangularcup.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live }} D'Souza meanwhile became the first Asian player to score a hat-trick at the Olympic Games,{{cite web |title=India Football Hall of Fame, Neville D'Souza |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/data/halloffame/dsouza_neville.html |website=indianfootball.de |publisher=Indian Football |access-date=20 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119131704/http://www.indianfootball.de/data/halloffame/dsouza_neville.html |archive-date=19 January 2017 |url-status=live }} scoring a hat-trick against Australia during the 1956 Olympics.{{cite web |title=Match Report Australia - India |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/melbourne1956/matches/round=197070/match=32404/index.html |website=www.fifa.com |publisher=FIFA |access-date=20 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715235643/https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/melbourne1956/matches/round=197070/match=32404/index.html |archive-date=15 July 2018 |url-status=live }} D'Souza also tied for top goalscorer in that edition of the Olympics, which helped India reach the semi-finals.{{cite web |title=Olympics 1956 Statistics |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/melbourne1956/statistics/index.html |website=www.fifa.com |publisher=FIFA |access-date=20 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126005830/https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/melbourne1956/statistics/index.html |archive-date=26 November 2018 |url-status=dead }} Goswami represented India at the 1958 Asian Games and the 1960 Olympics, and captained the side during the 1962 Asian Games and the 1964 Asian Cup.{{cite web |title=Chuni Goswami: A legend in every sense of the word |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/sports/chuni-goswami-legend-every-sense-indian-football.html |website=theweek.in |publisher=The Week |access-date=22 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126011337/https://www.theweek.in/news/sports/chuni-goswami-legend-every-sense-indian-football.html |archive-date=26 November 2018 |url-status=live }} He was bestowed with Padma Shri by the Government of India and AFC honoured him as "Best Striker of Asia" in 1962.{{cite web |title=Indian Football Legends |url=https://www.kolkatafootball.com/kolkatafootball_indian_legend_footballers_profile.html#chuni |website=kolkatafootball.com |publisher=Kolkata Football |access-date=22 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126175914/http://www.kolkatafootball.com/kolkatafootball_indian_legend_footballers_profile.html#chuni |archive-date=26 November 2018 |url-status=live }}

P. K. Banerjee, a winger who represented India at the 1956 Olympics and later captained the side during the 1960 Olympics, was named as the best "Indian player of the 20th Century".{{cite web |title=IFFHS' Players and Keepers of the Century for many countries |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/iffhs-country-complete.html |website=RSSSF |access-date=12 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626201343/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/iffhs-country-complete.html |archive-date=26 June 2012 |url-status=live }} Peter Thangaraj was the starting goalkeeper for India during the later stage of India's golden era, being named as best "Indian keeper of the 20th Century" by IFFHS. P. K. Banerjee was honoured with Padma Shri by Government of India in 1990, and in 2004 FIFA bestowed him with "FIFA Centennial Order of Merit" Award, the highest honour awarded by FIFA.{{cite web |title=PK Banerjee gets FIFA Centennial Order of Merit awards |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/pk-banerjee-gets-fifa-centennial-order-of-merit/230174 |website=outlookindia.com |publisher=The Outlook India |access-date=12 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912091912/https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/pk-banerjee-gets-fifa-centennial-order-of-merit/230174 |archive-date=12 September 2018 |url-status=live }}

From the 1970s to the 2000s, India saw a decline in their results. Despite the lack of tournament victories, the country managed to produce players like Syed Nayeemuddin who led India to bronze at the 1970 Asian Games.{{cite web |title=1970 Asian Games Bronze Medallist and former India number one Bandya Kakade passes away |url=https://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2012/10/18/3457662/1970-asian-games-bronze-medallist-and-former-india-number |website=goal.com |publisher=Goal |access-date=22 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126050950/https://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2012/10/18/3457662/1970-asian-games-bronze-medallist-and-former-india-number |archive-date=26 November 2018 |url-status=live }} During the 1990s, I. M. Vijayan, India's best player at the time, was capped 72 times for India while scoring 29 goals and captaining the team several times.{{cite web |title=Invalappil Mani Vijayan - Goals in International Matches |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/imvijayan-intlg.html |website=RSSSF |access-date=22 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103633/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/imvijayan-intlg.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live }}

