Football

Overview

Origin

19th century England

Category

Team

Olympic discipline

Yes

Paralympic discipline

No

Central pathway

Olympic (TOPS eligible)

Athlete profiles on SportSupport

807

Governance and status

Each field below is shown only where we hold a source for it; anything else reads “Not currently verified” rather than a guess. Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports recognition is granted year by year, so it is only ever shown with the year it applies to. Last reviewed: September 2026.

Indian governing/organising body

AIFF

Ministry recognition

All India Football Federation — Annual recognition renewed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports — as at 2026Source: Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports — List of recognised National Sports Federations

International federation

Not currently verified

Khelo India inclusion

On the official Khelo India Games discipline list as "Football"Source: Sports Authority of India / Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports — Discipline wise Participation in all editions of Khelo India Games (19th Edition) (2026-08-29)

TOPS eligibility

In scope — TOPS covers Olympic medal prospects

Olympic status

On the Olympic programme

Paralympic status

Not a Paralympic discipline

Indian Achievements

Hand-reviewed Olympic, Paralympic, World, Asian and Commonwealth milestones for India in football, compiled from the sources listed on this page. Last reviewed: September 2026.

• AFC Asian Cup — India were fourth in 1964; runners-up-of-the-group runs in 2011, 2019, 2023.
• Asian Games gold: 1951 (New Delhi) and 1962 (Jakarta) — the golden era under coach Syed Abdul Rahim.
• 1956 Melbourne Olympics — India finished fourth (best-ever Olympic performance).
• SAFF Championship — India are the most successful team with 9 titles (latest: 2023).
• AFC Challenge Cup winners 2008, which qualified India for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup after 27 years.
• Sunil Chhetri — India's all-time leading scorer with 95 goals in 157 international appearances.

Famous Indian Players

Landmark football names from India, past and present.

• Sunil Chhetri
  All-time top scorer for India; AIFF Player of the Year (7 times).
• Bhaichung Bhutia
  Former India captain; first Indian to play in the English professional league.
• IM Vijayan
  Three-time AIFF Player of the Year; 1999 SAFF Cup top scorer.
• Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
  First Indian to play in the UEFA Europa League (Stabæk, 2016).
• Sandesh Jhingan
  India captain and AFC Asian Cup 2019 centre-back.
• Bala Devi
  First Indian woman to sign a professional contract in Europe (Rangers FC).

Notable Coaches

Head coaches and mentors behind India's leading football results.

• Manolo Márquez
  Head coach of the Indian men's national team (from 2024).
• Igor Štimac
  Former head coach; led India to the 2023 SAFF Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup.
• Syed Abdul Rahim
  Coached India through the golden era — 1951 & 1962 Asian Games gold, 1956 Olympics fourth place.
• Stephen Constantine
  Two-time India head coach; guided qualification for AFC Asian Cup 2019.
• Langam Chaoba Devi
  India women's head coach (SAFF Women's Championship winner).

Scholarships & Funding

Central, state and private scholarships available for football athletes in India.

• AIFF-FIFA Talent Academy (Bhubaneswar)

  Full-time residential U-13/U-15 boys' programme jointly run by AIFF and FIFA.

• Reliance Foundation Young Champs

  Full-scholarship residential academy at Navi Mumbai for U-13 to U-19 boys.

• Odisha Sports & Youth Services Football Talent Search

  State-run football scholarships with stipend and boarding.

• Khelo India Talent Identification & Development (KITID)

  Monthly stipend (₹10,000 for selected Khelo India athletes), boarding, coaching and kit at accredited centres for talent identified through the Khelo India selection process (Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports). Applies only to disciplines on the official Khelo India Games list, and only to athletes it selects.

• Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS)

  Central government scheme covering training, foreign exposure, equipment and an out-of-pocket allowance (up to ₹50,000/month) for athletes inducted by the Mission Olympic Cell. TOPS covers a Core Group and a Development Group of disciplines rather than every Olympic sport, and induction is decided athlete by athlete; we hold no current list confirming whether football is among the covered disciplines.

