India national football team: Difference between revisions

India
Nickname(s)	Blue Tigers
Confederation	AFC (Asia)
Sub-confederation	SAFF (South Asia)
Head coach	Igor Stimac
Captain	Pronay Halder
Most caps	Sunil Chhetri (107)
Top scorer	Sunil Chhetri (67)
Home stadium	Various
FIFA code	IND
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing First colours	Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	Template:FIFA World Rankings
Highest	94 (February 1996)
Lowest	173 (March 2015)
First international
	Pre-independence:; Australia 5–3 India Error creating thumbnail: File missing; (Sydney, Australia; 3 September 1938); Post-independence:; India 1–2 France Error creating thumbnail: File missing; (London, England; 31 July 1948)
Biggest win
	Australia 1–7 India ; (Sydney, Australia; 12 December 1956); India 6–0 Template:Country data CAM; (New Delhi, India; 17 August 2007)
Biggest defeat
	Template:Country data YUG 10–1 India ; (Helsinki, Finland; 15 July 1952)
Summer Olympics
Appearances	4 (first in 1948)
Best result	4th place, 1956
Asian Cup
Appearances	4 (first in 1964)
Best result	Runners-up, 1964

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Revision as of 01:56, 6 February 2022

India national football team is the national football team of India. It has won the AFC challenge Cup in 2008 and ranks 150 in FIFA ranking (2014). The team is managed by Igor Stimac. They have been runners up of Asian Nations Cup (1964). Their best result is to feature in the fourth olympic football tournament's finals in 1956.

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 "Sunil Chhetri". national-football-teams.
↑ "India jump four spots to enter top 150 of FIFA men's rankings". Scroll. TheField Scroll. 3 March 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
↑ "India slip to 172 in latest FIFA rankings". IndianExpress. IndianExpress. 3 March 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
↑ ^4.0 ^4.1 "World Football Elo Ratings: India". World Football Elo Ratings. Retrieved 15 September 2018.

This sports-related article is a stub. You can help Bharatpedia by expanding it.

[Chhetri-1] 1.0 ^1.1 "Sunil Chhetri". national-football-teams.

[peak_ranking-2] "India jump four spots to enter top 150 of FIFA men's rankings". Scroll. TheField Scroll. 3 March 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2017.

[3] "India slip to 172 in latest FIFA rankings". IndianExpress. IndianExpress. 3 March 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2017.

[elo-4] 4.0 ^4.1 "World Football Elo Ratings: India". World Football Elo Ratings. Retrieved 15 September 2018.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{short description|Men's national association football team representing India}}
-{{About|the men's team|the women's team|India women's national football team}}
-{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
-{{Use Indian English|date=March 2017}}
 {{Infobox national football team
 | Name = India
-| Badge = The new crest of India national football teams.png
-| Badge_size = 175px
 | FIFA Trigramme = IND
-| Nickname = ''The Blue Tigers''
+| Nickname = ''Blue Tigers''
-| Association = [[All India Football Federation]]
+| Ass}
 | Confederation = [[Asian Football Confederation|AFC]] (Asia)
 | Sub-confederation = [[South Asian Football Federation|SAFF]] (South Asia)
-| Coach = [[Igor Štimac]]<ref name="Igor Stimac"/>
+| Coach = Igor Stimac
-| Captain = [[Sunil Chhetri]] <!--Latest match captain-->
+| Captain = [[Pronay Halder]] <!--latest captain only-->
-| Most caps = [[Sunil Chhetri]] (125)<ref name="top GS">{{cite web |last1=Dey |first1=Subrata |title=India – Record international players |url=http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/india-recintlp.html#app |publisher=[[Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|RSSSF]] |access-date=12 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321143659/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/india-recintlp.html#app |archive-date=21 March 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
+| Most caps = [[Sunil Chhetri]] <!--Don't change, this is the real number based on a reliable source.-->(107)<ref name="Chhetri">{{cite web |title=Sunil Chhetri |url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/12944/Sunil_Chhetri.html |website=national-football-teams}}</ref>
-| Top scorer = [[Sunil Chhetri]] ([[List of international goals scored by Sunil Chhetri|80]])<ref name="top GS"/>
+| Top scorer = [[Sunil Chhetri]] (67)<ref name="Chhetri"/>
-| Home Stadium = [[#Home stadiums|Various]]
+| Home Stadium = [[India national football team#Home stadiums|Various]]
 | FIFA Rank = {{FIFA World Rankings|IND}}
-| FIFA max = 94<ref name = "peak ranking">{{cite news| title= India jump four spots to enter top 150 of FIFA men's rankings | url= https://thefield.scroll.in/816585/football-india-jump-four-spots-to-enter-top-150-of-fifa-mens-rankings |publisher=TheField Scroll |work=Scroll | date=3 March 2017 | access-date=3 March 2017}}</ref>
+| FIFA max = 94<ref name = "peak ranking">{{cite news| title= India jump four spots to enter top 150 of FIFA men's rankings | url= https://thefield.scroll.in/816585/football-india-jump-four-spots-to-enter-top-150-of-fifa-mens-rankings |publisher=TheField Scroll |work=Scroll | date=3 March 2017 | accessdate=3 March 2017}}</ref>
 | FIFA max date = February 1996
-| FIFA min = 173<ref>{{cite news | title= India slip to 172 in latest FIFA rankings | url= http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/india-slip-to-172-in-latest-fifa-rankings/ | work=The Indian Express| date= 3 March 2017 | access-date= 3 March 2017 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112111/http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/india-slip-to-172-in-latest-fifa-rankings/ | archive-date= 22 March 2017 | url-status= live }}</ref>
+| FIFA min = 173<ref>{{cite news| title= India slip to 172 in latest FIFA rankings | url= http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/india-slip-to-172-in-latest-fifa-rankings/ |publisher=IndianExpress |work=IndianExpress | date=3 March 2017 | accessdate=3 March 2017}}</ref>
 | FIFA min date = March 2015
 | Elo Rank = {{World Football Elo Ratings|India}}
-| Elo max = 30<ref name="elo">{{cite web | title= World Football Elo Ratings: India | url= http://www.eloratings.net/India.htm | publisher= World Football Elo Ratings | access-date= 15 September 2018 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180424212122/http://www.eloratings.net/India.htm | archive-date= 24 April 2018 | url-status= live }}</ref>
+| Elo max = 30<ref name="elo">{{cite web | title= World Football Elo Ratings: India | url= http://www.eloratings.net/India.htm | publisher=World Football Elo Ratings | accessdate=15 September 2018}}</ref>
 | Elo max date = March 1952
 | Elo min = 186<ref name="elo" />
 | Elo min date = September 2015
-| pattern_la1=
+| pattern_la1=_ind19h
-| pattern_b1=_india21h
+| pattern_b1=_ind19h
-| pattern_ra1=
+| pattern_ra1= _ind19h
 | pattern_sh1=
-| pattern_so1=_orangetop
+| pattern_so1=
-| leftarm1=2B2B73
+| leftarm1=335AFF
-| body1=2B2B73
+| body1=335AFF
-| rightarm1=2B2B73
+| rightarm1=335AFF
-| shorts1=2B2B73
+| shorts1=335AFF
-| socks1=2B2B73
+| socks1=335AFF
-| pattern_la2=
+| pattern_la2=_ind19a
-| pattern_b2=_india21a
+| pattern_b2=_ind19a
-| pattern_ra2=
+| pattern_ra2=_ind19a
 | pattern_sh2=
-| pattern_so2=_orangetop
+| pattern_so2=
 | leftarm2=FFFFFF
 | body2=FFFFFF
 | rightarm2=FFFFFF
 | shorts2=FFFFFF
-| socks2=FFFFFF
+| socks2=FF4500
-| First game = ''Pre-independence:''<br/>{{fb|AUS}} 5–3 {{fb-rt|IND|British}}<br/>([[Sydney]], Australia; 3 September 1938)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Socceroo/1938A.html|title=India football team tour of Australia 1938|access-date= 2021-02-14}}</ref><br/>''Post-independence:''<br/>{{fb|IND}} 1–2 {{fb-rt|FRA}}<br/>([[London]], England; 31 July 1948)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thesportsrush.com/on-this-day-india-played-their-first-ever-international-football-match/|title=India's first ever match as independent nation|access-date= 2021-02-14}}</ref>
+| First game = ''Pre-independence:''<br/>{{fb|AUS}} 5–3 {{fb-rt|IND|British}}<br/>([[Sydney]], Australia; 3 September 1938)<br/>''Post-independence:''<br/>{{fb|IND}} 1–2 {{fb-rt|FRA}}<br/>([[London]], England; 31 July 1948)
-| Largest win = {{fb|AUS}} 1–7 {{fb-rt|IND}}<br />([[Sydney]], Australia; 12 December 1956)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.in/football/story/_/id/18177743/60-years-ago-today-india-melbourne-magic-created-history|title=India's Melbourne magic|access-date=2021-02-14|archive-date=15 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115205259/https://www.espn.in/football/story/_/id/18177743/60-years-ago-today-india-melbourne-magic-created-history|url-status=live}}</ref> <br/>{{fb|IND}} 6–0 {{fb-rt|CAM}}<br/>([[New Delhi]], India; 17 August 2007)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-in/galleries/indian-football-india-6-0-cambodia-where-are-all-the-stars/1/193lndhyx5ha11jf8fh0rq622y|title=India 6-0 win over Cambodia|access-date=2021-02-14|archive-date=14 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814094717/http://www.goal.com/en-in/galleries/indian-football-india-6-0-cambodia-where-are-all-the-stars/1/193lndhyx5ha11jf8fh0rq622y|url-status=live}}</ref>
+| Largest win = {{fb|AUS}} 1–7 {{fb-rt|IND}}<br />([[Sydney]], Australia; 12 December 1956)<br/>{{fb|IND}} 6–0 {{fb-rt|CAM}}<br/>([[New Delhi]], India; 17 August 2007)
-| Largest loss = {{nowrap|{{fb|URS|1955}} 11–1 {{fb-rt|IND}}<br />([[Moscow]], Soviet Union; 16 September 1955)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=14601 |title=Soviet Union 11:1 India |publisher=eu-football.info |access-date=2016-03-23 |archive-date=5 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205150917/https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=14601 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
+| Largest loss = {{fb|YUG}} 10–1 {{fb-rt|IND}}<br />([[Helsinki]], Finland; 15 July 1952) <!--don't change, match against Soviet is not a fifa A match, only fifa A match here-->
 | World cup apps =
 | World cup first =
 | World cup best =
-| Regional name = [[Football at the Summer Olympics|Summer Olympics]]
+| Regional name = [[Summer Olympics]]
 | Regional cup apps = 4
-| Regional cup first = [[Football at the 1948 Summer Olympics|1948]]
+| Regional cup first = [[1948 Summer Olympics|1948]]
-| Regional cup best =Fourth Place ([[Association football at the 1956 Summer Olympics|1956]])
+|Regional cup best = 4th place, [[1956 Summer Olympics|1956]]
 | 2ndRegional name = [[AFC Asian Cup|Asian Cup]]
 | 2ndRegional cup apps = 4
 | 2ndRegional cup first = [[1964 AFC Asian Cup|1964]]
-| 2ndRegional cup best =  Runners-up ([[1964 AFC Asian Cup|1964]])
+| 2ndRegional cup best = Runners-up, [[1964 AFC Asian Cup|1964]]
-| 3rdRegional name = [[SAFF Championship]]
-| 3rdRegional cup apps = 13
-| 3rdRegional cup first = [[1993 South Asian Association of Regional Co-operation Gold Cup|1993]]
-| 3rdRegional cup best = Champions ([[1993 South Asian Association of Regional Co-operation Gold Cup|1993]], [[1997 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup|1997]], [[1999 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup|1999]], [[2005 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup|2005]], [[2009 SAFF Championship|2009]], [[2011 SAFF Championship|2011]], [[2015 SAFF Championship|2015]], [[2021 SAFF Championship|2021]])
-|medaltemplates-expand=yes
-| medaltemplates           =
-{{MedalSport|Men's [[Association football|football]]}}
-{{MedalCompetition | [[AFC Asian Cup]]}}
-{{MedalSilver   | [[1964 AFC Asian Cup|1964 Israel]]|[[1964 AFC Asian Cup squads#India|Team]]}}
-{{MedalCompetition | [[Football at the Asian Games|Asian Games]]}}
-{{MedalGold | [[Football at the 1951 Asian Games|1951 New Delhi]]|[[Football at the 1951 Asian Games – Men's team squads#India|Team]]}}
-{{MedalGold | [[Football at the 1962 Asian Games|1962 Jakarta]]|[[Football at the 1962 Asian Games – Men's team squads#India|Team]]}}
-{{MedalBronze | [[Football at the 1970 Asian Games|1970 Bankok]]|[[Football at the 1970 Asian Games – Men's team squads#India|Team]]}}
-{{MedalCompetition |[[SAFF Championship]]}}
-{{MedalGold   | [[1993 South Asian Association of Regional Co-operation Gold Cup|1993 Pakistan]]|N/A}}
-{{MedalGold   | [[1997 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup|1997 Nepal]]|N/A}}
-{{MedalGold   | [[1999 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup|1999 India]]|[[1999 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup squads|Team]]}}
-{{MedalGold   | [[2005 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup|2005 Pakistan]]|[[2005 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup squads|Team]]}}
-{{MedalGold   | [[2009 SAFF Championship|2009 Bangladesh]]|[[2009 SAFF Championship squads|Team]]}}
-{{MedalGold | [[2011 SAFF Championship|2011 India]]|[[2011 SAFF Championship squads|Team]]}}
-{{MedalGold | [[2015 SAFF Championship|2015 India]]|[[2015 SAFF Championship squads|Team]]}}
-{{MedalGold | [[2021 SAFF Championship|2021 Maldives]]|[[2021 SAFF Championship squads|Team]]}}
-{{MedalSilver | [[1995 South Asian Gold Cup|1995 Sri Lanka]]|[[1995 South Asian Gold Cup squads|Team]]}}
-{{MedalSilver | [[2008 SAFF Championship|2008 Maldives & Sri Lanka]]|[[2008 SAFF Championship squads|Team]]}}
-{{MedalSilver | [[2013 SAFF Championship|2013 Nepal]]|[[2013 SAFF Championship squads|Team]]}}
-{{MedalSilver | [[2018 SAFF Championship|2018 Bangladesh]]|[[2018 SAFF Championship squads|Team]]}}
-{{MedalBronze |[[2003 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup|2003 Bangladesh]]|[[2003 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup squads|Team]]}}
 }}
+'''India national football team''' is the national [[football (soccer)|football]] team of [[India]]. It has won the AFC challenge Cup in 2008 and ranks 150 in FIFA ranking (2014). The team is managed by Igor Stimac. They have been runners up of Asian Nations Cup (1964). Their best result is to feature in the fourth olympic football tournament's finals in 1956.
-The '''India national football team''' represents [[India]] in international [[Association football|football]] and is controlled by the [[All India Football Federation]] (AIFF). The squad is under the global jurisdiction of [[FIFA]] and governed in Asia by the [[Asian Football Confederation|AFC]]. The AIFF is one of the founding members of the [[South Asian Football Federation]] (SAFF) and the squad is also a part of the regional federation.
+==References==
+{{Reflist}}
-The team, which was once considered one of the best teams in [[Asia]], had its golden era during the 1950s and early 1960s.  During this period, India won gold at the [[Football at the 1951 Asian Games|1951]] and [[Football at the 1962 Asian Games|1962 Asian Games]], while finishing fourth at the [[Association football at the 1956 Summer Olympics|1956 Summer Olympics]]. Thus, India became the first Asian nation to reach the semi-final of a [[FIFA]] organized major tournament. India has never participated in the [[FIFA World Cup]], although they did qualify by default for the [[1950 FIFA World Cup|1950 World Cup]] after all other nations in their qualification group withdrew. However, India withdrew prior to the beginning of the tournament. The team has also appeared four times in the [[AFC Asian Cup]], Asia's top football championship and finished as runners-up in [[1964 AFC Asian Cup|1964]].
-India also participates in the [[SAFF Championship]], the top regional football competition in [[South Asia]]. They have won the tournament eight times since it began in [[1993 South Asian Association of Regional Co-operation Gold Cup|1993]] and by doing so became the most successful team in the region.