File:Sunil Chhetri (2008 AFC Challenge Cup).jpg celebrating after scoring a goal]]

In 1995, Bhaichung Bhutia debuted for India. With Bhutia, India qualified for the AFC Asian Cup after a drought of 27 years.{{cite web |title=Baichung Bhutia Biography |url=https://www.mapsofindia.com/who-is-who/sports/baichung-bhutia.html |website=www.mapsofindia.com |date=February 2018 |publisher=Maps of India |access-date=25 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126005725/https://www.mapsofindia.com/who-is-who/sports/baichung-bhutia.html |archive-date=26 November 2018 |url-status=live }} He was the captain of the team for over ten years.{{cite news |title=Bhaichung Bhutia-Inspirational leader both on and off the field |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/bhaichung-bhutia-inspirational-leader-both-on-and-off-the-field/article2392770.ece|work=The Hindu|date=27 August 2011|access-date=25 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126005848/https://www.thehindu.com/sport/bhaichung-bhutia-inspirational-leader-both-on-and-off-the-field/article2392770.ece |archive-date=26 November 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Bhutia brings down the curtain on his international career |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/bhutia-brings-down-the-curtain-on-his-international-career/article2393542.ece|work=The Hindu|date=24 August 2011 |access-date=25 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130326101849/http://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/bhutia-brings-down-the-curtain-on-his-international-career/article2393542.ece |archive-date=26 March 2013 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Bhaichung Bhutia Retires From International Football at the Age of 34 |url=https://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2696/indian-national-team/2011/08/24/2633906/bhaichung-bhutia-retires-from-international-football-at-the |website=goal.com |access-date=25 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126051014/https://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2696/indian-national-team/2011/08/24/2633906/bhaichung-bhutia-retires-from-international-football-at-the |archive-date=26 November 2018 |url-status=live }} Considered one of the greatest footballers of India, he is the second-most-capped player of India with 84 caps and scored 27 times for India. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2008 and IFFHS listed him among the legendary players of football in 2016.{{cite web |title=IFFHS ANNOUNCE THE 48 FOOTBALL LEGEND PLAYERS |url=https://iffhs.com/dev/4089/iffhs-has-announced-the-48-football-legend-players/ |website=iffhs.com |publisher=IFFHS |access-date=19 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220002732/https://iffhs.com/dev/4089/iffhs-has-announced-the-48-football-legend-players/ |archive-date=20 February 2019 |url-status=dead }}