• Gurpreet Singh SandhuPunjab

  First Indian goalkeeper to appear in a UEFA Europa League qualifier.

• Manisha KalyanPunjab

  First Indian to play in the UEFA Women's Champions League.

• Sahal Abdul SamadKerala

  Attacking midfielder who has played in the Indian Super League for Kerala Blasters and Mohun Bagan.

• Sandesh JhinganPunjab

  Centre-back who has played for India and won Indian Super League titles.

• Sunil ChhetriTelangana

  Forward, born in Secunderabad (now Telangana). India's leading international goalscorer.

• Abdul HakkuKerala

  Abdul Hakku Nediyodath (born 6 October 1994), also known as Hakku, is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a defender for the Super League Kerala club Malappuram.

• Abdul Majeed KakrooIndia

  Abdul Majeed Kakroo is a retired Indian footballer from Kashmir who played as a striker and he represented India at the 1984 Asian Cup. He became the first player from Kashmir to captain India when he captained the team during the 1987 Nehru Cup. He played for both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal during his club career.

• Abhijit DasWest Bengal

  Abhijit Das (born 10 July 1987) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Bhawanipore in the Calcutta Football League.

• Abhijit MondalWest Bengal

  Abhijit Mondal (born 1 February 1978) is a former Indian professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper, currently acting as the goalkeeping coach of Inter Kashi.

• Abhinas RuidasWest Bengal

  Abinas Ruidas is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a left winger for Madan Maharaj.

• Abhishek AmbekarIndia

  Abhishek Ambekar (born 11 August 1991) is an Indian footballer who plays as a defender for Indian Super League club Jamshedpur.

• Abhishek DasWest Bengal

  Abhishek Das (Bengali: অভিষেক দাস; born 15 November 1993) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a right back.

• Abhishek HalderWest Bengal

  Abhishek Halder (Bengali: অভিষেক হালদার; born 5 October 1999) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for the Super League Kerala club Forca Kochi.

• Abhishek SuryavanshiIndia

  Abhishek Dhananjay Suryavanshi (born 12 March 2001) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Indian Super League club Mohun Bagan SG.

• Abhishek YadavUttar Pradesh

  Abhishek Yadav (born 10 June 1980) is an Indian football administrator and former professional footballer. During his playing career, he played for the clubs Rashtriya C&F Mumbai, Mahindra United, Churchill Brothers, Mumbai and Mumbai City. After retiring as a player, Yadav became the Deputy General Secretary of the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

• Abhra MondalWest Bengal

  Abhra Mondal (Bengali: অভ্র মন্ডল; born 14 July 1986) is an Indian goalkeeper coach and former footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

• Abneet BhartiIndia

  Abneet Bharti (born 14 July 1998) is a Nepalese professional footballer who last plays as a centre-back for División Profesional club Academia del Balompié Boliviano.

• Adib KenkreGoa

  Kenkre Football Club is an Indian professional football club based in the city of Mumbai, Maharashtra. Founded in 2000, the club currently competes in the MFA Elite Division of Mumbai Football League. Nicknamed "Mumbaikars", they previously participated in the I-League, then highest division of the Indian football league system, as well as the I-League 2, and the I-League 3.

• Adil KhanGoa
  Defender

  Adil Ahmad Khan (born 7 July 1988) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a defender or defensive midfielder for Kannur Warriors FC and the India national team.

• Aditi ChauhanDelhi
  Goalkeeper

  Aditi Chauhan (born 20 November 1992) is an Indian former footballer who played as a goalkeeper. She represented the Indian national football team.

• Ahmed Mohamed KhanKarnataka

  Ahmed Mohammed Khan (24 December 1926 – 27 August 2017) was an Indian footballer who played as a forward. He participated in the 1948 and 1952 Summer Olympics. He was also vice-captain of India from 1949 to 1954.