-==History==
-{{Main|History of the India national football team}}<!--Remember, this is supposed to be just a summary. More detailed and specific information goes to the History of India national football team article.-->
-===Early years (1930s–1940s)===
-{{multiple image
-| align = left
-| direction = horizontal
-| image1 = India & all European team 1938 Calcutta Charity match.jpg
-| width1 = 260
-| alt1 = Aerial photo of packed stadium
-| image2 = India national team at Olympics 1948.jpg
-| width2 = 180
-| alt2 = Stadium interior, photographed from the grandstand
-| footer = Indian (in white) and all European (in black) team together before 1 July 1938 Calcutta match.''(top)'' India side that participated in the [[1948 Summer Olympics]] match against [[France national football team|France]]
-| total_width =
-| caption1 =
-| caption2 =
-}}
-The first known official international tour of the Indian team which at that time consisted of both Indian and British players was in 1924, when it was led by Indian footballer [[Gostha Paul]].<ref name="pedia.desibantu.com"/>
-[[Association football|Football]] teams consisting of entirely Indian players started to tour [[Australia]], [[Japan]], [[Indonesia]], and [[Thailand]] during the late 1930s. The first international match India played before independence is yet to be verified, but the very trace of it can be found in the match India played overseas against [[Sri Lanka national football team|Ceylon]] in 1933. It was India's second international tour, where [[Gostha Paul]] led his side to victory by 1–0 score.<ref name="pedia.desibantu.com"/><ref name="kolkatafootball.com" /><ref name="thehardtackle.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.thehardtackle.com/2011/legends-of-indian-football-gostha-pal/|title=LEGENDS OF INDIAN FOOTBALL : GOSTHA PAL|date=|access-date=2018-08-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820140949/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2011/legends-of-indian-football-gostha-pal/|archive-date=20 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
-On 4 July 1936 India played against visiting [[China national football team|Chinese]] team, which was held at [[Kolkata|Calcutta]]. The match was a draw of 1–1.<ref name="pedia.desibantu.com">{{cite web|url=https://pedia.desibantu.com/gostha-pal/|title=Gostha Pal|date=|access-date=2018-08-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820141524/https://pedia.desibantu.com/gostha-pal/|archive-date=20 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
-After the success of several Indian football clubs abroad, the [[All India Football Federation]] (AIFF) was formed in 1937. In the same year, India made a long official tour on invitation by [[Football Federation Australia|Australian Football Association]], from August to October where they played 17 matches against many states, districts, club teams and 5 friendly matches against the [[Australia national soccer team|Australian]] national side too.<ref name="1938 fifa recognised matchlist">{{cite web |title=Matches 1938 |url=https://www.fifa.com/live-scores/teams/country=ind/men/matches/index.html#year1938 |website=fifa.com |publisher=FIFA |access-date=24 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924110047/https://www.fifa.com/live-scores/teams/country=ind/men/matches/index.html#year1938 |archive-date=24 September 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> After playing some matches against state and district teams, on 3 September at [[Sydney]], India played the first friendly match against Australia and got defeated by 5–3 and the match is considered as India's first FIFA-recognised match.<ref name="1938 fifa recognised matchlist"/> Second match was at [[Brisbane]], where the Indians fought back for a draw of 4–4. In the third match at [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]], on 17 September India registered their first win by a margin of 4–1. But the Australians defeated India in the next two matches held at Sydney and [[Melbourne]] with a score line of 5–4 and 3–1 respectively. At the Sydney match on 24 September, Indian striker Lumsden scored the first hat-trick for India against the Australian side which includes a penalty kick.<ref name="1938 aus tour result"/>
-The national team played their first match as an independent nation in 1948 in the first round of the [[1948 Summer Olympics]] against [[France national football team|France]]. Using mainly barefooted players, India were defeated 2–1 in [[London]].<ref name="Pierre">{{cite web |url=http://pierretristam.com/pdfs/wc10.pdf |title=Triumphs and Disasters: The Story of Indian Football, 1889--2000. |access-date=20 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813081005/http://pierretristam.com/pdfs/wc10.pdf |archive-date=13 August 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
-===Golden years (1950s–1960s)===
-In 1950, India managed to qualify for the [[1950 FIFA World Cup]], which was scheduled to take place in [[Brazil]], after the withdrawal of all opponents in their group during the [[1950 FIFA World Cup qualification#Group 10|qualifying round]]. But later, India as well withdrew from the tournament due to travel costs, lack of practice time, and valuing the Olympics more than the World Cup.<ref name="Brazil">{{cite news|last1=Kapadia|first1=Novy|title=The 1950 FIFA World Cup: A missed opportunity for India|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/the-1950-fifa-world-cup-a-missed-opportunity-for-india|access-date=17 March 2017|work=SportsKeeda|date=2 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112300/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/the-1950-fifa-world-cup-a-missed-opportunity-for-india|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
-[[File:India national football team at1956 Olympics.png|160px|thumb|left|Indian team at a melee against Australia at the [[Association football at the 1956 Summer Olympics|1956 Olympics]].]]
-Despite the reason given out by the AIFF, many historians and pundits believe India withdrew from the World Cup due to [[FIFA]] imposing a rule banning players from playing [[barefoot]]. [[FIFA]] offered to pay the travel expenses of the Indian team hence India withdrawing due to travel costs is incorrect.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.timesnownews.com/fifa-football-world-cup-2018-russia/article/why-did-india-withdraw-from-fifa-world-cup/239363 | title=FIFA World Cup: Here's why India withdrew from quadrennial event in 1950 despite qualifying | publisher=Times Now | date=12 June 2018 | accessdate=30 July 2021}}</ref><ref>Lisi (2007), p. 49</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=7/overview.html |title=1950 FIFA World Cup Brazil – Overview |publisher=[[FIFA]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318000125/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition%3D7/overview.html |archive-date=18 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://worldfootballindex.com/2018/07/india-1950-world-cup-barefoot/ | title=Were India Banned From World Cup 1950 For Wanting To Play Barefoot? | publisher=World Football Index | work=Peter Jones | date=11 July 2018 | accessdate=30 July 2021}}</ref> However, according to the then captain of India, [[Sailen Manna]], the story of the team not being allowed to play due to wanting to play barefoot was not true<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blog.twelfthman.io/indian-national-football-team/|title=The Indian National Football Team|date=2019-11-25|website=twelfthman blog|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-30|archive-date=29 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129134853/http://blog.twelfthman.io/indian-national-football-team/|url-status=live}}</ref> and was just an excuse to cover up the real reasons the AIFF decided not to travel to Brazil.<ref name="Brazil"/>    Since then, India has not come close to qualifying for another World Cup.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/data/worldcupq.html|title=Indian football.de 1950 World Cup|access-date=4 May 2021|archive-date=14 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100614204013/http://www.indianfootball.de/data/worldcupq.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
-Despite not participating in the World Cup in 1950, the following years until 1964 are usually considered to be the "golden era" of Indian football. India, coached by Hyderabad City Police head coach [[Syed Abdul Rahim]], became one of the best teams in [[Asia]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Article written by Somnath Sengupta |url=http://www.thehardtackle.com/index.php/legends-of-indian-football-rahim-saab/ |title=Legends of Indian Football: Rahim Saab |publisher=Thehardtackle.com |date=26 December 2010 |access-date=20 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615042007/http://www.thehardtackle.com/index.php/legends-of-indian-football-rahim-saab/ |archive-date=15 June 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In March 1951, Rahim led India to their first ever triumph during the [[1951 Asian Games]]. Hosted in India, the team defeated [[Iran national football team|Iran]] 1–0 in the gold medal match to gain their first trophy.<ref name="March 1951">{{cite web|last1=Ghoshal|first1=Amoy|title=Indian football team at the Asian Games: 1951 New Delhi|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/indian-football-team-at-the-asian-games-1951-new-delhi|website=SportsKeeda|access-date=21 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112033/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/indian-football-team-at-the-asian-games-1951-new-delhi|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Sahu Mewalal]] scored the winning goal for India in that match.<ref name="March 1951"/> The next year India went back to the Olympics but were once again defeated in the first round, this time by [[Yugoslavia national football team|Yugoslavia]] and by a heavy score of 10–1.<ref>{{cite web |author=Arunava Chaudhuri |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1952olympics.html |title=The Indian Senior Team at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics |publisher=Indianfootball.de |access-date=20 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203000534/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1952olympics.html |archive-date=3 December 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Upon returning to India, the AIFF made it mandatory for footballers to wear boots.<ref name="Pierre"/> After taking the defeat in [[Finland]], India participated in various minor tournaments, such as the [[Colombo Cup]], which they won four times from 1952 to 1955.<ref>{{cite web|title=Colombo Cup|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/data/colombocup.html|website=IndianFootball.De|access-date=21 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416014805/http://www.indianfootball.de/data/colombocup.html|archive-date=16 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
-In 1954, India returned to the [[Asian Games]] as defending champions in [[Manila]]. Despite their achievement three years prior, India was unable to go past the group stage as the team finished second in Group C during the tournament, two points behind [[Indonesia national football team|Indonesia]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Asian Games 1954|url=http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/asgames54.html|website=RSSSF|access-date=21 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420135938/http://rsssf.com/tablesa/asgames54.html|archive-date=20 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Two years later, during the [[1956 Summer Olympics]], India went on to achieve the team's greatest result in a competitive tournament. The team finished in fourth place during the Summer Olympics football tournament, losing the bronze-medal match to [[Bulgaria national football team|Bulgaria]] 3–0.<ref name="Melbourne">{{cite web|title=Melbourne, 1956|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/melbourne1956/|website=FIFA|access-date=19 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122235009/https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/melbourne1956/|archive-date=22 January 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> The tournament is also known for [[Neville D'Souza]]'s hat-trick against [[Australia national soccer team|Australia]] in the quarterfinals. D'Souza's hat-trick was the first scored by an Asian in Olympic history.<ref name="Melbourne"/>
-[[File:1960 Olympics India football team.jpg|250px|thumb|right|alt=India national football team photo session before 1960 Olympics|Indian team at the [[Football at the 1960 Summer Olympics|1960 Olympics]]]]
-After their good performance during the Summer Olympics, India participated in the [[1958 Asian Games]] in [[Tokyo]]. The team once again finished fourth, losing the bronze-medal match to Indonesia 4–1.<ref>{{cite web |author=Arunava Chaudhuri |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1958asiangames.html |title=The Indian Senior Team at the 1958 Tokyo Asian Games |publisher=Indianfootball.de |access-date=20 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002162137/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1958asiangames.html |archive-date=2 October 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> The next year the team traveled to [[Malaysia]] where they took part in the [[Pestabola Merdeka|Merdeka Cup]] and finished as the tournament runners-up.<ref>{{cite web |author=Arunava Chaudhuri |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1959merdekacup.html |title=The Indian Senior Team at the 1959 Merdeka Cup |publisher=Indianfootball.de |access-date=20 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002162144/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1959merdekacup.html |archive-date=2 October 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref>
-India began the 1960s with the [[1960 AFC Asian Cup qualification|1960 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers]]. Despite the qualifiers for the West Zone being held in [[Kochi]], India finished last in their qualification group and thus missed out the tournament.<ref>{{cite web |author=Arunava Chaudhuri |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1960asiacupq.html |title=The Indian Senior Team at the 1960 Seoul Asia Cup Qualifiers |publisher=Indianfootball.de |access-date=20 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002162157/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1960asiacupq.html |archive-date=2 October 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the set-back, India went on to win the gold medal during the Asian Games for the second time in 1962. The team defeated [[South Korea national football team|South Korea]] 2–1 to win their second major championship.<ref>{{cite web |author=Arunava Chaudhuri |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1962asiangames.html |title=The Indian Senior Team at the 1962 D'Jakarta Asian Games |publisher=Indianfootball.de |access-date=20 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002162213/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1962asiangames.html |archive-date=2 October 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
-Two years later, following their Asian Games triumph, India participated in the [[1964 AFC Asian Cup]] after all the other teams in their qualification group withdrew. Despite their automatic entry into the continental tournament, India managed to finish as the runners-up during the tournament, losing out to the hosts, [[Israel national football team|Israel]], by two points. This remains India's best performance in the AFC Asian Cup.<ref>{{cite web |author=Arunava Chaudhuri |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1964asiacup.html |title=The Indian Senior Team at the 1964 Tel Aviv Asia Cup |publisher=Indianfootball.de |access-date=20 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002162221/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1964asiacup.html |archive-date=2 October 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
-===Decline (1970s–2000)===
-India returned to the Asian Games in [[1966 Asian Games|1966]]. Despite their performance two years prior during the [[AFC Asian Cup]], India could not go beyond the group stage as the team finished third, behind [[Japan national football team|Japan]] and [[Iran national football team|Iran]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Arunava Chaudhuri |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1966asiangames.html |title=The Indian Senior Team at the 1966 Bangkok Asian Games |publisher=Indianfootball.de |access-date=20 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002162235/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1966asiangames.html |archive-date=2 October 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> Four years later, during the [[1970 Asian Games]], India came back and took third place during the tournament. The team defeated Japan 1–0 during the bronze-medal match.<ref>{{cite web |author=Arunava Chaudhuri |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1970asiangames.html |title=The Indian Senior Team at the 1970 Bangkok Asian Games |publisher=Indianfootball.de |access-date=20 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002162324/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1970asiangames.html |archive-date=2 October 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-In 1974, India's performance in the Asian Games once again sharply declined as they finished the [[1974 Asian Games|1974]] edition in last place in their group, losing all three matches, scoring two, and conceding 14 goals in the first round.<ref>{{cite web|title=Asian Games 1974|url=http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/asgames74.html|website=RSSSF|access-date=21 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922025244/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/asgames74.html|archive-date=22 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> India then showed steady improvement during the [[1978 Asian Games|1978]] tournament, finishing second in their group of three. The team were then knocked-out in the next round, finishing last in their group with three defeats from three matches.<ref>{{cite web|title=Asian Games 1978|url=http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/asgames78.html|website=RSSSF|access-date=21 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109205659/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/asgames78.html|archive-date=9 November 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[1982 Asian Games|1982 tournament]] proved to be better for India as the side managed to qualify for the quarter-finals before losing to [[Saudi Arabia national football team|Saudi Arabia]] 1–0.<ref>{{cite web|title=Asian Games 1982|url=http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/asgames82.html|website=RSSSF|access-date=21 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109213241/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/asgames82.html|archive-date=9 November 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
-In 1984, India managed to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup for the first time since their second place triumph in 1964. During the [[1984 AFC Asian Cup|1984 tournament]], India finished in last place in their five team group in the first round.<ref name="1984 tournament">{{cite web |author=Arunava Chaudhuri |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1984asiacup.html |title=The Indian Senior Team at the 1984 Singapore Asia Cup |publisher=Indianfootball.de |access-date=20 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002162346/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1984asiacup.html |archive-date=2 October 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> India's only non-defeat during the tournament came against Iran, a 0–0 draw.<ref name="1984 tournament"/>
-Despite India's decline from a major football power in Asia, the team still managed to assert its dominance as the top team in [[South Asia]]. India managed to win the football competition of the [[Football at the South Asian Games|South Asian Games]] in [[Football at the 1985 South Asian Games|1985]] and then again won the gold medal in [[Football at the 1987 South Asian Games|1987]].<ref name="SAG">{{cite web|title=South Asian Games|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/data/saf-games.html|website=IndianFootball.De|access-date=21 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021175146/http://www.indianfootball.de/data/saf-games.html|archive-date=21 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The team then began the 1990s by winning the inaugural [[SAFF Championship]] in [[1993 South Asian Association of Regional Co-operation Gold Cup|1993]].<ref name="SAFF">{{cite news|title=SAFF CHAMPIONSHIP: REMEMBERING INDIA'S SAFF TITLE TRIUMPHS|url=http://www.thehardtackle.com/2013/saff-championship-remembering-indias-saff-title-triumphs/|access-date=17 March 2017|work=The Hard Tackle|date=27 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112729/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2013/saff-championship-remembering-indias-saff-title-triumphs/|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The team ended the 20th century by winning the SAFF Championship again in [[1997 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup|1997]] and [[1999 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup|1999]].<ref name="SAFF"/>
-===Resurgence (2001–2011)===
-[[File:A view of ONGC Nehru Football Cup between India- Syria, in New Delhi on August 29, 2007.jpg|right|180px|thumb|India playing against [[Syria national football team|Syria]] at the [[2007 Nehru Cup]]]]
-India's first competitive matches of the 21st century were the [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC First Round|2002 FIFA World Cup first round qualifiers]]. India took a very bright start, defeating the [[United Arab Emirates national football team|United Arab Emirates]] 1–0, drawing [[Yemen national football team|Yemen]] 1–1, as well as two victories over [[Brunei national football team|Brunei]], including a 5–0 victory in [[Bangalore]]. However, they finished a point away from qualification for the next round.<ref>{{cite web|title=World Cup qualifying|url=http://www.rsssf.com/tables/2002q.html|website=RSSSF|access-date=21 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116173331/http://www.rsssf.com/tables/2002q.html|archive-date=16 January 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2003, India took part in the [[2003 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup|2003 SAFF Championship]]. The team qualified for the semi-finals but fell to [[Bangladesh national football team|Bangladesh]] 2–1.<ref>{{cite web|title=SAFF 2003|url=http://www.rsssf.com/tabless/saffgold02.html|website=RSSSF|access-date=21 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324135047/http://www.rsssf.com/tabless/saffgold02.html|archive-date=24 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