Under Bhutia's captaincy Sunil Chhetri debuted for India who is now the only footballer in India's history to have played 100 international matches and is the all-time highest goal-scorer of India.{{cite news |title=Sunil Chhetri 100th Match: Wishes Pour In, From Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag And Many More |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/football/sunil-chhetri-100th-match-wishes-pour-in-from-sachin-tendulkar-virender-sehwag-and-many-more-1862704 |newspaper=Ndtvsports.com |publisher=NDTV |access-date=15 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115182129/https://sports.ndtv.com/football/sunil-chhetri-100th-match-wishes-pour-in-from-sachin-tendulkar-virender-sehwag-and-many-more-1862704 |archive-date=15 January 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Sunil Chhetri Overtakes Lionel Messi With Second-Highest International Goals Among Active Players |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/football/sunil-chhetri-overtakes-lionel-messi-with-second-highest-international-goals-among-active-players-1973464 |newspaper=Ndtvsports.com |publisher=NDTV |access-date=15 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115234141/https://sports.ndtv.com/football/sunil-chhetri-overtakes-lionel-messi-with-second-highest-international-goals-among-active-players-1973464 |archive-date=15 January 2019 |url-status=live }} Chhetri led the national team to many victories, most importantly qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup and under his leadership the team achieved its highest FIFA ranking of 96 after twenty-one years. His goal-scoring ability and skills made him the only Indian striker to score four hat-tricks for India.{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-sports/Chhetri-stars-as-India-wins/article15280546.ece|title=Chhetri stars as India wins|date=14 August 2008|work=The Hindu|access-date=15 July 2018|archive-date=3 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703201623/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-sports/Chhetri-stars-as-India-wins/article15280546.ece|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-sports/Sunil-Chetris-hat-trick-sinks-Vietnam/article15774373.ece|title=Sunil Chetri's hat-trick sinks Vietnam|date=9 October 2010|work=The Hindu|access-date=15 July 2018|archive-date=3 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703201624/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-sports/Sunil-Chetris-hat-trick-sinks-Vietnam/article15774373.ece|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-sports/chhetri-helps-himself-to-a-triple-strike/article24062431.ece|title=Chhetri helps himself to a triple-strike|date=2 June 2018|work=The Hindu|access-date=15 July 2018|archive-date=3 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703201652/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-sports/chhetri-helps-himself-to-a-triple-strike/article24062431.ece|url-status=live}} Sunil Chhetri is now the third-highest international goalscorer among active players, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi,{{cite news|title=Captain Fantastic Chhetri strike seals India's 1–0 win over Kyrgyzstan.|newspaper=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/captain-fantastic-chhetri-strike-seals-india-s-1-0-win-over-kyrgyzstan-117061301402_1.html|publisher=Business Standard|date=13 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021234034/http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/captain-fantastic-chhetri-strike-seals-india-s-1-0-win-over-kyrgyzstan-117061301402_1.html|archive-date=21 October 2017|agency=Press Trust of India}}{{cite web|title=Captain fantastic Sunil Chhetri seals 2018 Intercontinental Cup for India|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/sports/football/100618/sunil-chhetri-indian-football-team-2018-intercontinental-cup-stephen-c.html|publisher=Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited|date=10 June 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180611022644/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/sports/football/100618/sunil-chhetri-indian-football-team-2018-intercontinental-cup-stephen-c.html|archive-date=11 June 2018}} but fourth overall, and is also the most-capped player and the all-time top goalscorer of the India national team.{{cite news|date=3 November 2016|title=Sunil Chhetri: No better place than Doha for Indian football's Asian revival|publisher=Gulf Times|url=http://www.gulf-times.com/story/519789/Sunil-Chhetri-No-better-place-than-Doha-for-Indian|url-status=live|access-date=18 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118170239/http://www.gulf-times.com/story/519789/Sunil-Chhetri-No-better-place-than-Doha-for-Indian|archive-date=18 November 2016}}{{cite news|date=3 November 2016|title=We're upbeat: Sunil|newspaper=The Telegraph|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1161103/jsp/sports/story_117161.jsp#.WC7CPRKKVp0|url-status=dead|access-date=18 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118163907/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1161103/jsp/sports/story_117161.jsp#.WC7CPRKKVp0|archive-date=18 November 2016}}

Competitive record

= FIFA World Cup =

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 themselves 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, but according to some pundits barefoot was a made up story, manufactured by AIFF to stop people asking questions on "why didn't India participate in the 1950 FIFA World Cup?".{{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 }} AIFF did not have confidence in the Indian players then that they would compete in the World Cup against the world's top teams and win.{{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.