• Aibanbha DohlingMeghalaya

  Aibanbha Kupar Dohling (born 23 March 1996) commonly known as Aiban, is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Indian Super League club Kerala Blasters.

• Aiborlang KhongjeeIndia

  Aiborlang Khongjee (born 1987) is an Indian former professional footballer who played as a defender. He had also represented the India national team.

• Aimol ReamsochungManipur

  Aimol Chongompipa Reamsochung (born 14 February 2000), commonly known by his nickname Remi, is an Indian footballer who plays as a defender for NEROCA in the I-League.

• Ajay SinghPunjab

  Ajay Singh (born 28 March 1989) is an Indian professional footballer who plays for Delhi FC.

• Ajith KumarIndia

  Ajith Kumar Kamraj (born 13 November 1996) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Diamond Harbour.

• Akash MishraUttar Pradesh
  Defender

  Akash Mishra (Hindi: आकाश मिश्रा; born 27 November 2001) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Indian Super League club Mumbai City and the India national team. He won the 2022–23 AIFF Emerging Player of the Year award.

• Akashdeep Singh KahlonPunjab

  Akashdeep Singh Kahlon (born 26 July 1993) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Indian Football League club Namdhari.

• Akshay DasOdisha
• Akshay MallIndia

  Akshay Vilmal Kumar Mall (born 30 September 1992) is an Indian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Air India FC in the I-League.

• Alber GonsalvesIndia

  Alber Gonsalves is an Indian professional footballer.

• Albert ZohmingmawiaMizoram

  Albert Zohmingmawia (born 9 January 1991) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Aizawl in the I-League.

• Albino GomesGoa
  Goalkeeper

  Albino Giovanni Gomes (born 7 February 1994) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Indian Super League club Jamshedpur and the India national team.

• Alen DeoryAssam

  Alen Deory (born 12 January 1996) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a forward for United in the I-League 2 and the India national team.

• Alesh SawantIndia

  Alesh Sawant (born 27 November 1994) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Churchill Brothers S.C. in the I-League.

• Alex AmbroseMaharashtra

  Alex Mario Ambrose (born 8 September 1982) is a former Indian professional football player, manager and a pedophile who has been charged for sexual misconduct with a minor player.

• Alf QuantrillPunjab

  Alfred Edward Quantrill (22 January 1897 – 19 April 1968) was an English footballer. Born in Rawalpindi, Punjab, British India where his father was based on military service, he played on either wing and appeared four times for the England national team. Quantrill played non-league football for Boston Swifts until being signed by Derby County in 1914.

• Allan DiasMaharashtra

  Allan Dias (born 17 December 1986 in Mumbai, Maharashtra) is an Indian footballer who currently plays for MYJ-GMSC in the I-league 3 as a midfielder.

• Alochana SenapatiOdisha

  Alochana Senapati (born 13 June 1989) is an Indian former footballer who played as a defender.

• Aloke MukherjeeIndia

  Aloke Mukherjee is an Indian former international football left back. He was active as a footballer from 1978 to 1997. He was named in the All Time best Eleven Indian Team by footballer and coach PK.

• Alvito D'CunhaGoa

  Alvito Ronaldo Correia D'Cunha (born 12 July 1978, in Sanvordem) is a retired Indian football player. He was a former member of the India national team and represented India in the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He spent most of his club career in East Bengal.

• Alvito RodriguesGoa

  Alvito Rodrigues (born 2 July 1982) is an Indian footballer who plays for Salgaocar S.C. as a midfielder in I-League.

• Alwyn GeorgeMaharashtra

  Alwyn George is an Indian footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for NorthEast United in the Indian Super League.

