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
India Beach soccer Men's
India Esports
Nickname(s)The Blue Tigers
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.