class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center;" width="100%" class="wikitable"
colspan=10 style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|FIFA World Cup record !width="1" rowspan=28 style="background:#FFFFFF; color:white"\| !colspan=7 style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|Qualification record
style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="15%\|Year !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="10%\|Round !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="5%\|{{Abbr\|Pld\|Games played}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|{{Abbr\|W\|Won}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="5%\|{{Abbr\|D\|Drawn}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="5%\|{{Abbr\|L\|Lost}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="5%\|{{Abbr\|GF\|Goals for}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="5%\|{{Abbr\|GA\|Goals against}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="5%\|Squad !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="5%\|{{Abbr\|Pos\|Position}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="5%\|{{Abbr\|Pld\|Games played}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="5%\|{{Abbr\|W\|Won}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="5%\|{{Abbr\|D\|Drawn}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="5%\|{{Abbr\|L\|Lost}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="5%\|{{Abbr\|GF\|Goals for}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="5%\|{{Abbr\|GA\|Goals against}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="5%\|{{Abbr\|Ref.\|Reference}}
{{flagicon\|Uruguay}} 1930 to {{flagicon\|France}} 1938 \|colspan=9 {{NA\|Not a FIFA member}} \|colspan=6 {{NA\|Not a FIFA member}}	–
style="background:#FFDACC" \|{{flagicon\|Brazil\|1889}} 1950 \|colspan=9\|Qualified, but withdrew \|colspan=6\|Qualified by default	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/50q.html\|title=World Cup 1950 Qualifying\|access-date=10 December 2021\|archive-date=20 July 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720114854/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/50q.html\|url-status=live}}
{{flagicon\|Switzerland}} 1954 \|colspan=9 {{NA\|Denied by FIFA}} \|colspan=6 {{NA\|Denied by FIFA}}	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/54qual.html\|title=World Cup 1954 qualifications\|access-date=10 December 2021\|archive-date=10 November 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110103712/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/54qual.html\|url-status=live}}
{{flagicon\|Sweden}} 1958 to {{flagicon\|Spain}} 1982 \|colspan=9 {{NA\|Did not enter}} \|colspan=6 {{NA\|Did not enter}}	–
{{flagicon\|Mexico}} 1986 \|colspan=9 {{NA\|Did not qualify}} \|6 \|2 \|3 \|1 \|7 \|6 \|{{cite web\|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/86qual.html\|title=World Cup 1986 qualifictions\|access-date=11 December 2021\|archive-date=10 November 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110103049/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/86qual.html\|url-status=live}}
{{flagicon\|Italy}} 1990 \|colspan=9 {{NA\|Withdrew from qualification}}	colspan=6 {{NA\|Withdrew from qualification}}	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/90qual.html\|title=World Cup 1990 qualifications\|access-date=26 May 2024}}
{{flagicon\|United States}} 1994 \|rowspan=9 colspan=9 {{NA\|Did not qualify}} \|8 \|1 \|1 \|6 \|8 \|22 \|{{cite web\|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/94qual.html\|title=World Cup 1994 qualifications\|access-date=11 December 2021\|archive-date=11 May 2011\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511105448/http://www.rsssf.com/tables/94qual.html\|url-status=live}}
{{flagicon\|France\|1974}} 1998 \|3 \|1 \|1 \|1 \|3 \|7 \|{{cite web\|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/98qual.html\|title=World Cup 1998 qualifications\|access-date=11 December 2021\|archive-date=21 August 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220821065544/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/98qual.html\|url-status=live}}
{{flagicon\|South Korea}} {{flagicon\|Japan}} 2002 \|6 \|3 \|2 \|1 \|11 \|5 \|{{cite web\|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2002q.html\|title=World Cup 2002 qualifications\|access-date=11 December 2021\|archive-date=16 January 2009\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116173331/http://www.rsssf.com/tables/2002q.html\|url-status=live}}
{{flagicon\|Germany}} 2006 \|6 \|1 \|1 \|4 \|2 \|18 \|{{cite web\|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2006q.html\|title=World Cup 2006 Qualifying\|access-date=11 December 2021\|archive-date=20 July 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720114857/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2006q.html\|url-status=live}}
{{flagicon\|South Africa}} 2010 \|2 \|0 \|1 \|1 \|3 \|6 \|{{cite web\|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2010q.html\|title=World Cup 2010 Qualifying\|access-date=11 December 2021\|archive-date=20 July 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720114908/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2010q.html\|url-status=live}}
{{flagicon\|Brazil}} 2014 \|2 \|0 \|1 \|1 \|2 \|5 \|{{cite web\|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2014q.html\|title=World Cup 2014 Qualifying\|access-date=11 December 2021\|archive-date=20 July 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720114900/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2014q.html\|url-status=live}}
{{flagicon\|Russia}} 2018 \|10 \|2 \|1 \|7 \|7 \|18 \|{{cite web\|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2018q.html\|title=World Cup 2018 Qualifying\|access-date=11 December 2021\|archive-date=20 July 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720114904/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2018q.html\|url-status=live}}
{{flagicon\|Qatar}} 2022 \|8 \|1 \|4 \|3 \|6 \|7 \|{{cite web\|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2022q.html#asi\|title=World Cup 2022 Qualifying\|access-date=26 December 2022\|archive-date=26 December 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226094910/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2022q.html#asi\|url-status=live}}
{{flagicon\|Canada}} {{flagicon\|Mexico}} {{flagicon\|USA}} 2026 \|6 \|1 \|2 \|3 \|3 \|7 \|–
{{flagicon\|Morocco}} {{flagicon\|Portugal}} {{flagicon\|Spain}} 2030 \|colspan=9 rowspan=2 {{Pending\|To be determined}} \|colspan=7 rowspan=2 {{Pending\|To be determined}}
{{flagicon\|Saudi Arabia}} 2034
style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|Total !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|— !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|{{Tooltip\|0/10\|Number of tournaments qualified for}} !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|0 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|0 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|0 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|0 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|0 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|0 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|— !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|57 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|12 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|17 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|28 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|52 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|101 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|—