-Later in 2003, India participated in the [[Football at the 2003 Afro-Asian Games|Afro-Asian Games]] being held in [[Hyderabad]]. Under the coaching of [[Stephen Constantine]], India managed to make it to the final of the tournament after defeating [[Zimbabwe national football team|Zimbabwe]], a team ranked 85 places above India in the [[FIFA rankings]] at the time, 5–3.<ref name="Stephen">{{cite news|title=Constantine's rising stock|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/article/article163.html|access-date=17 March 2017|work=IndianFootball.De|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112033/http://www.indianfootball.de/article/article163.html|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the major victory, during the gold-medal match India were defeated 1–0 by [[Uzbekistan national under-23 football team|Uzbekistan]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Uzbekistan win football gold|url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/2003/oct/31foot1.htm|access-date=17 March 2017|work=Rediff|date=23 October 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112535/http://www.rediff.com/sports/2003/oct/31foot1.htm|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Because of this achievement, Constantine was voted as the [[Asian Football Confederation]]'s Manager of the Month for October 2003. The tournament result also gave India more recognition around the country and around the world.<ref name="Stephen"/>
-Constantine was replaced by [[Syed Nayeemuddin]] in 2005 but the Indian head coach only lasted for a little over a year as India suffered many heavy defeats during the [[2007 AFC Asian Cup qualification|2007 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers]].<ref>{{cite news|title=National football team's coach sacked|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/national-football-team-s-coach-sacked/story-E3GhmqEJs5QoF4fCbAGZyJ.html|access-date=17 March 2017|work=Hindustan Times|date=9 March 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322111709/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/national-football-team-s-coach-sacked/story-E3GhmqEJs5QoF4fCbAGZyJ.html|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> During this time India were defeated 6–0 by [[Japan national football team|Japan]], 3–0 by [[Saudi Arabia national football team|Saudi Arabia]] and [[Yemen national football team|Yemen]] respectively at home, and 7–1 away in [[Jeddah]].<ref>{{cite web|title=AFC Asian Cup 2007|url=http://www.rsssf.com/tables/07asch.html|website=RSSSF|access-date=21 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303181313/http://www.rsssf.com/tables/07asch.html|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Former [[Malmö FF|Malmö]] and [[China national football team|China]] coach [[Bob Houghton]] was brought in as head coach in May 2006.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bob Houghton is India's football coach|url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/2006/may/28foot.htm|access-date=17 March 2017|work=Rediff|date=28 May 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322202639/http://www.rediff.com/sports/2006/may/28foot.htm|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
-[[File:TeamInd.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Indian team celebrating their [[2008 AFC Challenge Cup]] victory]]
-Under Houghton, India witnessed massive improvement in their football standing. In August 2007, Houghton won the country the restarted [[Nehru Cup]] after India defeated [[Syria national football team|Syria]] 1–0 in the final.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nehru Cup 2007|url=http://www.rsssf.com/tablesn/nehru07.html|work=RSSSF|access-date=21 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522145716/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesn/nehru07.html|archive-date=22 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Pappachen Pradeep]] scored the winning goal for India that match. The next year, Houghton led India during the [[2008 AFC Challenge Cup]], which was hosted in [[Hyderabad]] and [[Delhi]]. During the tournament, India breezed through the group stage before defeating [[Myanmar national football team|Myanmar]] in the semi-finals. In the final against [[Tajikistan national football team|Tajikistan]], India, through a [[Sunil Chhetri]] hat-trick, won the match [[2008 AFC Challenge Cup Final|4–1]]. The victory not only earned India the championship but it also allowed India to qualify for the [[2011 AFC Asian Cup]], the nation's first Asian Cup appearance in 27 years.<ref>{{cite news|title=India win AFC Challenge Cup|url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/report/afc/20080813.htm|access-date=17 March 2017|work=[[Rediff.com]]|date=13 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322111543/http://www.rediff.com/sports/report/afc/20080813.htm|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In order to prepare for the Asian Cup, Houghton had the team stay together as a squad for eight months from June 2010 till the start of the tournament, meaning the players would not play for their clubs.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rizvi|first1=Ahmed|title=Houghton prepares in earnest|url=http://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/houghton-prepares-in-earnest|access-date=17 March 2017|work=The National|date=7 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112203/http://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/houghton-prepares-in-earnest|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
-India were drawn into Group C for the Asian Cup with [[Australia national soccer team|Australia]], [[South Korea national football team|South Korea]], and [[Bahrain national football team|Bahrain]].<ref>{{cite news|title=AFC Asian Cup 2011: Group C preview|url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2011/01/04/afc-asian-cup-2011-group-c-preview|access-date=17 March 2017|work=The World Game|date=9 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322113553/http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2011/01/04/afc-asian-cup-2011-group-c-preview|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Even though they stayed together as a team for eight months, India lost all three of their matches during the Asian Cup, including a 4–0 defeat to Australia.<ref name="Asian Cup">{{cite news|title=INDIA IN AFC ASIAN CUP 2011: PERFORMANCE REVIEW|url=http://www.thehardtackle.com/2011/india-in-afc-asian-cup-2011-performance-review/|access-date=17 March 2017|work=The Hard Tackle|date=20 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023161845/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2011/india-in-afc-asian-cup-2011-performance-review/|archive-date=23 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Despite the results, India were praised by fans and pundits for their valiant efforts during the tournament.<ref name="Asian Cup"/>
-===2011–present ===
-After participating the [[2011 AFC Asian Cup]], India's campaign to qualify for the [[2015 AFC Asian Cup|2015 Asian Cup]] began in February 2011 with the [[2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualification|AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers]]. [[Bob Houghton]] decided to change the makeup of the India squad, replacing many of the older players from the Asian Cup with some young players from the [[All India Football Federation|AIFF]] development side in the [[I-League]], [[Pailan Arrows|Indian Arrows]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sengupta|first1=Rahul|title=AIFF Announces New Look Indian Squad for the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1582/afc-challenge-cup/2011/02/17/2356458/indian-national-team-aiff-announces-new-look-indian-squad|access-date=17 March 2017|work=Goal.com|date=17 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112211/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1582/afc-challenge-cup/2011/02/17/2356458/indian-national-team-aiff-announces-new-look-indian-squad|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Even with a young side, India managed to qualify for the AFC Challenge Cup.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Deb|first1=Debapriya|title=2012 AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers: team India performance report card – Part 1|url=http://www.thehardtackle.com/2011/2012-afc-challenge-cup-qualifiers-team-india-preformance-report-card-part-1/|access-date=17 March 2017|work=The Hard Tackle|date=27 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112705/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2011/2012-afc-challenge-cup-qualifiers-team-india-preformance-report-card-part-1/|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite qualifying for the AFC Challenge Cup, the AIFF decided to terminate the contract of Bob Houghton as he was charged with racial abuse towards referee<ref>{{cite web |title=Houghton's tenure as Indian football coach over: sources |date=21 April 2011 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Houghtons-tenure-as-Indian-football-coach-over-sources/articleshow/8047952.cms |work=The Times of India|access-date=4 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014043848/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Houghtons-tenure-as-Indian-football-coach-over-sources/articleshow/8047952.cms |archive-date=14 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Nelson |first1=Dean |title=India to sack British football manager Bob Houghton over racism allegations |date=24 February 2011 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/8345292/India-to-sack-British-football-manager-Bob-Houghton-over-racism-allegations.html |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |access-date=4 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315032943/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/8345292/India-to-sack-British-football-manager-Bob-Houghton-over-racism-allegations.html |archive-date=15 March 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> which ultimately resulted in his resignation as the head coach of India.<ref>{{cite web |title=Coach Bob Houghton resigns after bitter stand-off with AIFF |date=23 September 2011|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/coach-bob-houghton-resigns-after-bitter-standoff-with-aiff/780356/ |work=The Indian Express|access-date=4 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Football coach Bob Houghton resigns after bitter stand-off with AIFF |date=23 April 2011 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/football/story/aiff-indian-football-coach-bob-houghton-resigns-132633-2011-04-23 |work=ITGD Bureau |publisher=India Today |access-date=4 October 2019 |archive-date=3 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703201604/https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/football/story/aiff-indian-football-coach-bob-houghton-resigns-132633-2011-04-23 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-After having [[Dempo S.C.|Dempo]] coach [[Armando Colaco]] as interim head coach, the AIFF signed [[Savio Medeira]] as head coach in October 2011.<ref>{{cite news|title=Indian Coach Profile – Savio Medeira|url=http://www.wifa.in/?p=356|access-date=17 March 2017|work=WIFA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112552/http://www.wifa.in/?p=356|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Medeira led India to another [[SAFF Championship]] victory, but also to their worst performance in the [[AFC Challenge Cup]] in March 2012. The team lost all three of their group matches, unable to score a single goal during the tournament.<ref>{{cite news|last1=De Sousa|first1=Jonathan|title=Indian football: AFC Challenge Cup 2012 Review – A look at the blue tigers|url=http://www.thehardtackle.com/2012/afc-challenge-cup-2012-review-a-look-at-the-blue-tigers/|access-date=17 March 2017|work=The Hard Tackle|date=15 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112715/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2012/afc-challenge-cup-2012-review-a-look-at-the-blue-tigers/|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> After the tournament, Medeira was replaced as head coach by Dutchman, [[Wim Koevermans]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Ayush Srivastava|title=Wim Koevermans named as new India senior team coach|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2696/indian-national-team/2012/06/15/3176061/wim-koevermans-named-as-new-india-senior-team-coach|access-date=17 March 2017|work=Goal.com|date=15 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322203049/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2696/indian-national-team/2012/06/15/3176061/wim-koevermans-named-as-new-india-senior-team-coach|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Koevermans' first job as head coach was the [[2012 Nehru Cup]]. India won their third successive Nehru Cup, defeating Cameroon on penalties.<ref>{{cite news|title=India beat Cameroon to win third successive Nehru Cup title|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-win-nehru-cup-beat-cameroon-5-4-on-penalties/1/215762.html|access-date=17 March 2017|work=India Today|date=2 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203223340/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-win-nehru-cup-beat-cameroon-5-4-on-penalties/1/215762.html|archive-date=3 February 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/news/india-rejoices-nehru-cup-treble-1694216|title=India rejoices Nehru Cup treble:FIFA.com|access-date=18 June 2021|archive-date=11 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611042730/https://www.fifa.com/news/india-rejoices-nehru-cup-treble-1694216|url-status=dead}}</ref>
-In March 2013, India failed to qualify for the [[2014 AFC Challenge Cup]] and thus also failed to qualify for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.<ref>{{cite news|title=India Lose To Myanmar in AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers|url=https://sports.ndtv.com/football/india-lose-to-myanmar-in-afc-challenge-cup-qualifiers-1539882|access-date=17 March 2017|work=NDTV Sports|date=7 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112138/https://sports.ndtv.com/football/india-lose-to-myanmar-in-afc-challenge-cup-qualifiers-1539882|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The team also failed to retain the SAFF Championship, losing 2–0 to [[Afghanistan national football team|Afghanistan]] in the [[2013 SAFF Championship|2013 final]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Noronha|first1=Anselm|title=Afghanistan are the SAFF Championship 2013 champions, beat India 2-0|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2773/saff-championship/2013/09/11/4253966/afghanistan-are-the-saff-championship-2013-champions-beat|access-date=17 March 2017|work=Goal.com|date=11 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122125312/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2773/saff-championship/2013/09/11/4253966/afghanistan-are-the-saff-championship-2013-champions-beat|archive-date=22 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> After more bad results in friendlies, Koevermans resigned as head coach in October 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title=Indian football team goes down to Palestine; coach Koevermans resigns|url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/report/india-go-down-to-palestine-coach-koevermans-reisgns/20141006.htm|access-date=18 March 2017|work=Rediff|date=7 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112308/http://www.rediff.com/sports/report/india-go-down-to-palestine-coach-koevermans-reisgns/20141006.htm|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
-By March 2015, after not playing any matches, India reached their lowest FIFA ranking position of 173.<ref>{{cite news|title=India slip to 172 in latest FIFA rankings|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/india-slip-to-172-in-latest-fifa-rankings/|access-date=18 March 2017|work=Indian Express|date=5 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112111/http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/india-slip-to-172-in-latest-fifa-rankings/|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> A couple months prior, [[Stephen Constantine]] was re-hired as the head coach after first leading India more than a decade before.<ref>{{cite news|title=Stephen Constantine appointed Indian men's football head coach|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/stephen-constantine-appointed-indian-mens-football-head-coach/|access-date=18 March 2017|work=Indian Express|date=16 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723032805/http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/stephen-constantine-appointed-indian-mens-football-head-coach/|archive-date=23 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Constantine's first major assignment back as the India head coach were the [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)|2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers]]. After making it through the [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC First Round|first round]] of qualifiers, India crashed out during the [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Second Round|second round]], losing seven of their eight matches and thus, once again, failed to qualify for the World Cup.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sequiera|first1=Sean|title=2018 World Cup qualification was never possible for India: Stephen Constantine|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/football/2018-world-cup-qualification-was-never-possible-for-india-stephen-constantine/story-NjePzFYIDLqdK755Uhb0pI.html|access-date=18 March 2017|work=Hindustan Times|date=5 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322181822/http://www.hindustantimes.com/football/2018-world-cup-qualification-was-never-possible-for-india-stephen-constantine/story-NjePzFYIDLqdK755Uhb0pI.html|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
-[[File:India NT at 2019 AFC Asian Cup.jpg|thumb|right|alt=|India playing XI against [[Thailand national football team|Thailand]] at [[2019 AFC Asian Cup Group A|2019 AFC Asian Cup]]]]
-Despite failure to qualify for the World Cup, India managed to reach the [[2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification#Third round|third round]] of [[2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification|2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers]] after defeating [[Laos national football team|Laos]] in the [[2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification#Play-off round|play-off round]] on aggregate 7–1.<ref>{{cite news|title=India thrashes Laos|url=http://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/India-thrashes-Laos/article14390090.ece|access-date=22 October 2017|work=The Hindu|date=7 June 2016|archive-date=3 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703201605/https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/India-thrashes-Laos/article14390090.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> On 11 October 2017, India secured qualification for the [[2019 AFC Asian Cup]] after a 4–1 victory over [[Macau national football team|Macau]].<ref>{{cite news|title=India qualify for AFC Asian Cup 2019|url=http://www.goal.com/en-in/news/india-afc-asian-cup-2019-qualify/coqv4dai2ho310c6g4l6nrsuq|access-date=22 October 2017|work=Goal.com|date=11 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023173855/http://www.goal.com/en-in/news/india-afc-asian-cup-2019-qualify/coqv4dai2ho310c6g4l6nrsuq|archive-date=23 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
-Though defeated at [[2018 SAFF Championship]] final by 1–2 to [[Maldives national football team|Maldives]] in September 2018,<ref>{{cite news|title=SAFF Cup 2018: Youthfull India to face Maldives|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/saff-cup-2018-youthful-india-to-face-maldives|access-date=6 January 2019|work=Sportskeeda|date=9 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107072326/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/saff-cup-2018-youthful-india-to-face-maldives|archive-date=7 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> India regained the momentum with some friendlies against [[China national football team|China]], [[Jordan national football team|Jordan]] and [[Oman national football team|Oman]] as they began the [[2019 AFC Asian Cup]] with a 4–1 victory against [[Thailand national football team|Thailand]]; this was their biggest ever win at the Asia Cup, and their first in 55 years.<ref>{{cite news|title=Group A: Thailand 1-4 India|url=http://www.the-afc.com/asiancup/news/group-a-thailand-1-4-india|access-date=6 January 2019|work=The AFC.com|date=6 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106193050/http://www.the-afc.com/asiancup/news/group-a-thailand-1-4-india|archive-date=6 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=AFC Asian Cup 2019: Thailand 1-4 India, Player Ratings|url=https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/afc-asian-cup/1013371/afc-asian-cup-2019-thailand-1-4-india-player-ratings/|access-date=6 January 2019|work=FOX Sports Asia|date=6 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107072227/https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/afc-asian-cup/1013371/afc-asian-cup-2019-thailand-1-4-india-player-ratings/|archive-date=7 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Nevertheless, they lost both of their next two group matches against [[United Arab Emirates national football team|UAE]] and [[Bahrain national football team|Bahrain]] by 0−2 and 0−1 respectively<ref>{{cite web |title=UAE Steal India'S Thunder |date=10 January 2019 |url=https://the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9421 |website=the-aiff.com |publisher=AIFF |access-date=14 January 2019 |archive-date=3 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703201619/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/uae-steal-indias-thunder |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, India vs Bahrain |url=http://stats.the-afc.com/match_report/13260 |website=the-afc.com |publisher=AFC |access-date=14 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190118014146/http://stats.the-afc.com/match_report/13260 |archive-date=18 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> and finished at the bottom of the group, thus failed to move to knock out stage.<ref name="India 2019 AFC">{{cite web |author=Ishfaq Ahmed, Shiddant Aney, Vaibhav Raghunandan|title=India Lose to Bahrain, Crash Out of AFC Asian Cup - Highlights and Analysis |date=14 January 2019|url=https://www.newsclick.in/india-vs-bahrain-afc-asian-cup-live-football-score-live-updates-ind-verge-history |website=newsclick.in |access-date=14 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115023439/https://www.newsclick.in/india-vs-bahrain-afc-asian-cup-live-football-score-live-updates-ind-verge-history |archive-date=15 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Stephen Constantine]] immediately resigned from his position as head coach following the failure to progress further in the tournament.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/afc-asian-cup/1019451/breaking-indian-head-coach-stephen-constantine-resigns-after-afc-asian-cup-exit/|title=Breaking: Indian head coach Stephen Constantine resigns after AFC Asian Cup exit|date=15 January 2019|website=FOX Sports Asia|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115023657/https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/afc-asian-cup/1019451/breaking-indian-head-coach-stephen-constantine-resigns-after-afc-asian-cup-exit/|archive-date=15 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
