As the 2026 FIFA World Cup showcases the rise of several small and relatively impoverished nations, an uncomfortable question confronts Indian football: why does a country of more than a billion plus people continue to struggle even at the Asian level. India, by contrast, has long suffered from inadequate infrastructure, limited football participation in many states, expert coaching and administrative shortcomings. The recently concluded Indian Super League season witnessed noticeably lower attendance at many stadiums, raising concerns about the league's ability to sustain fan interest and grow football's popularity in the country. For decades, states such as West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Goa have been the heartlands of Indian football, consistently producing some of the country's finest players. Their rich football culture, passionate fan base, and strong grassroots traditions have helped sustain the sport even when national results have been disappointing. India's football revival is unlikely to come from population size alone. It will come from nurturing regions where football is already part of the culture and inviting overseas players of Indian origin to be part of the national squad.
