Association football is one of the four most-popular sports in India, the others being Cricket, Kabaddi and Field hockey.[5] The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) recognises the Indian Super League as the national football league of India.[6] The Santosh Trophy is a knock-out competition among Indian states and government institutions.
India hosted the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, the first FIFA event the country hosted; it was called the most successful FIFA U-17 World Cup ever, with a record-breaking attendance of 1,347,133, exceeding China's previous record of 1,230,976 in 1985. India also hosted the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup and bid to host the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup but lost to Poland.[7]
The Indian national football team qualified for the 1950 FIFA World Cup but did not participate.[8]