-On 15 May 2019, the [[All India Football Federation|AIFF]] announced former [[Croatia national football team|Croatian]] player and coach [[Igor Štimac]] as the team's head coach after the departure of [[Stephen Constantine]].<ref>{{cite web|title=AIFF appoint's Igor Štimac as men's team head coach|date=15 May 2019|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9674|publisher=AIFF|access-date=15 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122155841/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9674|archive-date=22 November 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> His first major assignment with India was [[2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Second Round|2022 World Cup qualification]], where it began with a 1–2 home loss to [[Oman national football team|Oman]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Late Oman comeback sinks India |date=5 September 2019|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9899 |publisher=AIFF |access-date=8 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122155347/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9899|archive-date=22 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> But in the second match they earned a respectable point after managing a goalless draw against the [[2019 AFC Asian Cup Final|2019 Asian Champion]] and [[2022 FIFA World Cup]] host [[Qatar national football team|Qatar]].<ref>{{cite web|title=India holds Asian champion Qatar to goalless draw|date=11 September 2019|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9912|publisher=AIFF|access-date=8 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122155136/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9912|archive-date=22 November 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, in the third match, the [[Two-legged tie|home leg]] against [[Bangladesh national football team|Bangladesh]] saw them managing a disappointing 1−1 draw.<ref>{{cite web |title=India, Bangladesh play out a draw out in World Cup qualifier |date=15 October 2019|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9981 |publisher=AIFF |access-date=15 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122154445/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9981|archive-date=22 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> A similar result was repeated in the [[Two-legged tie|away leg]] against [[Afghanistan national football team|Afghanistan]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Super sub Doungel helps Blue Tigers earns a point in Dushanbe |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=10027 |access-date=16 November 2019 |publisher=AIFF |date=14 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122154415/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=10027|archive-date=22 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In the away leg, India lost yet again to Oman by a solitary goal, thus shortening their hopes to qualify for the next round.<ref>{{cite web |title=India go down by a solitary goal in Muscat |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=10041 |publisher=AIFF |access-date=22 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122153530/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=10041|archive-date=22 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> After several postponements due to [[COVID-19]], the team finally flew to [[Doha]] to play their remainder of games. In the return leg against Qatar, India went down to the hosts with a single goal and got knocked out of the world cup qualification contention with two games to spare. The team then made a comeback by winning their next match against Bangladesh with 2–0, and ended their campaign with a 1–1 draw against Afghanistan. With seven points in total, India finished third on the table behind Qatar and Oman, thus getting eliminated from the [[2022 FIFA World Cup|world cup]] during the [[2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Second Round|second]] round. However they were qualified into the [[2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Third Round|third round]] of [[2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-06-15|title=India vs Afghanistan Highlights: Blue Tigers bag a point, qualify for 3rd round of 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/india-vs-afghanistan-live-score-streaming-7360158/|access-date=2021-06-15|website=The Indian Express|language=en|archive-date=28 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628193659/https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/india-vs-afghanistan-live-score-streaming-7360158/|url-status=live}}</ref>
-==Team image==
-===Nicknames===
-India is officially known by the nickname '' 'Blue Tigers' '' since 2013. It is adopted from the colour [[Blue]] which forms the major colour of India's home kit (similar to the Indian national teams of other sports) and the [[Tiger]] which is the national animal of India.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.topendsports.com/sport/soccer/team-nicknames.htm|title=Football (Soccer) Team Nicknames|website=Topendsports|access-date=5 June 2021|archive-date=13 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813111201/http://www.topendsports.com/sport/soccer/team-nicknames.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/why-are-indian-cricket-team-hockey-team-and-other-sport-jerseys-blue-in-colour|title=Why are Indian Cricket Team, Hockey Team and other sport jerseys blue in colour?|publisher=Sportkeeda|date=1 April 2016|access-date=5 June 2021|archive-date=4 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604095341/https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/why-are-indian-cricket-team-hockey-team-and-other-sport-jerseys-blue-in-colour|url-status=live}}</ref>
-Prior to being nicknamed as Blue Tigers, the team was known as 'Bhangra Boys'. The old nickname came about during the friendly match between India and [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] on July 26, 2000.<ref name ="nickname">{{cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/sports/why-was-team-india-once-nicknamed-bhangra-boys|title=Why was team India once nicknamed Bhangra Boys|publisher=Sportkeeda|date=20 March 2019|access-date=5 June 2021|archive-date=4 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604093730/https://www.sportskeeda.com/sports/why-was-team-india-once-nicknamed-bhangra-boys|url-status=live}}</ref> The crowd consisting mostly of Indian or Indian origin fans created a great atmosphere with drums and [[dhol]]s to cheer India until the final scoreline of 0–0. That night the term the '' 'Bhangra Boys' '' was born and over those three tours it became India's nickname with which the fans could identify. Especially in 2002 when India took on [[Jamaica national football team|Jamaica]] in a tour which was named the Reggae Boyz vs the Bhangra Boys in the JamIn Tour.<ref name ="nickname" />
-===Kit and colours===
-{{See also|History of the India national football team#Kit history|l1=Kit history}}
-[[File:India NT Jersey Blue shades.jpg|upright=0.9|left|thumb|alt=|India national team jerseys with different shades of blue used in different occasions.]]
-The success of the [[India national cricket team|India cricket team]] and [[India men's national field hockey team|field hockey]] teams in blue jerseys made the colour more prominent. The football team, however, has used some sort of shade of blue for decades.<ref name="SK1">{{cite news |last1=Bharali |first1=Abhijit |title=The evolution of the Indian football team jersey over the years |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/the-evolution-of-the-india-football-team-jersey-over-the-years-aiff-blue-tigers-nike-adidas |access-date=13 December 2018 |work=SportsKeeda |date=16 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020095025/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/the-evolution-of-the-india-football-team-jersey-over-the-years-aiff-blue-tigers-nike-adidas |archive-date=20 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-At the turn of the 21st century, India wore a sky blue shirt with black shorts and sky blue socks as their kit.<ref name="SK1"/> In 2002, the [[All India Football Federation]] signed a deal with German manufacturer [[Adidas]] to produce the India kit.<ref name="SK2">{{cite news |title=The evolution of the Indian football team jersey over the years |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/the-evolution-of-the-india-football-team-jersey-over-the-years-aiff-blue-tigers-nike-adidas/2 |access-date=13 December 2018 |work=SportsKeeda |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908092847/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/the-evolution-of-the-india-football-team-jersey-over-the-years-aiff-blue-tigers-nike-adidas/2 |archive-date=8 September 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> The first kit made by Adidas was all-white.<ref name="SK2"/> After four years with Adidas, the AIFF signed an agreement for seven years with American company [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] on 27 February 2006.<ref name="HTK">{{cite news |title=Nike to sponsor Indian football team |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/nike-to-sponsor-indian-football-team/story-yMvyg4nWgfSVx91h9zRcPN.html |access-date=13 December 2018 |work=Hindustan Times |date=27 February 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908092748/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/nike-to-sponsor-indian-football-team/story-yMvyg4nWgfSVx91h9zRcPN.html |archive-date=8 September 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Nike's first kits for India were in darker blue while the away kit was changed from white to orange.<ref name="SK3">{{cite news |title=The evolution of the Indian football team jersey over the years |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/the-evolution-of-the-india-football-team-jersey-over-the-years-aiff-blue-tigers-nike-adidas/3 |access-date=13 December 2018 |work=SportsKeeda |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020095027/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/the-evolution-of-the-india-football-team-jersey-over-the-years-aiff-blue-tigers-nike-adidas/3 |archive-date=20 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>[[File:Indian Team.JPG|upright=1.2|right|thumb|alt=Photo of eleven men, six standing and five kneeling down, inside a stadium|India in 2007, wearing their traditional blue jersey.|200px]] For the [[2011 AFC Asian Cup]], in which India were participating, Nike designed India's kit using the same template it used for other national teams such as [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sengupta |first1=Rahul |title=Indian National Team: Nike India Introduces 2010 National Team Kit For The Indian Football Team |url=https://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2696/indian-national-team/2010/09/06/2105985/indian-national-team-nike-india-introduces-2010-national |access-date=13 December 2018 |work=Goal.com |date=6 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214182458/https://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2696/indian-national-team/2010/09/06/2105985/indian-national-team-nike-india-introduces-2010-national |archive-date=14 December 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2013. it was announced that the AIFF's deal with Nike was extended for an extra five years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/nike-unveils-indian-national-football-team-kit|title=Nike unveils Indian national football team kit:AIFF.com|access-date=9 March 2021|archive-date=3 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703201635/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/nike-unveils-indian-national-football-team-kit|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2017, prior to the [[India national under-17 football team|India U17]] side's participation in the [[2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup|FIFA U-17 World Cup]], Nike unveiled an all sky blue kit for the India senior and youth teams.<ref>{{cite news |title=India's New Football Kit Sets Blue Tigers Up to Create History |url=https://news.nike.com/news/india-football-kit |access-date=13 December 2018 |work=Nike |date=7 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023054617/https://news.nike.com/news/india-football-kit |archive-date=23 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> A year later, on 17 December 2018, it was announced that Indian manufacturer [[SIX5SIX]] would replace Nike as India's kit maker.<ref name="Six5Six">{{cite news |last1=Laghate |first1=Gaurav |title=Six5Six to replace Nike as Indian football's kit sponsor |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/six5six-to-replace-nike-as-indian-footballs-kit-sponsor/articleshow/67132557.cms |access-date=20 December 2018 |work=Economic Times |date=17 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220234930/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/six5six-to-replace-nike-as-indian-footballs-kit-sponsor/articleshow/67132557.cms |archive-date=20 December 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> In becoming India's new kit makers, Six5Six also became the first manufacturer to pay for the rights to produce India kits, after both Nike and Adidas didn't pay.<ref name="Six5Six"/> Six5Six unveiled their first jerseys for the team before the [[2019 AFC Asian Cup]],<ref>{{cite web |title=NEW YEAR, NEW KIT FOR INDIAN FOOTBALL |url=https://the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9363 |website=the-aiff.com |publisher=AIFF |access-date=19 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220234917/https://the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9363 |archive-date=20 December 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> from which the home colour had a similar sky blue shade and the away colour was changed to white from orange. Both jerseys had a unique design embellished on the sleeves representing tiger stripes to pay homage to the Indian football fans, who affectionately calls the team "Blue Tigers".<ref>{{cite web |title=AFC Asian Cup 2019: India national team kit and price revealed |url=https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/afc-asian-cup/1002013/afc-asian-cup-2019-india-national-team-kit-and-price-revealed/ |website=foxsportsasia.com |publisher=Fox Sports |access-date=19 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220231655/https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/afc-asian-cup/1002013/afc-asian-cup-2019-india-national-team-kit-and-price-revealed/ |archive-date=20 December 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-===Home stadiums===
-{{See also|History of the India national football team#Home Stadiums|l1=Home Stadiums}}
-{{multiple image
-| align = right
-| direction = horizontal
-| image1 = Salt lake Stadium, Kolkata.jpg
-| width1 = 180
-| alt1 = Aerial photo of packed stadium
-| image2 = IndiavsSyria Nehru Cup-2007.jpg
-| width2 = 180
-| alt2 = Stadium interior, photographed from the grandstand
-| footer = The [[Salt Lake Stadium]] in [[Kolkata]] ''(left)'' and the [[Ambedkar Stadium]] in [[Delhi]]
-| total_width =
-| caption1 =
-| caption2 =
-}}
-Numerous venues around India have hosted home matches for the national team. There is no specific home ground for the India national team. India matches have been played at stadiums such as the [[Salt Lake Stadium]] in [[Kolkata]], the [[Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Delhi)|Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium]] in [[Delhi]], the [[Fatorda Stadium]] in [[Margao]], the [[Sree Kanteerava Stadium]] in [[Bangalore]], the [[Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Kochi)|Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium]] in [[Kochi]], the [[Mumbai Football Arena]] in [[Mumbai]], the [[Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium]] in [[Guwahati]] and the [[The Arena (Ahmedabad)|EKA Arena]] in [[Ahmedabad]].<ref>{{cite web |title=2011 SAFF Championship Stadium Guide: New Delhi – Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium |url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2773/saff-championship/2011/12/01/2781850/2011-saff-championship-stadium-guide-new-delhi-jawaharlal |website=goal.com |publisher=goal.com India |access-date=16 September 2018 |ref=JLN Stadium |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915042350/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2773/saff-championship/2011/12/01/2781850/2011-saff-championship-stadium-guide-new-delhi-jawaharlal |archive-date=15 September 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sunil Chhetri strikes brace as India beat Malaysia 3-2 in international friendly |url=http://post.jagran.com/sunil-chhetri-strikes-brace-as-india-beat-malaysia-32-in-international-friendly-1321467694|work=Jagran Post|access-date=16 September 2018 |ref=Salt Lake Stadium |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915042534/http://post.jagran.com/sunil-chhetri-strikes-brace-as-india-beat-malaysia-32-in-international-friendly-1321467694 |archive-date=15 September 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=India vs Nepal at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=275167/match=300311249/index.html#nosticky |website=fifa.com |publisher=FIFA |access-date=17 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017083214/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=275167/match=300311249/index.html#nosticky |archive-date=17 October 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=India vs Iran at Sree Kranteerava Stadium |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=275171/match=300317458/index.html |website=fifa.com |publisher=FIFA |access-date=16 September 2018 |ref=Kranteerava Stadium |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915042534/https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=275171/match=300317458/index.html |archive-date=15 September 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=FIVE-STAR INDIA EASE PAST CHINESE TAIPEI |url=https://the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=8982 |website=the-aiff.com |publisher=AIFF |access-date=16 September 2018 |ref=Mumbai Arena |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612150435/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=8982 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-In recent times, competitions like [[2011 SAFF Championship]] and [[2012 Nehru Cup]] were held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi, the [[2015 SAFF Championship]] at [[Trivandrum International Stadium]], [[2017 Hero Tri-Nation Series]] & [[2018 Intercontinental Cup (India)|2018 Intercontinental Cup]] at Mumbai Football Arena and [[2019 Intercontinental Cup (India)|2019 Intercontinental Cup]] at the EKA Arena. Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Sree Kanteerava Stadium and Fatorda stadium have seen [[AFC Asian Cup]] and [[FIFA World Cup]] qualifiers.<ref>{{cite web |title=India at the SAFF Cup |url=http://www.wifa.in/india-at-the-saff-cup/ |website=wifa.in |publisher=WIFA |access-date=12 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112150308/http://www.wifa.in/india-at-the-saff-cup/ |archive-date=12 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=India win 2012 Nehru Cup |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/photos/india-win-2012-nehru-cup/photostory/16227789.cms |website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com |publisher=TOI |access-date=12 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190304083454/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/photos/india-win-2012-nehru-cup/photostory/16227789.cms |archive-date=4 March 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=India wins 2015 SAFF Cup: Who said what |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/india-wins-2015-saff-cup-who-said-what |website=sportskeeda.com |publisher=Sportskeeda |access-date=12 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112194929/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/india-wins-2015-saff-cup-who-said-what |archive-date=12 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=INDIA ARE HERO TRI-NATION FOOTBALL SERIES 2017 CHAMPIONS |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=8405 |website=the-aiff.com |publisher=AIFF |access-date=12 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902085649/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=8405 |archive-date=2 September 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=OUR PRIMARY TARGET IS TO WIN THE TOURNAMENT: CONSTANTINE |url=https://the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9002 |website=the-aiff.com |publisher=AIFF |access-date=12 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190206134855/https://the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9002 |archive-date=6 February 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=AFC ASIAN CUP UAE 2019 |url=http://cms.the-afc.com/afcasfeeds?fixtureid=11142&stageid=432&tMode=H&view=ajax&show=matchsummary |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322204704/http://cms.the-afc.com/afcasfeeds?fixtureid=11142&stageid=432&tMode=H&view=ajax&show=matchsummary |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 March 2018 |website=the-afc.com |publisher=AFC |access-date=12 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The experienced duo of Sunil Chhetri and Clifford Miranda were on target as India beat Nepal 2-0 in a comfortable win |url=https://www.goal.com/en-india/match/125247/india-vs-nepal/report |website=goal.com |publisher=GOAL |access-date=12 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112151520/https://www.goal.com/en-india/match/125247/india-vs-nepal/report |archive-date=12 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-===Supporters===