class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center;" width="100%" class="wikitable"

colspan=10 style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"|FIFA World Cup record

!width="1" rowspan=28 style="background:#FFFFFF; color:white"|

!colspan=7 style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"|Qualification record

style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"width="15%|Year

!style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"width="10%|Round

!style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"width="5%|{{Abbr|Pld|Games played}}

!style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"|{{Abbr|W|Won}}

!style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"width="5%|{{Abbr|D|Drawn}}

!style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"width="5%|{{Abbr|L|Lost}}

!style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"width="5%|{{Abbr|GF|Goals for}}

!style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"width="5%|{{Abbr|GA|Goals against}}

!style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"width="5%|Squad

!style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"width="5%|{{Abbr|Pos|Position}}

!style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"width="5%|{{Abbr|Pld|Games played}}

!style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"width="5%|{{Abbr|W|Won}}

!style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"width="5%|{{Abbr|D|Drawn}}

!style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"width="5%|{{Abbr|L|Lost}}

!style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"width="5%|{{Abbr|GF|Goals for}}

!style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"width="5%|{{Abbr|GA|Goals against}}

!style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"width="5%|{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

{{flagicon|Uruguay}} 1930 to {{flagicon|France}} 1938

|colspan=9 {{NA|Not a FIFA member}}

|colspan=6 {{NA|Not a FIFA member}}

–

style="background:#FFDACC"

|{{flagicon|Brazil|1889}} 1950

|colspan=9|Qualified, but withdrew

|colspan=6|Qualified by default

{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/50q.html|title=World Cup 1950 Qualifying|access-date=10 December 2021|archive-date=20 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720114854/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/50q.html|url-status=live}}

{{flagicon|Switzerland}} 1954

|colspan=9 {{NA|Denied by FIFA}}

|colspan=6 {{NA|Denied by FIFA}}

{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/54qual.html|title=World Cup 1954 qualifications|access-date=10 December 2021|archive-date=10 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110103712/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/54qual.html|url-status=live}}

{{flagicon|Sweden}} 1958 to {{flagicon|Spain}} 1982

|colspan=9 {{NA|Did not enter}}

|colspan=6 {{NA|Did not enter}}

–

{{flagicon|Mexico}} 1986

|colspan=9 {{NA|Did not qualify}}

|{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/86qual.html|title=World Cup 1986 qualifictions|access-date=11 December 2021|archive-date=10 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110103049/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/86qual.html|url-status=live}}

{{flagicon|Italy}} 1990

|colspan=9 {{NA|Withdrew from qualification}}

colspan=6 {{NA|Withdrew from qualification}}

{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/90qual.html|title=World Cup 1990 qualifications|access-date=26 May 2024}}

{{flagicon|United States}} 1994

|rowspan=9 colspan=9 {{NA|Did not qualify}}

|22

|{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/94qual.html|title=World Cup 1994 qualifications|access-date=11 December 2021|archive-date=11 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511105448/http://www.rsssf.com/tables/94qual.html|url-status=live}}

{{flagicon|France|1974}} 1998

|{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/98qual.html|title=World Cup 1998 qualifications|access-date=11 December 2021|archive-date=21 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220821065544/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/98qual.html|url-status=live}}

{{flagicon|South Korea}} {{flagicon|Japan}} 2002

|11

|{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2002q.html|title=World Cup 2002 qualifications|access-date=11 December 2021|archive-date=16 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116173331/http://www.rsssf.com/tables/2002q.html|url-status=live}}