• Amal DuttaWest Bengal

  Amal Dutta (Bengali: অমল দত্ত; 4 May 1930 – 10 July 2016) was a former Indian footballer, coach and football manager. Born in Calcutta, then Bengal Presidency, he is considered as the first professional football coach in the country. A finest thinker of the sport, Dutta had a rivalry with Pradip Kumar Banerjee during his coaching days in Kolkata club football.

• Amandeep SinghIndia

  Amandeep Singh (born 8 March 1988) is an Indian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Punjab FC in the I-League.

• Amar Bahadur GurungUttarakhand

  Amar Bahadur Gurung was a former Indian association football player who was part of the squad that secured the bronze medal at the 1970 Asian Games hosted at Bangkok. He scored the winning goal against Japan which secured the medal.

• Amiya DebIndia

  Amiya Kumar Deb (Bengali: অমিয় কুমার দেব; 16 November 1917 – 10 January 1983) was an Indian sportsman active in the 1930s and 1940s who played association football, cricket and field hockey.

• Amoolya VenkateshKarnataka

  Amoolya Kamal (born 11 July 1984) is an Indian football coach and former footballer who played as a midfielder.

Rules

Two teams of 11 (including a goalkeeper) try to score by getting the ball into the opponent's goal, using any part of the body except hands and arms (goalkeepers excepted within their penalty area). Matches run 90 minutes across two 45-minute halves. Offside, fouls, and misconduct are enforced by a referee; yellow/red cards sanction serious infringements.

Authoritative rulebook: AIFF. Age-group and school-level variations are published by SGFI and the state associations each season.

Positions

Typical roles across team sports. These are category-level descriptions, not a sourced football squad list.

• Attackers / forwards
  Primary scorers who operate closest to the opposition goal or scoring zone.
• Midfielders / all-rounders
  Link play between defence and attack; usually the highest work-rate positions.
• Defenders
  Deny the opposition space and possession in the defensive third.
• Goalkeeper / last line
  Specialist stopper with distinct kit and rules; the final line of defence.
• Captain & vice-captain
  On-field leadership, decision-making and communication with match officials.

Equipment

Standard kit and infrastructure required to train and compete in football at a federation-recognised event.

• Football (size 5 for senior play)
• Goalposts and nets
• Shin guards
• Studded football boots

Governing/organising body

Major Indian Events

Domestic competitions we hold a source for in football.

• Indian Super League (ISL)

  Top tier of Indian football since 2019 (previously franchise-only); AFC Champions League Two qualification.

• I-League

  Second tier from 2024 with promotion to the ISL.

• Super Cup

  AIFF's national cup competition contested by ISL and I-League clubs.

• Durand Cup

  Asia's oldest football tournament (since 1888); Indian Armed Forces trophy.

• Santosh Trophy

  AIFF's inter-state championship (since 1941).

• Indian Women's League (IWL)

  Top-tier women's football league; AFC Women's Champions League qualifier.

• Reliance Foundation Development League

  U-21 developmental league for ISL/I-League reserves.

International Events

Continental and world-level competitions we hold a source for in football.

• FIFA World Cup

  Men's and Women's world championships every four years.

• AFC Asian Cup

  Continental championship — India qualified in 1964, 1984, 2011, 2019, 2023.

• SAFF Championship

  South Asian Football Federation championship — India's dominant regional event.

• AFC Women's Asian Cup

  India hosted the 2022 edition.

• AFC Champions League Elite / Two

  Continental club competitions with ISL entries.

Leagues

Franchise and professional leagues catalogued for football. Full season data, champions and schedule filters are available in the sidebar.

• Domestic · Since 2014
  Indian Super League

  Top tier of Indian football, merged with the I-League pyramid.

• Domestic · Since 2007
  I-League

  Second tier of Indian football with promotion to the Indian Super League.

• Domestic · Since 1888
  Durand Cup

  Asia's oldest football tournament, contested by Indian clubs and services teams.

• Domestic · Since 2018
  Indian Super Cup

  AIFF's premier domestic cup, the qualifier route to the AFC continental competitions.