-{{see also|Blue Pilgrims}}
-[[File:Blue Pilgrims at Mumbai 2018 to support India national football team.jpg|200px|thumb|left|alt=|Blue Pilgrims, 2018, displaying tri-colour and their banners]]
-Till the 21st century, the Indian football fans were mostly scattered, being widely based in [[West Bengal]], [[North-East India]], [[Goa]] and [[Kerala]].<ref name="supporters 1">{{cite web |title=Can Indian football make it to the top league? |url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/can-indian-football-make-it-to-the-top-league/article24281691.ece |work=The Hindu|access-date=8 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705163221/https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/can-indian-football-make-it-to-the-top-league/article24281691.ece |archive-date=5 July 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Fifa World Cup 2018: Which Indian state watches football extravaganza the most? |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/fifa-world-cup-2018-which-indian-state-watches-football-extravaganza-most-774128 |work=IB Times|access-date=13 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114153251/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/fifa-world-cup-2018-which-indian-state-watches-football-extravaganza-most-774128 |archive-date=14 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=World Cup 2018: Sorry, Bengalis. You are not India's greatest football fans |url=https://www.dailyo.in/variety/world-cup-2018-russia-the-beautiful-game-begins-bengalis-fighting-football-frenzy-northeast-kerala-goa-mo-salah/story/1/24877.html |publisher=Daily O |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112095016/https://www.dailyo.in/variety/world-cup-2018-russia-the-beautiful-game-begins-bengalis-fighting-football-frenzy-northeast-kerala-goa-mo-salah/story/1/24877.html |archive-date=12 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bend it like Bengal: Every four years, the cup comes home |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/bend-it-like-bengal-every-four-years-the-cup-comes-home/article24358647.ece |work=The Hindu|access-date=13 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708180110/https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/bend-it-like-bengal-every-four-years-the-cup-comes-home/article24358647.ece |archive-date=8 July 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Kolkata reinstated as the 'Mecca of Indian football' |url=https://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2292/editorials/2015/06/02/12315232/kolkata-reinstated-as-the-mecca-of-indian-football |website=goal.com |publisher=GOAL |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112145941/https://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2292/editorials/2015/06/02/12315232/kolkata-reinstated-as-the-mecca-of-indian-football |archive-date=12 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Other than matches in [[Asian Games]], [[Nehru Cup]] or [[SAFF Championship]],<ref>{{cite web |title=India win Nehru Cup for the thrd time |url=http://the-aiff.com/pages/news/index.php?N_Id=3279 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104231557/http://the-aiff.com/pages/news/index.php?N_Id=3279 |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 January 2013 |website=the-aiff.com |publisher=AIFF |access-date=11 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Basu |first1=Jaydeep |title=Bhaichung leads dazzling display - Nehru Cup - India demolish Kyrgyzstan 3-0 to make final for first time |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/sport/bhaichung-leads-dazzling-display-nehru-cup-india-demolish-kyrgyzstan-3-0-to-make-final-for-first-time/cid/1071100 |access-date=13 December 2018 |work=Telegraph India |date=27 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214164410/https://www.telegraphindia.com/sport/bhaichung-leads-dazzling-display-nehru-cup-india-demolish-kyrgyzstan-3-0-to-make-final-for-first-time/cid/1071100 |archive-date=14 December 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=SAFF Cup: India beat Afghanistan 2-1 in final to lift title for seventh time |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/saff-cup-india-beat-afghanistan-2-1-in-final-to-lift-title-for-seventh-time/ |access-date=13 December 2018 |work=Indian Express |date=3 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214164314/https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/saff-cup-india-beat-afghanistan-2-1-in-final-to-lift-title-for-seventh-time/ |archive-date=14 December 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> the crowd showed up in small numbers when the team played as the fans were not organised under any single banner as happens in Europe or South America. Fans of different clubs used to support the team in their respective local venues but were not grouped together to support a single cause, that of the national team, until 2017 when ''"Blue Pilgrims"'' was established as the first organised fan club for the national team.<ref name="bluepilgrims website">{{cite web |title=About Us-Introduction to BluePilgrims |url=https://bluepilgrims.com/ |website=bluepilgrims.com |publisher=Blue Pilgrims |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112194943/https://bluepilgrims.com/ |archive-date=12 January 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="bluepilgrims sportskeeda">{{cite web |title=Indian national football teams to have dedicated fan base named 'Blue Pilgrims |date=3 October 2017|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/indian-national-football-team-to-have-dedicated-fan-base-named-blue-pilgrims |website=www.sportskeeda.com |access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref><ref name="aiff bluepilgrims">{{cite web |title=Blue Tigers find support in Blue Pilgrims |date= 2 October 2017|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=8497 |website=the-aiff.com |publisher=AIFF |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112054142/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=8497 |archive-date=12 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Blue Pilgrims are delighted to announce further collaborations for the game vs Bangladesh in VYBK |date=22 September 2019 |url=https://twitter.com/BluePilgrims/status/1175701333757714432 |work=Blue Pilgrims |publisher=Twitter |access-date=2 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922092734/https://twitter.com/BluePilgrims/status/1175701333757714432 |archive-date=22 September 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-The Blue Pilgrims formed with a motive to support the national team and the [[India national under-17 football team|U-17 team]] during the historic [[2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup|2017 U17 World Cup]],<ref name="AA BP">{{cite web |title=Blue Pilgrims right behind Men in Blues |url=http://www.asianage.com/sports/football/030618/blue-pilgrims-right-behind-men-in-blues.html |publisher=Asian Age |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112150039/http://www.asianage.com/sports/football/030618/blue-pilgrims-right-behind-men-in-blues.html |archive-date=12 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> India's first ever FIFA competition participation. Started with 300 odd fans,<ref name="12thman">{{cite web |title=Blue Pilgrims, the 12th man of Indian football |date=29 November 2017|url=https://www.redbull.com/in-en/indian-footballs-12th-man-the-blue-pilgrims |website=redbull.com |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112150201/https://www.redbull.com/in-en/indian-footballs-12th-man-the-blue-pilgrims |archive-date=12 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="AA BP"/> now they are in thousands as a unification of fans from different regions with different allegiances came together for just one cause, the Blue Tigers.<ref name="bluepilgrims website"/><ref name="bluepilgrims sportskeeda"/> They call themselves the devotees of the Blue Tigers,<ref name="bluepilgrims sportskeeda"/><ref name="aiff bluepilgrims"/> and their motto is to support India national football teams of all gender and age, wherever they play<ref name="bluepilgrims website"/><ref name="bluepilgrims sportskeeda"/> and for such dedication they are called as the [[12th man (football)|12th man]] of the team.<ref name="12thman"/><ref name="AA BP"/>
-[[File:BlueTiger tifo BluePilgrims 2018.jpg|200px|thumb|right|alt=|The 3D Blue Tiger tifo displayed by Blue Pilgrims in June 2018]]
-The Blue Pilgrims's most common chants are: ''"Oh India!"'', ''"In Unity we stand"'', ''"Oh India we stand for you!"'', ''"[[Vande Mataram (album)|Vande Mataram]]"''.<ref name="slogans&chants">{{cite web |title=List of Blue Pilgrims chants (with lyrics) Part 1 |date=25 September 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ0k82ORfs0 |work=Indian football Ultras |publisher=[[YouTube]] |access-date=2 October 2019 |archive-date=3 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703201813/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ0k82ORfs0 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=List of Blue Pilgrims chants (with lyrics) Part 2 |date=25 September 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ0k82ORfs0 |work=Indian football Ultras |publisher=[[YouTube]] |access-date=2 October 2019 |archive-date=3 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703201928/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ0k82ORfs0 |url-status=live }}</ref> Their sports anthems are ''"[[When the Saints Go Marching In (sports anthem)|Oh when the blues go marching in, I wanna be in that number!]]"'' and ''"[[We Shall Overcome#Widespread adaptation|Hum honge kaamyab]]"'' (We shall overcome).<ref name="12thman"/> Since its formation, the Blue Pilgrims use to celebrate after every match with [[Viking Thunder Clap|Viking clap]] with the national team members.<ref name="viking clap and tifo">{{cite web |title=Intercontinental Cup 2018: 5 Things India gained from the Intercontinental Cup |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/intercontinental-cup-2018-5-things-india-gained-from-the-intercontinental-cup |website=sportskeeda.com |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112044301/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/intercontinental-cup-2018-5-things-india-gained-from-the-intercontinental-cup |archive-date=12 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Watch: Sunil Chhetri leads incredible Viking clap with Indian fans post Thailand AFC Asian Cup win |url=https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/afc-asian-cup/1013411/watch-sunil-chhetri-leads-incredible-viking-clap-with-indian-fans-post-thailand-afc-asian-cup-win/ |publisher=Fox Sports Asia |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112044609/https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/afc-asian-cup/1013411/watch-sunil-chhetri-leads-incredible-viking-clap-with-indian-fans-post-thailand-afc-asian-cup-win/ |archive-date=12 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Fans of the India national team display the country's tricolour [[Flag of India|National flag]] and also wear blue jerseys in solidarity with the team. They used to display their banner ''Blue Pilgrims'' along with ''"Inquilab-e-Indian football"'' (Revolution of Indian football)<ref name="bluepilgrims website"/><ref name="bluepilgrims sportskeeda"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Inquilab-e-Indian football |url=https://twitter.com/BluePilgrims/status/916981142229680128 |publisher=Blue Pilgrims |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724060707/https://twitter.com/BluePilgrims/status/916981142229680128 |archive-date=24 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> and often shout their common slogan, ''We love you, wherever you go, we follow!"''.<ref name="slogans&chants"/> On 2 June 2018, the then captain [[Sunil Chhetri]] posted a video on social media. In his video he urged the fans to come out at Mumbai to support the team after a poor crowd appearance of only 2569 at a match against [[Chinese Taipei national football team|Chinese Taipei]] in the [[2018 Intercontinental Cup (India)|2018 Intercontinental Cup]]. India achieved a massive victory in that match, winning by 5−0 with Chhetri scoring a hat-trick, but there were very few people present to celebrate.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sunil Chhetri's plea to Indian fans marked as Golden Tweet by Twitter India |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/football/story/sunil-chhetri-plea-indian-fans-golden-tweet-twitter-india-1403543-2018-12-06 |website=indiatoday.in |publisher=India Today |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112095027/https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/football/story/sunil-chhetri-plea-indian-fans-golden-tweet-twitter-india-1403543-2018-12-06 |archive-date=12 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="chhetri tweet ET">{{cite web |title=Chhetri called and the Indian football fans answered |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/chhetri-called-and-the-indian-football-fans-answered/articleshow/64472445.cms |work= The Economic Times|access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112045807/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/chhetri-called-and-the-indian-football-fans-answered/articleshow/64472445.cms |archive-date=12 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Responding to the captain's call, the Blue Pilgrims and football supporters including the fan clubs like [[Manjappada]], West Block Blues and [[East Bengal Ultras]] made sure that the stadiums were full during the next few matches.<ref name="chhetri tweet ET"/><ref>{{cite web|title=After Sunil Chhetri's plea, tickets for India game sold out|date=4 June 2018|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/after-sunil-chhetris-plea-tickets-for-india-game-sold-out/article24079933.ece|work=The Hindu|access-date=11 January 2019|archive-date=3 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703201610/https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/after-sunil-chhetris-plea-tickets-for-india-game-sold-out/article24079933.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> In the final of that tournament, the Blue Pilgrims displayed a {{cvt|30|ft|adj=on}} tall 3D [[tifo]] of a Blue Tiger, the first ever in the team's history.<ref name="viking clap and tifo"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Blue Pilgrims plans 3D tifo display for Chhetri and co. |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/blue-pilgrims-plan-something-huge-for-chhetri-and-co/article24127542.ece|work=The Hindu|access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714034810/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/blue-pilgrims-plan-something-huge-for-chhetri-and-co/article24127542.ece |archive-date=14 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=From a handful to plenty |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/viral-and-trending/120618/from-a-handful-to-plenty.html |publisher=Deccan Chronicles |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112044956/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/viral-and-trending/120618/from-a-handful-to-plenty.html |archive-date=12 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-===Media coverage===
-{{See|Football broadcast in India}}
-India's competitive international games are covered on television by [[Star Sports (Indian TV network)|Star Sports]] and on its [[Over-the-top media service|OTT service]], [[Hotstar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/indias-international-footballing-fixtures-to-be-broadcast-live-on-star-sports|title=India's international footballing fixtures to be broadcast live on Star Sports|publisher=AIFF|date=23 May 2017|access-date=11 June 2021|archive-date=11 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611082436/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/indias-international-footballing-fixtures-to-be-broadcast-live-on-star-sports|url-status=live}}</ref> Prior to this deal, the [[All India Football Federation|AIFF]] had struck a ten-year deal with [[Sony Ten|Zee Sports]] in 2006 to broadcast Indian national team's games on its channel with the initiative of '' 'Goal 2010' ''. The aim of this whole exercise was to help India qualify for the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bizasialive.com/zee-sports-readies-india-football-team-for-2010/|title=ZEE Sports readies Indian football team for 2010|publisher=Biz Asia Live|date=30 June 2006|access-date=11 June 2021|archive-date=11 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611084737/https://www.bizasialive.com/zee-sports-readies-india-football-team-for-2010/|url-status=live}}</ref>
-==Results and fixtures==
-{{main|India national football team results|India national football team results (2020–present)}}
-===Matches===
-The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
-====2021====
-{{footballbox collapsible
-|format=
-|round      = [[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
-|date       = {{Start date|2021|03|25|df=y}}
-|time       = 17:45
-[[UTC+04:00|UTC+4:00]]
-|team1      = {{fb-rt|OMA}}
-|score      = 1–1
-|report     = https://www.the-aiff.com/match-center/nt/172
-|team2      = {{fb|IND}}
-|goals1     =
-*[[Amrinder Singh|A. Singh]] {{goal|43|o.g.}}
-|goals2     =
-*[[Manvir Singh (footballer, born 1995)|M. Singh]] {{goal|55}}
-|stadium    = [[Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium|Maktoom Bin Rashid]]
-|location   = [[Dubai]], United Arab Emirates
-|attendance =
-|referee    =
-|result     = D
-}}
-{{footballbox collapsible
-|format=
-|round      = [[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
-|date       = {{Start date|2021|03|29|df=y}}
-|time       = 19:00
-[[UTC+04:00|UTC+4:00]]
-|team1      = {{fb-rt|UAE}}
-|score      = 6–0
-|report     = https://www.the-aiff.com/match-center/nt/174
-|team2      = {{fb|IND}}
-|goals1     = *[[Ali Mabkhout|Mabkhout]] {{goal|12||32|pen.|60}}<br />[[Khalil Ibrahim (footballer)|Ibrahim]] {{goal|64}}<br />[[Fábio Virginio de Lima|de Lima]] {{goal|71}}<br />[[Sebastián Tagliabué|Tagliabué]] {{goal|84}}
-|goals2     =
-|stadium    = [[Zabeel Stadium|Zabeel]]
-|location   = [[Dubai]], United Arab Emirates
-|attendance =
-|referee    =
-|result     = L
-}}
-{{Footballbox collapsible
-|format     =
-|round      = [[2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Second Round#Group E|2022 AFC WC Q]]
-|date       = {{Start date|2021|06|03|df=y}}
-|time       = 22:30 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
-|team1      = {{fb-rt|IND}}
-|score      = 0–1
-|report     = https://www.the-aiff.com/match-center/nt/178
-|team2      = {{fb|QAT}}
-|goals1     = [[Rahul Bheke|Bheke]] {{sent off|2|9|17}}
-|goals2     =
-*[[Abdulaziz Hatem|Hatem]] {{goal|33}}
-|stadium    = [[Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium]]
-|location   = [[Doha]], Qatar
-|attendance =
-|referee    = [[Ma Ning]] ([[Chinese Football Association|China]])
-|result     = L
-}}
-{{footballbox collapsible
-|format     =
-|round      = [[2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Second Round#Group E|2022 AFC WC Q]]
-|date       = {{Start date|2021|06|07|df=y}}
-|time       = 19:30 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
-|team1      = {{fb-rt|BAN}}
-|score      = 0–2
-|report     = https://www.the-aiff.com/match-center/nt/179
-|team2      = {{fb|IND}}
-|goals1     =
-|goals2     =
-*[[Sunil Chhetri|Chhetri]] {{goal|79||90+2}}
-|stadium    = [[Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium]]
-|location   = [[Doha]], Qatar
-|attendance =
-|referee    = Zaid Thamer Mohammed ([[Iraq Football Association|Iraq]])
-|result     = W
-}}
-{{footballbox collapsible
-|format     =
-|round      = [[2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Second Round#Group E|2022 AFC WC Q]]
-|date       = {{Start date|2021|06|15|df=y}}
-|time       = 19:30 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
-|team1      = {{fb-rt|IND}}
-|score      = 1–1
-|report     = https://www.the-aiff.com/match-center/nt/180
-|team2      = {{fb|AFG|2013}}
-|goals1     =
-*[[Ovays Azizi|Azizi]] {{goal|75|o.g.}}
-|goals2     =
-*[[Hossein Zamani|Zamani]] {{goal|82}}
-|stadium    = [[Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium]]
-|location   = [[Doha]], Qatar
-|attendance =
-|referee    = Ali Reda ([[Lebanese Football Association|Lebanon]])
-|result     = D
-}}
-{{footballbox collapsible
-|format     =
-|round      = [[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
-|date       = {{Start date|2021|09|02|df=y}}
-|time       = 17:30
-[[UTC+05:45|UTC+5:45]]
-|team1      = {{fb-rt|NEP}}
-|score      = 1–1
-|report     = https://www.the-aiff.com/match-center/nt/183
-|team2      = {{fb|IND}}
-|goals1     =
-*[[Anjan Bista|Bista]] {{goal|36}}
-|goals2     =
-*[[Anirudh Thapa|Thapa]] {{goal|60}}
-|stadium    = [[Dasharath Rangasala]]
-|location   = [[Kathmandu]], Nepal
-|attendance =
-|referee    =
-|result     = D
-}}
-{{footballbox collapsible
-|format     =
-|round      = [[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
-|date       = {{Start date|2021|09|05|df=y}}
-|time       = 17:30
-[[UTC+05:45|UTC+5:45]]
-|team1      = {{fb-rt|NEP}}
-|score      = 1–2
-|report     = https://www.the-aiff.com/match-center/nt/184
-|team2      = {{fb|IND}}
-|goals1     = Tamang {{goal|87}}
-|goals2     = [[Farukh Choudhary|Choudhary]] {{goal|62}}<br> [[Sunil Chhetri|Chhetri]] {{goal|80}}
-|stadium    = [[Dasharath Rangasala]]
-|location   = [[Kathmandu]], Nepal
-|attendance =
-|referee    =
-|result     = W
-}}
-{{footballbox collapsible
-|format     =
-|round      = [[2021 SAFF Championship|SAFF G.S.]]