{{flagicon|Germany}} 2006

|18

|{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2006q.html|title=World Cup 2006 Qualifying|access-date=11 December 2021|archive-date=20 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720114857/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2006q.html|url-status=live}}

{{flagicon|South Africa}} 2010

|{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2010q.html|title=World Cup 2010 Qualifying|access-date=11 December 2021|archive-date=20 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720114908/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2010q.html|url-status=live}}

{{flagicon|Brazil}} 2014

|{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2014q.html|title=World Cup 2014 Qualifying|access-date=11 December 2021|archive-date=20 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720114900/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2014q.html|url-status=live}}

{{flagicon|Russia}} 2018

|10

|18

|{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2018q.html|title=World Cup 2018 Qualifying|access-date=11 December 2021|archive-date=20 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720114904/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2018q.html|url-status=live}}

{{flagicon|Qatar}} 2022

|{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2022q.html#asi|title=World Cup 2022 Qualifying|access-date=26 December 2022|archive-date=26 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226094910/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2022q.html#asi|url-status=live}}

{{flagicon|Canada}} {{flagicon|Mexico}} {{flagicon|USA}} 2026

|–

{{flagicon|Morocco}} {{flagicon|Portugal}} {{flagicon|Spain}} 2030

|colspan=9 rowspan=2 {{Pending|To be determined}}

|colspan=7 rowspan=2 {{Pending|To be determined}}

{{flagicon|Saudi Arabia}} 2034

style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"|Total

!style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"|—

!style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"|{{Tooltip|0/10|Number of tournaments qualified for}}

!style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"|0

!style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"|—

!style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"|57

!style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"|12

!style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"|17

!style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"|28

!style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"|52

!style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"|101

!style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"|—

= 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.