• International · Since 1992
  Premier League

  Top tier of English football and the world's most-watched domestic league.

• International · Since 1929
  La Liga

  Spain's top division, home to Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético.

• International · Since 1898
  Serie A

  Italy's top football division.

• International · Since 1963
  Bundesliga

  Germany's top football league.

International Players

Globally recognised football athletes to know outside India.

• Brazil
  Most FIFA World Cup titles (5): 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002.
• Germany
  4 FIFA World Cup titles: 1954, 1974, 1990, 2014.
• Italy
  4 FIFA World Cup titles: 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006.
• Argentina
  3 FIFA World Cup titles: 1978, 1986, 2022.
• USA (Women)
  4 FIFA Women's World Cups: 1991, 1999, 2015, 2019.

Career Options

Ways to build a career in football — on the field, on the sidelines and behind the scenes.

• Professional footballer — ISL, I-League, women's IWL, overseas clubs
• AIFF/AFC-licensed coach (D → C → B → A → Pro License)
• AIFF-certified referee / assistant referee / VAR official
• Sports science staff at clubs — physiotherapy, S&C, performance analyst
• Football journalism, broadcast production and content creation
• Sports quota jobs in Railways, ONGC, Air India and state services

• Tata Football AcademyNational
  Jamshedpur, Jharkhand · Since 1987

  India's first residential football academy; alumni anchor the national team.

• SAI Eastern Centre, KolkataElite
  Kolkata, West Bengal · Since 1976

  Regional Olympic pipeline for eastern India across archery, athletics, gymnastics, women's hockey and table tennis.

• SAI North-East Regional Centre, ImphalNational
  Imphal, Manipur · Since 1985

  Northeast's premier residential centre, running nine NCOE disciplines from archery and cycling to wushu and weightlifting.

• SAI Lakshmibai National College of PE, ThiruvananthapuramNational
  Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala · Since 1965

  Sport-science college and NCOE centre for southern India across athletics, cycling, fencing, taekwondo and volleyball.

• Reliance Foundation Young ChampsElite
  Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra · Since 2015

  Residential football pipeline targeting AIFF and AFC age-group teams.

• Bengaluru FC AcademyElite
  Bengaluru, Karnataka · Since 2014

  AIFF Elite Academy attached to the ISL club — youngest pro signings in Indian football.

• Mohun Bagan SG Football AcademyNational
  Kolkata, West Bengal · Since 2017

  Youth development arm of the I-League and ISL giants.

• Minerva Punjab Football AcademyNational
  Mohali, Punjab · Since 2014

  Punjab academy that supplied core of India's U-17 World Cup squad.

• Kerala Blasters Youth AcademyState
  Kochi, Kerala · Since 2015

  ISL club's residential youth setup with district scouting network.

• Kalinga Institute of SportsElite
  Bhubaneswar, Odisha · Since 2010

  Multi-sport elite complex hosting international hockey, athletics and football.

• Sports Academy of SikkimState
  Gangtok, Sikkim

  State government football academy at Paljor Stadium, Gangtok.

• Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools — BengaluruGrassroots
  Bengaluru, Karnataka

  Non-residential BBFS grassroots centres across three Bengaluru locations.

Central and state schemes that fund training, stipends and awards for football athletes and academies.

• Department of Sports, Uttar Pradesh
  Uttar Pradesh State Sports Hostels Admission

  Residential academies providing free boarding, lodging, and professional coaching to selected youngsters.

• Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, Karnataka
  DYES Sports Hostels

  Residential academies providing free boarding, lodging, and professional coaching to selected youngsters.

• Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports / NSNIS Patiala
  NSNIS Master’s Degree in Sports Coaching

  A two-year postgraduate program affiliated with a university to provide advanced research and technical expertise in coaching.