-|date       = {{Start date|2021|10|4|df=y}}
-|time       = 16:00
-[[UTC+05:00|UTC+5:00]]
-|team1      = {{fb-rt|BAN}}
-|score      = 1–1
-|report     = https://www.the-aiff.com/match-center/nt/186
-|team2      = {{fb|IND}}
-|goals1     = [[Yeasin Arafat (footballer)|Arafat]] {{goal|74}}
-|goals2     = [[Sunil Chhetri|Chhetri]] {{goal|26}}
-|stadium    = [[National Football Stadium (Maldives)|National Football Stadium]]
-|location   = [[Malé]], Maldives
-|attendance =
-|referee    = Majed Al-Shamrani ([[Saudi Arabian Football Federation|Saudi Arabia]])
-|result     = D
-}}
-{{footballbox collapsible
-|format     =
-|round      = [[2021 SAFF Championship|SAFF G.S.]]
-|date       = {{Start date|2021|10|7|df=y}}
-|time       = 16:00
-[[UTC+05:00|UTC+5:00]]
-|team1      = {{fb-rt|IND}}
-|score      = 0–0
-|report     = https://www.the-aiff.com/match-center/nt/187
-|team2      = {{fb|SRI}}
-|goals1     =
-|goals2     =
-|stadium    = [[National Football Stadium (Maldives)|National Football Stadium]]
-|location   = [[Malé]], Maldives
-|attendance =
-|referee    = Sajëçon Zajniddinov ([[Tajikistan Football Federation|Tajikistan]])
-|result     = D
-}}
-{{footballbox collapsible
-|format     =
-|round      = [[2021 SAFF Championship|SAFF G.S.]]
-|date       = {{Start date|2021|10|10|df=y}}
-|time       = 21:00
-[[UTC+05:00|UTC+5:00]]
-|team1      = {{fb-rt|NEP}}
-|score      = 0–1
-|report     = https://www.the-aiff.com/match-center/nt/188
-|team2      = {{fb|IND}}
-|goals1     =
-|goals2     = [[Sunil Chhetri|Chhetri]] {{goal|82}}
-|stadium    = [[National Football Stadium (Maldives)|National Football Stadium]]
-|location   = [[Malé]], Maldives
-|attendance =
-|referee    = Yousif Saeed Hassan ([[Iraq Football Association|Iraq]])
-|result     = W
-}}
-{{footballbox collapsible
-|format     =
-|round      = [[2021 SAFF Championship|SAFF G.S.]]
-|date       = {{Start date|2021|10|13|df=y}}
-|time       = 21:00
-[[UTC+05:00|UTC+5:00]]
-|team1      = {{fb-rt|IND}}
-|score      = 3–1
-|report     = https://www.the-aiff.com/match-center/nt/189
-|team2      = {{fb|MDV}}
-|goals1     =
-*[[Manvir Singh (footballer, born 1995)|M. Singh]] {{goal|33}}
-*[[Sunil Chhetri|Chhetri]] {{goal|62||71}}
-|goals2     = [[Ali Ashfaq|Ashfaq]] {{goal|45|pen.}}
-|stadium    = [[National Football Stadium (Maldives)|National Football Stadium]]
-|location   = [[Malé]], Maldives
-|attendance =
-|referee    = Ammar Ashkanani ([[Kuwait Football Association|Kuwait]])
-|result     = W
-}}
-{{footballbox collapsible
-| format     =
-| round      = [[2021 SAFF Championship Final|SAFF Final]]
-| date       = {{Start date|2021|10|16|df=y}}
-| time       = 20:00 [[UTC+05:00|UTC+5:00]]
-| team1      = {{fb-rt|IND}}
-| score1     = 3
-| team2      = {{fb|NEP}}
-| score2     = 0
-| goals1     = [[Sunil Chhetri|Chhetri]] {{goal|49}}<br />[[Suresh Singh Wangjam|Wangjam]] {{goal|50}}<br />[[Sahal Abdul Samad|Samad]] {{goal|90+1}}
-| goals2     =
-| stadium    = [[National Football Stadium (Maldives)|National Football Stadium]]
-| location   = [[Malé]], Maldives
-| attendance =
-| referee    = Majed Al-Shamrani ([[Saudi Arabian Football Federation|Saudi Arabia]])
-| report     = https://int.soccerway.com/international/asia/south-asian-football-federation-championship/2020/s16570/final-stages/
-| result     = W
-}}
-==Coaching staff==
-===Current personnel===
-On 15 May 2019, [[Igor Štimac]] was announced as the head coach of the national team.<ref name = "Igor Stimac">{{cite web |title=AIFF appoints Igor Stimac as new men's senior national team coach |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9674 |website=the-aiff.com |publisher=AIFF |access-date=15 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518164959/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9674 |archive-date=18 May 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Joining him as the other technical staffs were his fellow Croats Luka Radman<ref name = "Luka Radman">{{cite web|url=https://khelnow.com/football/indian-football-2019-luka-radman-strength-and-conditioning-coach-national-team|title=Luka Radman is very knowledgeable and has worked with a lot of top players- Sunil Chhetri|publisher=Khelnow|date=3 June 2019|access-date=21 April 2021|archive-date=27 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427213657/https://khelnow.com/football/indian-football-2019-luka-radman-strength-and-conditioning-coach-national-team|url-status=live}}</ref> and Tomislav Rogić<ref name = "Tomislav Rogic">{{cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/rogic-is-the-best-goalkeeping-coach-i-have-seen-in-national-team-set-up-gurpreet-sandhu|title=Rogic is the best goalkeeping coach I have seen in national team set-up: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu|publisher=AIFF|date=31 May 2019|access-date=21 April 2021|archive-date=21 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421133911/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/rogic-is-the-best-goalkeeping-coach-i-have-seen-in-national-team-set-up-gurpreet-sandhu|url-status=live}}</ref> as Fitness and Goalkeeping coach respectively. The assistant coach [[Shanmugam Venkatesh]] continued as the assistant coach after his appointment back in February 2015.<ref name = "Shanmugam Venkatesh">{{cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/new-support-staff-for-national-team|title=New support staff for national team|publisher=AIFF|date=26 February 2015|access-date=21 April 2021|archive-date=23 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423220730/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/new-support-staff-for-national-team|url-status=live}}</ref>
-The [[All India Football Federation|AIFF's]] technical committee conducted a virtual meeting on 29 May 2021, where they decided to hand over an extension to the head coach [[Igor Štimac]]'s tenure for three more months. The committee also decided not to extend the technical director, [[Doru Isac]]'s contract and appointed [[Savio Medeira]] as the interim technical director. On
-June 2021, the technical committee decided to hand over a one-year extension to [[Igor Štimac]] which will last till September 2022 in accordance to the [[2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Third Round|3rd Round of Asian Cup Qualifiers]] starting from Feb.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/aiff-technical-committee-conducts-online-meeting|title=AIFF Technical Committee conducts online meeting|publisher=AIFF|date=29 May 2021|access-date=2 June 2021|archive-date=3 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603001634/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/aiff-technical-committee-conducts-online-meeting|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name = "Savio Medeira">{{cite web|url=https://iftwc.com/who-is-savio-medeira/|title=Savio Medeira – Who is the new interim technical director of AIFF?|publisher=IFTWC|date=29 May 2021|access-date=2 June 2021|archive-date=3 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603181125/https://iftwc.com/who-is-savio-medeira/|url-status=live}}</ref>
-{| class="wikitable"
-! Name !! Role
-|-
-| {{flagicon|Croatia}} [[Igor Štimac]]<ref name = "Igor Stimac" /> || Head Coach
-|-
-| {{flagicon|India}} [[Shanmugam Venkatesh]]<ref name = "Shanmugam Venkatesh" /> || Assistant Coach
-|-
-| {{flagicon|Croatia}} Luka Radman<ref name ="Luka Radman" /> || Fitness Coach
-|-
-| {{flagicon|Croatia}} Tomislav Rogić<ref>{{cite web|url= https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/gurpreet-singh-sandhu-indian-football-team-goalkeeper-coach-tomislav-rogic/article27376495.ece|title=Tomislav Rogic is the best Goalkeeping coach I worked with says Gurpreet|access-date=3 September 2021}}</ref> || Goalkeeping Coach
-|-
-|{{flagicon|India}} [[Savio Medeira]]<ref name = "Savio Medeira" />
-|Technical Director ''(Interim)''
-|}
-===Past head coaches===
-{{See also|India national football team records and statistics}}
-Since India's independence, there have been twenty-nine different head coaches for the national team, out of which eleven foreign. The most successful head coach for India was [[Syed Abdul Rahim]], who led India to gold in both the [[1951 Asian Games|1951]] and [[1962 Asian Games]] while also achieving a fourth-place finish during the [[1956 Summer Olympics]]. The most successful foreign head coaches for India were [[Bob Houghton]] and [[Stephen Constantine]]; both of them helped the team to qualify for [[AFC Asian Cup]]. With Houghton in charge from 2006 to 2011,<ref name="Bobby">{{cite news|last1=Nandi|first1=Dhirtiman|title=Performance of Foreign Coaches in Indian National Football Team|url=http://www.indianfootballnetwork.com/blog/2015/08/23/performance-of-foreign-coaches-in-indian-national-football-team/|access-date=31 May 2016|work=IndianFootballNetwork|date=23 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623082258/http://www.indianfootballnetwork.com/blog/2015/08/23/performance-of-foreign-coaches-in-indian-national-football-team/|archive-date=23 June 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> India won the [[Nehru Cup]] twice and the [[AFC Challenge Cup]] in [[2008 AFC Challenge Cup|2008]] which allowed India to participate in their first [[AFC Asian Cup]] for 27 years.<ref name="Bobby"/> Since Houghton resigned as India team Head coach in 2011, the Indian national team's [[FIFA World Rankings|FIFA ranking]] touched its lowest at 173 in the team history in March 2015,<ref name="india rise from 173rank">{{cite web |title=How India rose from a historical low |url=https://scroll.in/article/719390/fifa-rankings-how-india-rose-from-a-historical-low-173-to-147-with-one-win-against-nepal |website=scroll.in |publisher=The Scroll |access-date=13 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226054412/http://scroll.in/article/719390/fifa-rankings-how-india-rose-from-a-historical-low-173-to-147-with-one-win-against-nepal |archive-date=26 December 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="India improves ranking">{{cite web |title=FIFA ranking: Indian football team up to 96, achieve best position in 21 years |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/football/india-up-to-96-achieve-best-fifa-ranking-in-21-years/story-kQK8Oj8j7A2BgqNYmY06GL.html |website=hindustantimes.com |publisher=HindustanTimes |access-date=13 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013211628/https://www.hindustantimes.com/football/india-up-to-96-achieve-best-fifa-ranking-in-21-years/story-kQK8Oj8j7A2BgqNYmY06GL.html |archive-date=13 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> but Constantine, who was appointed for the second time as the head coach of India,<ref name="quartz constantine career article"/><ref name="scroll constantine article">{{cite web |title=Interview with Stephen Constantine |url=https://scroll.in/field/844006/what-you-see-is-what-you-get-interview-with-stephen-constantine |website=scroll.in |publisher=Scroll |access-date=13 October 2018 |archive-date=3 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703201638/https://scroll.in/field/844006/what-you-see-is-what-you-get-interview-with-stephen-constantine |url-status=live }}</ref> revived the Indian team from its meagre condition. Under him, the team remained unbeaten for two years from June 2016 to March 2018 winning 11 matches and drawn 2 matches,<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian football team maintain unbeaten streak in International football |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/indian-football-team-spends-most-number-of-days-in-unbeaten-streak-overtakes-germany |website=sportskeeda.com |publisher=Sportskeeda |access-date=13 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626135953/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/indian-football-team-spends-most-number-of-days-in-unbeaten-streak-overtakes-germany |archive-date=26 June 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Asian Cup Qualifiers: India's 12-match unbeaten streak ends |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/asian-cup-qualifiers-india-s-12-match-unbeaten-streak-ends-118032800250_1.html|work=Business Standard|access-date=13 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013211605/https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/asian-cup-qualifiers-india-s-12-match-unbeaten-streak-ends-118032800250_1.html |archive-date=13 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> which helped them to qualify for [[2019 AFC Asian Cup]] after 8 years since Houghton left.<ref>{{cite web |title=India lose 1-2 to Kyrgyzstan, 13-match unbeaten run ends |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/india-lose-1-2-to-kyrgyzstan-13-match-unbeaten-run-ends/articleshow/63492985.cms |website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com |publisher=TOI |access-date=13 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328153858/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/india-lose-1-2-to-kyrgyzstan-13-match-unbeaten-run-ends/articleshow/63492985.cms |archive-date=28 March 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> He also helped the team to reach a better FIFA ranking of 96 in July 2017, which was the best in last 21 years.<ref name="india rise from 173rank"/><ref name="India improves ranking"/>
-[[File:Syed Abdul Rahim, India Football Coach.jpg|160px|right|thumb|[[Syed Abdul Rahim]], the most successful Indian coach for the national team]]
-[[File:Iran vs. India - 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, Stephen Constantine.jpg|160px|thumb|upright=|[[Stephen Constantine]] (during an India vs Iran match), has been one of the most successful foreign coaches for the national team (2015-2019)|alt=Portrait of a seriously-looking man]]
-[[File:Igor Štimac 2016.jpg|160px|thumb|upright=|[[Igor Stimac]] is the current coach of the national team]]
-{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: left; font-size:100%;"
-|-
-!'''Name'''
-!'''Period'''
-|-
-|{{Columns-list|colwidth=20|}} {{flagicon|British India}} [[Pankaj Gupta]]
-|1938<ref name="1938 aus tour manager">{{cite web |title=1938 Indian Tour of Australia |url=http://www.ozfootball.net/museum/index.php/tours/252-1938-indian-tour-of-australia |website=ozfootball.net |publisher=Australian Online Football Museum |accessdate=16 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923052751/http://www.ozfootball.net/museum/index.php/tours/252-1938-indian-tour-of-australia |archive-date=23 September 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Balaidas Chatterjee]]
-|1948
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Syed Abdul Rahim]]
-|1951–1952<ref name="Syed Rahim coaching years">{{cite web |last1=Sharma |first1=Bhargab |title=Remembering Rahim Saab, the man who put India on the world football map |url=http://www.catchnews.com/football-news/syed-abdul-rahim-the-story-of-india-s-greatest-football-coach-1439791142.html |website=catchnews.com |publisher=Catchnews |access-date=22 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928082937/http://www.catchnews.com/football-news/syed-abdul-rahim-the-story-of-india-s-greatest-football-coach-1439791142.html |archive-date=28 September 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Balaidas Chatterjee]]
-|1953<ref name="1953 Balaidas rangoon cup">{{cite web |title=1953 Rangoon quadrangular cup |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1953quadrangularcup.html |website=indiafootball.de |publisher=indiafootball.de |access-date=22 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819215018/http://indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1953quadrangularcup.html |archive-date=19 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Syed Abdul Rahim]]
-|1954<ref name="Syed Rahim coaching years"/>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Balaidas Chatterjee]]
-|1954<ref name="1954 Asian games Balaidas">{{cite web |last1=Ghosal |first1=Amoy |title=Indian football team at the Asian Games: 1954 Manila |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/indian-football-team-at-the-asian-games-1954-manila |website=sportskeeda.com |publisher=Sportskeeda |access-date=22 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928083044/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/indian-football-team-at-the-asian-games-1954-manila |archive-date=28 September 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} Saroj Bose
-|1955<ref name="1955 Saroj bose">{{cite web |last1=Chaudhuri |first1=Arunava |title=1955 Dhaka quadrangular |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1955quadrangularcup.html |website=indianfootball.de |publisher=indiafootball.de |access-date=22 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104165526/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1955quadrangularcup.html |archive-date=4 November 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Syed Abdul Rahim]]
-|1956–1962<ref name="Syed Rahim coaching years"/><br/>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} T. Shome
-|1958<ref name="1958 AG coach captain">{{cite web |title=The senior National Team at 1958 Asian Games |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1958asiangames.html |website=indiafootball.de |publisher=IndiaFootball |access-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055620/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1958asiangames.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><br/>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Sailendra Nath Manna]]
-|1961<ref name="1961 maderka coach captain">{{cite web |title=The senior National Team at 1961 Madeka |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1961merdekacup.html |website=indiafootball.de |publisher=IndiaFootball |access-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220134029/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1961merdekacup.html |archive-date=20 February 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} G. M. Pentiah