colspan=10 style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|AFC Asian Cup record !width="1" rowspan=28 style="background:#FFFFFF; color:white"\| !colspan=7 style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|Qualification record
class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center;" width="100%" class="wikitable"
style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}\|Year !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}\|Result !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}\|Position !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}\|{{Abbr\|Pld\|Games played}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}\|{{Abbr\|W\|Won}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}\|{{Abbr\|D\|Draw}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}\|{{Abbr\|L\|Lost}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}\|{{Abbr\|GF\|Goals for}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}\|{{Abbr\|GA\|Goals against}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}\|Squad !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}\|{{Abbr\|Pld\|Games played}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}\|{{Abbr\|W\|Won}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}\|{{Abbr\|D\|Draw}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}\|{{Abbr\|L\|Lost}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}\|{{Abbr\|GF\|Goals for}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}\|{{Abbr\|GA\|Goals against}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}\|{{Abbr\|Ref.\|Reference}}
{{flagicon\|Hong Kong\|1910}} 1956	colspan=9 {{NA\|Did not enter}}	colspan=6 {{NA\|Did not enter}}	–
{{flagicon\|South Korea}} 1960	colspan=9 {{NA\|Did not qualify}}	6	2	0	4	7	9	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/60asch.html\|title=Asian Nations Cup 1960\|access-date=18 October 2022\|archive-date=18 October 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018102508/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/60asch.html\|url-status=live}}
style="background:silver;" \|{{flagicon\|Israel}} 1964	Runners-up	2nd	3	2	0	1	5	3	Squad	colspan=6\|Qualified by default	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/64asch.html\|title=Asian Nations Cup 1964\|access-date=10 December 2021\|archive-date=2 January 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102012632/http://www.rsssf.com/tables/64asch.html\|url-status=live}}
{{flagicon\|Iran\|1964}} 1968	colspan=9 {{NA\|Did not qualify}}	3	0	1	2	2	6	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/68asch.html\|title=Asian Nations Cup 1968\|access-date=18 October 2022\|archive-date=29 November 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129073049/https://rsssf.org/tables/68asch.html\|url-status=live}}
{{flagicon\|Thailand}} 1972	colspan=9 rowspan=3 {{NA\|Did not enter}}	colspan=6 rowspan=3 {{NA\|Did not enter}}	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/72asch.html\|title=Asian Nations Cup 1972\|access-date=26 May 2024}}
{{flagicon\|Iran\|1964}} 1976	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/76asch.html\|title=Asian Nations Cup 1976\|access-date=26 May 2024}}
{{flagicon\|KUW}} 1980	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/80asch.html\|title=Asian Nations Cup 1980\|access-date=26 May 2024}}
{{flagicon\|Singapore}} 1984	Group stage	10th	4	0	1	3	0	7	Squad	4	3	0	1	8	2	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/84asch.html\|title=Asian Nations Cup 1984\|access-date=10 December 2021\|archive-date=5 October 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005150518/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/84asch.html\|url-status=live}}
{{flagicon\|Qatar}} 1988	colspan=9 rowspan=6 {{NA\|Did not qualify}} \|5	0	1	4	0	6	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/88asch.html\|title=Asian Nations Cup 1988\|access-date=30 December 2022\|archive-date=29 November 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129073254/https://rsssf.org/tables/88asch.html\|url-status=live}}
{{flagicon\|JPN}} 1992 \|2	1	0	1	2	3	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/92asch.html\|title=Asian Nations Cup 1992\|access-date=30 December 2022\|archive-date=29 November 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129064520/https://rsssf.org/tables/92asch.html\|url-status=live}}
{{flagicon\|UAE}} 1996 \|2	0	0	2	3	12	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/96asch.html\|title=Asian Nations Cup 1996\|access-date=30 December 2022\|archive-date=29 November 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129085329/https://rsssf.org/tables/96asch.html\|url-status=live}}
{{flagicon\|LIB}} 2000 \|4	1	1	2	8	9	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/00asch.html\|title=Asian Nations Cup 2000\|access-date=30 December 2022\|archive-date=1 April 2015\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150401085957/http://www.rsssf.com/tables/00asch.html\|url-status=live}}
{{flagicon\|CHN}} 2004 \|2	0	1	1	1	3	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/04asch.html\|title=Asian Nations Cup 2004\|access-date=30 December 2022\|archive-date=13 June 2014\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613125728/http://www.rsssf.com/tables/04asch.html\|url-status=live}}
{{flagicon\|IDN}} {{flagicon\|MAS}} {{flagicon\|THA}} {{flagicon\|VIE}} 2007 \|6	0	0	6	2	24	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/07asch.html\|title=Asian Nations Cup 2007\|access-date=30 December 2022\|archive-date=18 December 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218193517/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/07asch.html\|url-status=live}}
{{flagicon\|Qatar}} 2011	Group stage	16th	3	0	0	3	3	13	Squad	colspan=6 rowspan=2\|AFC Challenge Cup	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/11asch.html\|title=Asian Nations Cup 2011\|access-date=10 December 2021\|archive-date=14 October 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014084316/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/11asch.html\|url-status=live}}
{{flagicon\|Australia}} 2015	colspan=9 rowspan=1 {{NA\|Did not qualify}}	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2015asch.html\|title=Asian Nations Cup 2015\|access-date=26 December 2022\|archive-date=29 November 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129075428/https://rsssf.org/tables/2015asch.html\|url-status=live}}
{{flagicon\|United Arab Emirates}} 2019	Group stage	17th	3	1	0	2	4	4	Squad	18	8	2	8	25	24	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2019asch.html\|title=Asian Nations Cup 2019\|access-date=10 December 2021\|archive-date=23 November 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123160525/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2019asch.html\|url-status=live}}
{{flagicon\|Qatar}} 2023	\|Group stage	24th	3	0	0	3	0	6	Squad	11	4	4	3	14	8	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2023asch.html\|title=Asian Nations Cup 2024\|access-date=28 March 2024\|archive-date=28 March 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328013507/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2023asch.html\|url-status=live}}
{{flagicon\|Saudi Arabia}} 2027 \|colspan=9 rowspan=1 {{Pending\|To be determined}}	6	1	2	3	3	7	–
style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|Totals !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|Runners-up !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|2nd !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|16 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|3 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|1 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|12 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|12 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|33 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|— !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|69 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|20 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|13 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|36 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|76 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|113 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|—

= Summer 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.

