India’s triumph over Kuwait in the thrilling SAFF Football Championship final marks a significant turning point in the growth of the national team. While India has tasted victory in this tournament on multiple occasions, this edition showcased a well-coordinated and disciplined squad led by skipper Sunil Chhetri.
Their seamless teamwork, impressive link-ups, and skilful plays on the flanks left a lasting impression. The team’s stellar performance has ignited a glimmer of hope for even greater achievements in the coming months, including a potential qualification for the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, which now offers Asia eight direct spots instead of the previous four.
AND ONE THING I CAN TELL YOU ABOUT THIS TEAM IS THAT WE’LL FIGHT. NO MATTER WHAT, WE’LL FIGHT. NO MATTER WHERE WE’RE PLAYING, WE’LL FIGHT. AND NO MATTER WHO WE ARE PLAYING WITH, WE’LL FIGHT. WE ALWAYS DO THAT.
Undoubtedly, securing a spot in the World Cup should be the immediate focus for Indian football. The team has taken the first step by clinching the SAFF 2023 title and maintaining their position in Pot 2 for the qualifiers, which means they will face fewer higher-ranked Asian teams. However, further improvements in performance are necessary, and coach Igor Stimac has rightly emphasised the need to prioritise the national team.
| Ranking | Team | Total Points |
| 98 | Belarus | 1212.28 |
| 99 | Mauritania | 1205.18 |
| 100 | India | 1204.90 |
| 101 | Trinidad and Tobago | 1203.28 |
| 102 | Lebanon | 1201.74 |
Building a Sustainable Future
Looking towards the long term, the health of Indian Football relies heavily on grassroots development. This presents a formidable challenge considering the country’s limited football culture, with only a handful of regions like the Northeast, Bengal, Kerala, and Goa showing strong interest. Compounding this issue is the overwhelming popularity of cricket, which tends to overshadow other sports.
The ambitious roadmap includes initiatives such as implementing grassroots programs in villages to reach 35 million children across 100 villages. Achieving these goals will require substantial investments, dedicated personnel, and a wellspring of inspiration.
🏆 Imphal ✅
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 8, 2023
🏆 Bhubaneswar ✅
🏆 Bengaluru ✅
🇮🇳 What a year it's been for the #BlueTigers so far 😍#IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/2y0X39Yehi
Elevating Football’s Reach
In India, the marketing of football remains a significant challenge, despite commendable efforts by the AIFF. However, there is still much ground to cover. To truly elevate the sport’s popularity, I strongly advocate for the use of eye-catching banners during football matches and the promotion of upcoming games and highlights through advertisements.
It’s disheartening to realise that many individuals who aren’t regular followers of football in the country might not even be aware of ongoing matches. In stark contrast, cricket enjoys widespread attention due to the exceptional marketing efforts of its governing board. To bridge this gap, it is essential to enhance the visibility and promotion of football matches across the nation.
Financial Incentives: Fostering Sustainable Growth in Indian Football
Additionally, financial incentives for football remain inadequate. For instance, while the football team received prize money of $50,000 for winning SAFF 2023, the Indian cricket team earned a staggering $800,000 as runners-up in the recent World Test Championship final. Earlier this year, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) unveiled its Vision 2047, envisioning India as a footballing powerhouse.
Furthermore, it’s crucial to address the issue of salaries in Indian football. I’m not suggesting that Indian footballers should earn the same wages as their European counterparts, but it is vital that the remuneration becomes sufficiently attractive, especially for those who face financial constraints. Offering better salaries would not only serve as a powerful motivation for aspiring young players but also bring comfort and reassurance to their parents.
In my opinion, players representing India on the international stage, regardless of the sport, should be rewarded with competitive salaries. This would help instil a sense of pride and value in their contributions to the nation, thereby further motivating them to excel in their respective sports. Creating an environment where athletes are adequately compensated will contribute to the overall growth and success of Indian sports.
Ultimately, the future of Indian football hinges on the ability to turn plans into action and deliver meaningful outcomes.