-|1963<ref name="1964 Oly.Q manager captain">{{cite web |title=The senior National Team at 1964 olympic qualifiers |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1964olympicsq.html |website=indiafootball.de |publisher=IndiaFootball |access-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111144652/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1964olympicsq.html |archive-date=11 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Harry Wright (footballer, born 1909)|Harry Wright]]
-|1964<ref name="1964 AC manager captain">{{cite web |title=The senior National Team at 1964 Asian Cup |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1964asiacup.html |website=indiafootball.de |publisher=IndiaFootball |access-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002024/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1964asiacup.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} Mohammed Hussain
-|1964–1967<ref name="1965 merdeka team coach">{{cite web |title=The senior National Team at 1965 Madeka |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1965merdekacup.html |website=indiafootball.de |publisher=IndiaFootball |access-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303233522/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1965merdekacup.html |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="1967 Madeka manager captain">{{cite web |title=The senior National Team at 1958 Asian Games |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1967merdekacup.html |website=indiafootball.de |publisher=IndiaFootball |access-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819214721/http://indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1967merdekacup.html |archive-date=19 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><br/>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} Sachindranath Mitra
-|1966<ref name="1966 Maderka manager captain">{{cite web |title=The senior National Team at 1966 Maderka |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1966merdekacup.html |website=indiafootball.de |publisher=IndiaFootball |access-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819155050/http://indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1966merdekacup.html |archive-date=19 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><br/>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} S. R. Deb
-|1967<ref name="1968 ACQ managaer captain">{{cite web |title=The senior National Team at 1968 Asian CUPQ |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1968asiacupq.html |website=indiafootball.de |publisher=IndiaFootball |access-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819222646/http://indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1968asiacupq.html |archive-date=19 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Sailendra Nath Manna]]
-|1968<ref name="1968 maderka managaer captain">{{cite web |title=The senior National Team at 1968 maderka |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1968merdekacup.html |website=indiafootball.de |publisher=IndiaFootball |access-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819220342/http://indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1968merdekacup.html |archive-date=19 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Jarnail Singh (footballer)|Jarnail Singh]]
-|1969<ref name="1969 maderka manager captain">{{cite web |title=The senior National Team at 1969 maderka |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1969merdekacup.html |website=indiafootball.de |publisher=IndiaFootball |access-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819215109/http://indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1969merdekacup.html |archive-date=19 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} G. M. H. Basha
-|1970–1971<ref name="1970 maderka manager captain">{{cite web |title=The senior National Team at 1970 maderka |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1970merdekacup.html |website=indiafootball.de |publisher=IndiaFootball |access-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819214747/http://indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1970merdekacup.html |archive-date=19 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Pradip Kumar Banerjee|P. K. Banerjee]]
-|1972–1974<ref name="1972 oly q manager captain">{{cite web |title=The senior National Team at 1972 maderka |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1972olympicsq.html |website=indiafootball.de |publisher=IndiaFootball |access-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819222658/http://indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1972olympicsq.html |archive-date=19 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="1974 AG manager captain">{{cite web |title=The senior National Team at 1974 AG |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1974asiangames.html |website=indiafootball.de |publisher=IndiaFootball |access-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819161107/http://indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1974asiangames.html |archive-date=19 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="pk banerjee career"/>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Jarnail Singh (footballer)|Jarnail Singh]]
-|1976<ref name="1976 jasson cup">{{cite web |title=The senior National Team at 1976 Jasson |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1976jassoncelebrationcup.html |website=indiafootball.de |publisher=IndiaFootball |access-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112134819/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1976jassoncelebrationcup.html |archive-date=12 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Sahu Mewalal]]
-|1977<ref name="1977 kC coach captain">{{cite web |title=The senior National Team at 1977 kingscup |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1977kingscup.html |website=indiafootball.de |publisher=IndiaFootball |access-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819214653/http://indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1977kingscup.html |archive-date=19 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><br/>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} G. M. H. Basha
-|1977<ref name="1977 PC coach captain">{{cite web |title=The senior National Team at 1977 Prescup |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1977presidentscup.html |website=indiafootball.de |publisher=IndiaFootball |access-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819155605/http://indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1977presidentscup.html |archive-date=19 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Arun Ghosh]]
-|1978<ref name="1978 AG coach captain">{{cite web |title=The senior National Team at 1978 AG |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1978asiangames.html |website=indiafootball.de |publisher=IndiaFootball |access-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819164524/http://indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1978asiangames.html |archive-date=19 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} G. M. H. Basha
-|1980<ref name="1980 OQ coach captain">{{cite web |title=The senior National Team at 1980 OLY Q |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1980olympicsq.html |website=indiafootball.de |publisher=IndiaFootball |access-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819220304/http://indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1980olympicsq.html |archive-date=19 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Pradip Kumar Banerjee|P. K. Banerjee]]
-|1981–1982<ref name="pk banerjee career">{{cite web |title=Know your Indian Football Heroes: PK Banerjee |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/know-your-indian-football-heroes-pk-banerjee |website=sportskeeda.com |publisher=Sportskeeda |access-date=13 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013172249/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/know-your-indian-football-heroes-pk-banerjee |archive-date=13 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="82 maderka coach captain">{{cite web |title=1982 Maderka Result |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1982merdekacup.html |website=indiafootball.de |publisher=IndiaFootball |access-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819220319/http://indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1982merdekacup.html |archive-date=19 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="82 AG coach captain">{{cite web |title=1982 Asian games result |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1982asiangames.html |website=indiafootball.de |publisher=IndiaFootball |access-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924034448/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1982asiangames.html |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Bob Bootland]]
-|1982<ref name="coach bootland">{{cite web|title=Coach Bob Bootland dies|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/coach-bob-bootland-dies/33505/|work=The Indian Express|access-date=30 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/sport/bob-bootland-passes-away/cid/1073269 |title=Archived copy |access-date=13 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013172242/https://www.telegraphindia.com/sport/bob-bootland-passes-away/cid/1073269 |archive-date=13 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IRL}} [[Joe Kinnear]]
-|1983<ref name="coach Joe Kinnear">{{cite web |title=MAGPIES TURN TO KINNEAR |url=http://www.football365.com/story/0%2C17033%2C8652_4197700%2C00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080929003310/http://www.football365.com/story/0%2C17033%2C8652_4197700%2C00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 September 2008 |publisher=FOOTBALL365 |access-date=30 September 2018}}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|YUG}} [[Milovan Ćirić]]
-|1984–1985<ref name="coach milovan ciric">{{cite web |title=A Bible for soccer lovers |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070729/spectrum/book7.htm |website=tribuneindia.com |publisher=TheTribune |access-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303195419/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070729/spectrum/book7.htm |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1984asiacup.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=24 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427025615/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1984asiacup.html |archive-date=27 April 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref><br/>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Arun Ghosh]]
-|1985<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1986worldcupq.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=13 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819175833/http://indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1986worldcupq.html |archive-date=19 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Pradip Kumar Banerjee|P. K. Banerjee]]
-|1985–1986<ref name="pk banerjee career"/>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Syed Nayeemuddin]]
-|1987−1989<ref name="Sayed Nayemuddin career">{{cite web |title=The Agony of Syed Nayeemuddin |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/i-have-turned-from-national-coach-to-national-beggar-the-agony-of-syed-nayeemuddin |website=sportskeeda.com |publisher=Sportskeeda |access-date=12 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013172352/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/i-have-turned-from-national-coach-to-national-beggar-the-agony-of-syed-nayeemuddin |archive-date=13 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Indian Senior Team at 1987 Nehru Cup |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1987nehrucup.html |website=indianfootball.de |publisher=IndianFootball |access-date=12 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129123146/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1987nehrucup.html |archive-date=29 January 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Indian Senior team at 1989 Nehru Cup |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1989nehrucup.html |website=indianfootball.de |publisher=IndianFootball |access-date=12 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819222711/http://indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1989nehrucup.html |archive-date=19 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|HUN}} [[József Gelei]]
-|1990–1991<ref>{{cite web |title=The Indian Senior team at 1991 Nehru cup |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1991nehrucup.html |website=indianfootball.de |publisher=IndianFootball.de |access-date=12 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819220357/http://indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1991nehrucup.html |archive-date=19 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Derek D'Souza]]
-|1992–1993<ref>{{cite web |title=The Indian Senior team at 1992 Asian Cup |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1992asiacupq.html |website=indianfootball.de |publisher=IndianFootball |access-date=12 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001124845/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1992asiacupq.html |archive-date=1 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|CZE}} [[Jiří Pešek]]
-|1993−1994<ref>{{cite web |title=The Indian Senior team at 1993 nehru cup |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1993nehrucup.html |website=indianfootball.de |publisher=IndianFootball |access-date=12 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819155414/http://indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1993nehrucup.html |archive-date=19 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Indian Senior team at 1994 WC qualifier |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1994worldcupq.html |website=indianfootball.de |publisher=IndianFootball |access-date=12 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819214928/http://indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1994worldcupq.html |archive-date=19 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Indian Senior team at 1993 saarc cup |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1993saarccup.html |website=indianfootball.de |publisher=IndianFootball |access-date=12 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819215035/http://indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1993saarccup.html |archive-date=19 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Indian Senior team at 1994 rajiv gandhi cup |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1994rajivgandhicup.html |website=indianfootball.de |publisher=IndianFootball |access-date=12 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819222725/http://indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1994rajivgandhicup.html |archive-date=19 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|UZB}} [[Rustam Akramov]]
-|1995−1996<ref>{{cite web |title=The Indian Senior team at 1995 nehru cup |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1995nehrucup.html |website=indianfootball.de |publisher=IndianFootball |access-date=12 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007153356/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1995nehrucup.html |archive-date=7 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Syed Nayeemuddin]]
-|1997–1998<ref name="Sayed Nayemuddin career"/>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Sukhwinder Singh (football coach)|Sukhwinder Singh]]
-|1999–2001<ref>{{cite web |title=The Indian Senior team at 1999 safgames |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1999safgames.html |website=indianfootball.de |publisher=IndianFootball |access-date=12 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819160501/http://indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1999safgames.html |archive-date=19 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|UZB}} [[:ru:Ахмедов, Ислам Исмаилович|Islam Ahmedov]]
-|2001<ref>{{cite web |title=The Indian Senior team at 2011 M.cup |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/2001millenniumcup.html |website=indianfootball.de |publisher=IndianFootball |access-date=12 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819215050/http://indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/2001millenniumcup.html |archive-date=19 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Stephen Constantine]]
-|2002–2005<ref name="bbc constantine article">{{cite web |last1=Roach |first1=Stuart |title=Constantine's rising stock |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3283523.stm |website=bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC |access-date=13 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013172405/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3283523.stm |archive-date=13 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="quartz constantine career article">{{cite web |last1=Kunti |first1=Samindra |title=Meet the man responsible for kickstarting a new era in Indian football—again |url=https://qz.com/india/328908/meet-the-man-responsible-for-kickstarting-a-new-era-in-indian-football-again/ |website=qz.com |publisher=Quartz India |access-date=13 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013211555/https://qz.com/india/328908/meet-the-man-responsible-for-kickstarting-a-new-era-in-indian-football-again/ |archive-date=13 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><br/>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Sukhwinder Singh (football coach)|Sukhwinder Singh]]