class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center;" width="100%" class="wikitable"
colspan=10 style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|Summer Olympics record !width="1" rowspan=28 style="background:#FFFFFF; color:white"\| !colspan=7 style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\| Qualification record
style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="15%\|Year !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="10%\|Result !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="5%\|Position !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="5%\|{{Abbr\|Pld\|Games played}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="5%\|{{Abbr\|W\|Won}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="5%\|{{Abbr\|D\|Draw}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="5%\|{{Abbr\|L\|Lost}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="5%\|{{Abbr\|GF\|Goals for}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="5%\|{{Abbr\|GA\|Goals against}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="5%\|Squad !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="5%\|{{Abbr\|Pld\|Games played}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="5%\|{{Abbr\|W\|Won}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="5%\|{{Abbr\|D\|Draw}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="5%\|{{Abbr\|L\|Lost}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="5%\|{{Abbr\|GF\|Goals for}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="5%\|{{Abbr\|GA\|Goals against}} !style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"width="5%\|{{Abbr\|Ref.\|Reference}}
{{flagicon\|GBR}} 1908 to {{flagicon\|GER\|1935}} 1936 \| colspan="9" \|Did not enter \| colspan="6" \|Did not enter \|–
{{flagicon\|GBR}} 1948 \|Round 1 \|11th \|1 \|0 \|0 \|1 \|1 \|2 \|Squad \|colspan=6\|Qualified automatically \|{{cite web\|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/mensolympic/london1948\|title=Olympic Football Tournament London 1948: FIFA.com\|access-date=10 December 2021\|archive-date=10 December 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210090755/https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/mensolympic/london1948\|url-status=live}}
{{flagicon\|FIN}} 1952 \|Preliminaries \|25th \|1 \|0 \|0 \|1 \|1 \|10 \|Squad \|colspan=6\|Qualified automatically \|{{cite web\|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/mensolympic/helsinki1952\|title=Olympic Football Tournament Helsinki 1952: FIFA.com\|access-date=10 December 2021\|archive-date=10 December 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210091406/https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/mensolympic/helsinki1952\|url-status=live}}
style="background:#9acdff;" \|{{flagicon\|AUS}} 1956 \|Semi-finals \|4th \|3 \|1 \|0 \|2 \|5 \|9 \|Squad \|colspan=6\|Bye \|{{cite web\|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/mensolympic/melbourne1956\|title=Olympic Football Tournament Melbourne 1956: FIFA.com\|access-date=10 December 2021\|archive-date=24 June 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624132955/https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/mensolympic/melbourne1956\|url-status=live}}
{{flagicon\|ITA}} 1960 \|Round 1 \|13th \|3 \|0 \|1 \|2 \|3 \|6 \|Squad \|3 \|3 \|0 \|0 \|11 \|4 \|{{cite web\|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/mensolympic/rome1960\|title=Olympic Football Tournament Rome 1960: FIFA.com\|access-date=10 December 2021\|archive-date=10 December 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210092258/https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/mensolympic/rome1960\|url-status=live}}
{{flagicon\|JPN}} 1964 to {{flagicon\|KOR\|1949}} 1988 \| colspan="9" \|Did not qualify \|20 \|6 \|1 \|13 \|34 \|38 \|–
{{flagicon\|ESP}} 1992–present \| colspan="9" \|See India national U-23 team \| colspan="7" \|See India national U-23 team
style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|Totals !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|Semi-finals !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|4th !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|8 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|1 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|1 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|6 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|10 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|27 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|— !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|23 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|9 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|1 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|13 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|45 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|42 !style="background:#046A38; color:white; {{box-shadow border\|a\|#06038D\|2px}}"\|—

class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center;" width="100%" class="wikitable"

colspan=10 style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"|Summer Olympics record

!width="1" rowspan=28 style="background:#FFFFFF; color:white"|

!colspan=7 style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"| Qualification record

style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"width="15%|Year

!style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"width="10%|Result

!style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"width="5%|Position

!style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"width="5%|{{Abbr|Pld|Games played}}

!style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"width="5%|{{Abbr|W|Won}}

!style="background:#FF671F; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#06038D|2px}}"width="5%|{{Abbr|D|Draw}}