• Mizoram State Sports Council
  Mizoram State Sports Council Scholarship

  Financial assistance provided to students for excellence in sports while pursuing education.

• Government of Maharashtra (Sports and Youth Services)
  Maharashtra 5% Reservation for Meritorious Sportspersons (revised policy, 2026)

  On 8 September 2026 the Maharashtra Cabinet approved a revised policy for the 5 per cent parallel reservation for meritorious sportspersons in direct recruitment in state government and semi-government bodies. Sports included in at least three consecutive Summer Olympic Games after 2005 qualify, and Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Chess, Mallakhamb and Cricket have been added as regional sports. Under the revised policy, sports certificates must be verified through a digital Sports E-Certificate system within three months, and earlier government resolutions on the quota were rescinded.

• Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), a Government of India enterprise under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
  ONGC Sports Scholarship Scheme

  Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), a Government of India enterprise, gives monthly scholarships to economically weaker young sportspersons who have the potential to excel in sport, in games including badminton, boxing, wrestling, kabaddi, chess, athletics and para sports. This is a public-sector company scheme, not a government department scheme. A scholarship is awarded for one year and can be extended up to two years based on annual performance. The number of scholarships is fixed game by game; for the 2025-26 round, for example, badminton had 6 (3 for men and 3 for women) and kabaddi had 20.

• NHPC Limited (a Government of India enterprise under the Ministry of Power)
  NHPC Sports Scholarship Scheme for Upcoming Sportspersons

  NHPC Limited, a Government of India enterprise, offers a sports scholarship to promising young players aged 14 to 19 years (14 to 24 years for para sports) in 16 games, to encourage their talent and build a talent pool during their formative years of education. This is a public-sector company scheme, not a government department scheme. Up to 32 scholarships are provided, two in each game, in two categories, Elite Scholar and Scholar, for a period of three years.

• Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
  Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG)

  A flagship annual multi-disciplinary grassroots event held to identify and nurture young sporting talent at the school and college level across India.

FAQs

Common questions about football in India.

• Football

  Tactical Evolution in the ISL: The Shift Toward Possession-Based Play

  Technical analysis of how Indian Super League clubs are transitioning from counter-attacking styles to structured positional play and high-pressing systems.

• Football

  I-League and ISL Promotion Pathway: Navigating the Financial Divide

  The introduction of promotion and relegation between the I-League and ISL presents new logistical and financial hurdles for India's historic football clubs.

• Football

  The AIFF New Roadmap: Reintegrating the I-League into the National Pyramid

  Recent policy shifts by the All India Football Federation aim to revitalize the I-League as a primary developmental hub while strengthening youth academy mandates.

• Football

  India vs Brazil: Historic Friendly at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium, Match Preview, Kick-off Time and Where to Watch

  Brazil play India for the first time at senior men's level tonight in Kolkata. Here is everything you need to know.

Football in every state & UT

Dedicated pages for Football in each Indian state and Union Territory — academies, schemes, athletes and how to start.

• Football in Andhra Pradesh
• Football in Arunachal Pradesh
• Football in Assam
• Football in Bihar
• Football in Chhattisgarh
• Football in Goa
• Football in Gujarat
• Football in Haryana
• Football in Himachal Pradesh
• Football in Jharkhand
• Football in Karnataka
• Football in Kerala
• Football in Madhya Pradesh
• Football in Maharashtra
• Football in Manipur
• Football in Meghalaya
• Football in Mizoram
• Football in Nagaland
• Football in Odisha
• Football in Punjab
• Football in Rajasthan
• Football in Sikkim
• Football in Tamil Nadu
• Football in Telangana
• Football in Tripura
• Football in Uttar Pradesh
• Football in Uttarakhand
• Football in West Bengal
• Football in Andaman & Nicobar Islands
• Football in Chandigarh
• Football in Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
• Football in Delhi
• Football in Jammu & Kashmir
• Football in Ladakh
• Football in Lakshadweep
• Football in Puducherry