Football in India

Football in India
CountryIndia
Governing bodyAll India Football Federation (AIFF)
(formed in 1937, joined FIFA in 1948)[1]
National team(s)India Men's
India Women's
India U-23 Men's
India U-20 Men's
India U-20 Women's
India U-17 Men's
India U-17 Women's
India Futsal Men's
Futsal Women's
India Beach soccer Men's
India Esports
Nickname(s)The Blue Tigers/Tigresses
First played1800s
National competitions
List
Club competitions
List
International competitions
List
Audience records
Single match131,781
(1997 Federation Cup Semifinal: East Bengal F.C. VS Mohun Bagan A.C. at Salt Lake Stadium)[4]

Association football is one of the most popular sports in India.[5][6] The 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup was 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 record of 1,230,976 from 1985. India also hosted the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup and bid to host the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup.[7]

The Indian national football team qualified for the 1950 FIFA World Cup but did not participate.[8]

  1. ^ Sharma, Mukesh (11 July 2010). "BBC Sport — Football — World Cup 2010: India's football absence examined". BBC News. Archived from the original on 13 January 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  2. ^ Wilson, Bill (10 April 2012). "BBC News — Football looks to score in India". Bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 20 February 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  3. ^ "India skipped FIFA World Cup in 1950". Archived from the original on 6 August 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  4. ^ "Mohun Bagan and East Bengal: A derby to remember". inbedwithmaradona.com. 24 July 2013. Archived from the original on 4 February 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  5. ^ Sharma, Nandini (23 April 2019). "Sports Galore: Uncovering India's Top 20 Most Popular Sports". Kreedon. Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  6. ^ "BBC News — Can India ever learn to love football?". BBC News. Bbc.co.uk. 14 February 2014. Archived from the original on 16 February 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  7. ^ "FIFA Council decides on key steps for the future of international competitions". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 16 March 2018. Archived from the original on 17 March 2018.
  8. ^ Choudhury, Chandrahas (11 June 2014). "Blame India's World Cup Drought on the Shoes". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 6 April 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2016.