-|2005<ref name="2005 coach appointment">{{cite web |title=The Indian Senior team 2005 coach appointment |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/news/indn200509.html |website=indianfootball.de |publisher=IndianFootball |access-date=12 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000237/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/news/indn200509.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Indian Senior team at 2005 pak tour |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/2005pakistan.html |website=indianfootball.de |publisher=IndianFootball |access-date=12 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304040604/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/2005pakistan.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Indian Senior team at 2005 fiji tour |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/2005fiji.html |website=indianfootball.de |publisher=IndianFootball |access-date=12 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819160353/http://indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/2005fiji.html |archive-date=19 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Syed Nayeemuddin]]
-|2005–2006<ref name="Sayed Nayemuddin career"/><ref name="2005 coach appointment"/>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Bob Houghton]]
-|2006–2011<ref>{{cite web |title=Houghton's tenure as Indian football coach over: sources |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Houghtons-tenure-as-Indian-football-coach-over-sources/articleshow/8047952.cms |website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com |publisher=TOI |access-date=13 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014043848/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Houghtons-tenure-as-Indian-football-coach-over-sources/articleshow/8047952.cms |archive-date=14 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Houghton resigns as national coach - AIFF trying hard to change bob's mind |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/sport/houghton-resigns-as-national-coach-aiff-trying-hard-to-change-bob-s-mind/cid/524666 |website=telegraphindia.com |publisher=Telegraph India |access-date=13 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013211525/https://www.telegraphindia.com/sport/houghton-resigns-as-national-coach-aiff-trying-hard-to-change-bob-s-mind/cid/524666 |archive-date=13 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Armando Colaco]]
-|2011<ref>{{cite web |title=Newly appointed coach of the Indian football team |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Newly-appointed-coach-of-the-Indian-football-team-Armando-Colaco-will-meet-the-press-in-New-Delhi-on-Wednesday-/articleshow/8839865.cms |website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com |publisher=TOI |access-date=13 October 2018}}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Savio Medeira]]
-|2011–2012<ref>{{cite web |title=Savio should've taken over from Houghton |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Savio-shouldve-taken-over-from-Houghton-Chapman/articleshow/8543397.cms |website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com |publisher=TOI |access-date=13 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107112653/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Savio-shouldve-taken-over-from-Houghton-Chapman/articleshow/8543397.cms |archive-date=7 November 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Savio Madeira stamps his authority on SAFF cup win |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/savio-madeira-stamps-his-authority-on-saff-cup-win |website=sportskeeda.com |publisher=Sportskeeda |access-date=13 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013172342/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/savio-madeira-stamps-his-authority-on-saff-cup-win |archive-date=13 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|NED}} [[Wim Koevermans]]
-|2012–2015<ref>{{cite web |title=Wim Koevermans appointed as new Indian football coach |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Wim-Koevermans-appointed-as-new-Indian-football-coach/articleshow/14343394.cms |website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com |publisher=TOI |access-date=13 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107112640/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Wim-Koevermans-appointed-as-new-Indian-football-coach/articleshow/14343394.cms |archive-date=7 November 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Indian national football team coach Wim Koevermans resigns |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/indian-national-football-team-coach-wim-koevermans-resigns |website=sportskeeda.com |publisher=Sportskeeda |access-date=13 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013172355/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/indian-national-football-team-coach-wim-koevermans-resigns |archive-date=13 October 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Stephen Constantine]]
-|2015–2019<ref name="quartz constantine career article"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Stephen Constantine resigns as India coach after Asian Cup exit |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/stephen-constantine-resigns-as-india-coach-afc-asian-cup-2019-5538367/|work=The Indian Express|access-date=14 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115023412/https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/stephen-constantine-resigns-as-india-coach-afc-asian-cup-2019-5538367/ |archive-date=15 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
-|-
-|{{flagicon|CRO}} [[Igor Štimac]]
-|2019−present<ref name="coach app. 2019 stimac">{{cite web |title=AIFF APPOINTS IGOR STIMAC AS NEW MEN'S SENIOR NATIONAL TEAM COACH |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9674 |website=the-aiff.com |publisher=AIFF |access-date=15 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518164959/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9674 |archive-date=18 May 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
-|}
-==Players==
-{{See also|List of India international footballers}}
-===Current squad===
-The following 23 players were named in the final squad for the [[2021 SAFF Championship]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Stimac names list of 23 for the SAFF Championship|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/stimac-names-list-of-23-for-the-saff-championship|access-date=26 September 2021|publisher=AIFF|date=26 September 2021}}</ref>
-{{nat fs g start|background=#0B0B3F|color=#ffffff}}
-{{nat fs g player|no=1|pos=GK|name=[[Gurpreet Singh Sandhu]]||other=[[Vice Captain (association football)|Vice Captain]]|age={{birth date and age|1992|2|3|df=y}}|caps=48|goals=0|club=[[Bengaluru FC|Bengaluru]]|clubnat=IND}}
-{{nat fs g player|no=13|pos=GK|name=[[Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem]]|age={{birth date and age|2000|7|4|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=[[FC Goa|Goa]]|clubnat=IND}}
-{{nat fs g player|no=23|pos=GK|name=[[Vishal Kaith]]|age={{birth date and age|1996|07|22|df=y}}|caps=4|goals=0|club=[[Chennaiyin FC|Chennaiyin]]|clubnat=IND}}
-{{nat fs break|background=#800000|color=white}}
-{{nat fs g player|no=2|pos=DF|name=[[Rahul Bheke]]|age={{birth date and age|1990|12|06|df=y}}|caps=18|goals=0|club=[[Mumbai City FC|Mumbai City]]|clubnat=IND}}
-{{nat fs g player|no=3|pos=DF|name=[[Subhasish Bose]]|age={{birth date and age|1995|8|18|df=y}}|caps=27|goals=0|club=[[ATK Mohun Bagan FC|ATK Mohun Bagan]]|clubnat=IND}}
-{{nat fs g player|no=4|pos=DF|name=[[Chinglensana Singh (footballer)|Chinglensana Singh]]|age={{birth date and age|1996|11|27|df=y}}|caps=8|goals=0|club=[[Hyderabad FC|Hyderabad]]|clubnat=IND}}
-{{nat fs g player|no=17|pos=DF|name=[[Mandar Rao Dessai]]|age={{birth date and age|1992|3|18|df=y}}|caps=9|goals=0|club=[[Mumbai City FC|Mumbai City]]|clubnat=IND}}
-{{nat fs g player|no=20|pos=DF|name=[[Pritam Kotal]]|age={{birth date and age|1993|9|8|df=y}}|caps=43|goals=0|club=[[ATK Mohun Bagan FC|ATK Mohun Bagan]]|clubnat=IND}}
-{{nat fs g player|no=5|pos=DF|name=[[Seriton Fernandes]]|age={{birth date and age|1992|10|26|df=y}}|caps=3|goals=0|club=[[FC Goa|Goa]]|clubnat=IND}}
-{{nat fs break|background=#800000|color=white}}
-{{nat fs g player|no=6|pos=MF|name=[[Lalengmawia Ralte]]|age={{birth date and age|2000|10|17|df=y}}|caps=10|goals=0|club=[[Mumbai City FC|Mumbai City]]|clubnat=IND}}
-{{nat fs g player|no=7|pos=MF|name=[[Anirudh Thapa]]|age={{birth date and age|1998|1|15|df=y}}|caps=32|goals=3|club=[[Chennaiyin FC|Chennaiyin]]|clubnat=IND}}
-{{nat fs g player|no=8|pos=MF|name=[[Glan Martins]]|age={{birth date and age|1994|7|1|df=y}}|caps=9|goals=0|club=[[FC Goa|Goa]]|clubnat=IND}}
-{{nat fs g player|no=10|pos=MF|name=[[Brandon Fernandes]]|age={{birth date and age|1994|9|20|df=y}}|caps=13|goals=0|club=[[FC Goa|Goa]]|clubnat=IND}}
-{{nat fs g player|no=14|pos=MF|name=[[Udanta Singh]]|age={{birth date and age|1996|6|14|df=y}}|caps=34|goals=1|club=[[Bengaluru FC|Bengaluru]]|clubnat=IND}}
-{{nat fs g player|no=15|pos=MF|name=[[Jeakson Singh]]|age={{birth date and age|2001|6|21|df=y}}|caps=2|goals=0|club=[[Kerala Blasters FC|Kerala Blasters]]|clubnat=IND}}
-{{nat fs g player|no=16|pos=MF|name=[[Mohammad Yasir]]|age={{birth date and age|1998|04|14|df=y}}|caps=8|goals=0|club=[[Hyderabad FC|Hyderabad]]|clubnat=IND}}
-{{nat fs g player|no=18|pos=MF|name=[[Sahal Abdul Samad]]|age={{birth date and age|1997|4|1|df=y}}|caps=14|goals=1|club=[[Kerala Blasters FC|Kerala Blasters]]|clubnat=IND}}
-{{nat fs g player|no=21|pos=MF|name=[[Suresh Singh Wangjam]]|age={{birth date and age|2000|8|7|df=y}}|caps=11|goals=1|club=[[Bengaluru FC|Bengaluru]]|clubnat=IND}}
-{{nat fs break|background=#800000|color=white}}
-{{nat fs g player|no=9|pos=FW|name=[[Manvir Singh (footballer, born 1995)|Manvir Singh]]|age={{birth date and age|1995|11|7|df=y}}|caps=27|goals=5|club=[[ATK Mohun Bagan FC|ATK Mohun Bagan]]|clubnat=IND}}
-{{nat fs g player|no=11|pos=FW|name=[[Sunil Chhetri]]||other=[[Captain (association football)|Captain]]|age={{birth date and age|1984|8|3|df=y}}|caps=125|goals=80|club=[[Bengaluru FC|Bengaluru]]|clubnat=IND}}
-{{nat fs g player|no=12|pos=FW|name=[[Farukh Choudhary]]|age={{birth date and age|1996|11|8|df=y}}|caps=14|goals=1|club=[[Jamshedpur FC|Jamshedpur]]|clubnat=IND}}
-{{nat fs g player|no=19|pos=FW|name=[[Liston Colaco]]|age={{birth date and age|1998|11|12|df=y}}|caps=8|goals=0|club=[[ATK Mohun Bagan FC|ATK Mohun Bagan]]|clubnat=IND}}
-{{nat fs g player|no=22|pos=FW|name=[[Rahim Ali]]|age={{birth date and age|2000|4|21|df=y}}|caps=5|goals=0|club=[[Chennaiyin FC|Chennaiyin]]|clubnat=IND}}
-{{nat fs end}}
-===Recent callups===
-The following players have been called up to India within the last twelve months.
-{{nat fs r start|background=#FBEC5D|color=#008000}}
-{{nat fs r player|no=25|pos=GK|name=[[Subhasish Roy Chowdhury]]|age={{birth date and age|1986|09|27|df=y}}|caps=4|goals=0|club=[[NorthEast United FC|NorthEast United]]|clubnat=IND|latest=NT camp, March 2021}}
-{{nat fs r player|no=23|pos=GK|name=[[Amrinder Singh]]<sup>COV</sup>|age={{birth date and age|1993|5|27|df=y}}|caps=7|goals=0|club= [[ATK Mohun Bagan FC|ATK Mohun Bagan]]|clubnat=IND|latest=v. {{fb|NEP}} September 2021}}
-{{nat fs break|background=#FBEC5D}}
-{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=[[Ashutosh Mehta]]|age={{birth date and age|1991|2|21|df=y}}|caps=1|goals=0|club=[[ATK Mohun Bagan FC|ATK Mohun Bagan]]|clubnat=IND|latest=v. {{fb|OMA}}, 25 March 2021}}
-{{nat fs r player|no=19|pos=DF|name=[[Akash Mishra]]|age={{birth date and age|2001|11|27|df=y}}|caps=4|goals=0|club=[[Hyderabad FC|Hyderabad]]|clubnat=IND|latest=v. {{fb|NEP}} September 2021}}
-{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=[[Asish Rai]]|age={{birth date and age|1999|01|27|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=[[Hyderabad FC|Hyderabad]]|clubnat=IND|latest=NT camp, August 2021}}
-{{nat fs r player|no=24|pos=DF|name=[[Narender Gahlot]]|age={{birth date and age|2001|04|24|df=y}}|caps=3|goals=1|club=[[Jamshedpur FC|Jamshedpur]]|clubnat=IND|latest=NT camp, August 2021}}
-{{nat fs r player|no=27|pos=DF|name=[[Mashoor Shereef]]|age={{birth date and age|1993|1|5|df=y}}|caps=1|goals=0|club=[[NorthEast United FC|NorthEast United]]|clubnat=IND|latest=v. {{fb|UAE}}, 29 March 2021}}
-{{nat fs r player|no=6|pos=DF|name=[[Adil Khan (footballer)|Adil Khan]]|age={{birth date and age|1988|7|7|df=y}}|caps=12|goals=1|club=[[SC East Bengal]]|clubnat=IND|latest=NT camp, August 2021}}
-{{nat fs r player|no=5|pos=DF|name=[[Sandesh Jhingan]]|age={{birth date and age|1993|7|21|df=y}}|caps=40|goals=4|club=[[HNK Šibenik|Šibenik]]|clubnat=CRO|latest=v. {{fb|AFG}}, 15 June 2021}}
-{{nat fs break|background=#FBEC5D}}
-{{nat fs r player|no=11|pos=MF|name=[[Hitesh Sharma (footballer)|Hitesh Sharma]]|age={{birth date and age|1997|12|25|df=y}}|caps=3|goals=0|club=[[Hyderabad FC|Hyderabad]]|clubnat=IND|latest=v. {{fb|UAE}}, 29 March 2021}}
-{{nat fs r player|no=19|pos=MF|name=[[Halicharan Narzary]]|age={{birth date and age|1994|05|10|df=y}}|caps=27|goals=1|club=[[Hyderabad FC|Hyderabad]]|clubnat=IND|latest=v. {{fb|UAE}}, 29 March 2021}}
-{{nat fs r player|no=6|pos=MF|name=[[Pronay Halder]]|age={{birth date and age|1993|2|25|df=y}}|caps=22|goals=1|club=[[Jamshedpur FC|Jamshedpur]]|clubnat=IND|latest=v. {{fb|NEP}} September 2021}}
-{{nat fs r player|no=22|pos=MF|name=[[Ashique Kuruniyan]]<sup>INJ</sup>|age={{birth date and age|1997|6|18|df=y}}|caps=21|goals=1|club=[[Bengaluru FC|Bengaluru]]|clubnat=IND|latest=v. {{fb|AFG}}, 15 June 2021}}
-{{nat fs r player|no=25|pos=MF|name=[[Rowllin Borges]]|age={{birth date and age|1992|6|5|df=y}}|caps=34|goals=2|club=[[Mumbai City FC|Mumbai City]]|clubnat=IND|latest=NT camp, June 2021}}
-{{nat fs r player|no=27|pos=MF|name=[[Lallianzuala Chhangte]]<sup>INJ</sup>|age={{birth date and age|1997|6|8|df=y}}|caps=13|goals=4|club=[[Chennaiyin FC|Chennaiyin]]|clubnat=IND|latest=NT camp, June 2021}}
-{{nat fs break|background=#FBEC5D}}
-{{nat fs r player|no=14|pos=FW|name=[[Bipin Singh]]<sup>COV</sup>|age={{birth date and age|1995|3|10|df=y}}|caps=5|goals=0|club=[[Mumbai City FC|Mumbai City]]|clubnat=IND|latest=v. {{fb|NEP}} September 2021}}
-{{nat fs r player|no=18|pos=FW|name=[[Ishan Pandita]]|age={{birth date and age|1998|5|26|df=y}}|caps=2|goals=0|club=[[Jamshedpur FC|Jamshedpur]]|clubnat=IND|latest=NT camp, August 2021}}
-{{nat fs break|background=#FBEC5D}}
-* <sup>INJ</sup> Withdrew from the squad due to injury
-* <sup>COV</sup> Tested positive for [[COVID-19]]
-{{nat fs end|background=#FBEC5D}}
-===Notable players===
-{{See also|History of the India national football team#Notable players|l1=Notable Players}}
-[[File:Gostha Pal 1998 stamp of India.jpg|115px|left|thumb|Postage stamp issued in 1998, to honour [[Gostha Pal]]]]
-During the early 20th century, India produced one of the best footballers from Asia at that time, [[Gostha Pal]]. Pal began playing professional football at the age of 16 in 1911, becoming India's first captain, and was considered one of the best defenders India had ever produced. He was also the first footballer to be awarded [[Padma Shree]] in the year 1962,<ref name="award winning footballers">{{cite web |title=Award winning Indian footballer |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/data/nationalawards.html |website=indianfootball.de |publisher=IndianFootball |access-date=13 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001123849/http://www.indianfootball.de/data/nationalawards.html |archive-date=1 October 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> and in 1998, the Government of India introduced a postal stamp in his honour.<ref name="kolkatafootball.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.kolkatafootball.com/kolkatafootball_indian_legend_footballers_profile.html|title=GOSTHO PAL - THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA - GREAT ICON OF KOLKATA FOOTBALL|access-date=20 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823005519/http://www.kolkatafootball.com/kolkatafootball_indian_legend_footballers_profile.html|archive-date=23 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="thehardtackle.com" /> In the later 1930s, players like [[R. Lumsden (footballer)|R. Lumsden]], Noor Mohammed, T. Rahim, K. Prosad, A. Nandi under the leadership of [[Karuna Bhattacharya]] played for India who scored a total of 56 goals in 17 matches during the 1938 Australia tour out of which 5 matches were against Australia, where Lumsden scored the first international hat-trick for India.<ref name="aus tour 1938">{{cite web |title=1938 Indian Tour of Australia |url=http://www.ozfootball.net/museum/index.php/tours/252-1938-indian-tour-of-australia |website=ozfootball.net |publisher=Australian Online Football Museum |access-date=24 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923052751/http://www.ozfootball.net/museum/index.php/tours/252-1938-indian-tour-of-australia |archive-date=23 September 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="1938 aus tour result">{{cite web |last1=Greg Stock |first1=Thomas Esamie,John Punshon |title=Socceroo Internationals for 1938 |url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Socceroo/1938A.html |website=ozfootball.net |publisher=OZfootball |access-date=24 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806202225/http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Socceroo/1938A.html |archive-date=6 August 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>
-[[File:Talimeren Ao 2018 stamp of India.jpg|115px|right|thumb|Postage stamp issued in 2018, to honour [[Talimeren Ao]]]]
-India's first captain after the country gained independence was [[Talimeren Ao]]. At a very young age, using footballs made out of rags, Ao gradually improved his skills as a defensive midfielder. He was given the responsibility of leading the team at the [[Football at the 1948 Summer Olympics|1948 Olympics]], India's first major tournament<ref>{{cite web |title=Talimenren Ao achievements |url=https://www.kolkatafootball.com/kolkatafootball_indian_legend_footballers_profile.html#tao |website=kolkatafootball.com |publisher=Kolkata Football |access-date=2 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026115539/http://www.kolkatafootball.com/kolkatafootball_indian_legend_footballers_profile.html#tao |archive-date=26 October 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="T.Ao scroll.com">{{cite web |title=Remembering a Naga doctor-footballer who led India in the 1948 Olympics |url=https://scroll.in/article/698650/remembering-a-naga-doctor-footballer-who-led-india-in-the-1948-olympics |website=scroll.in |publisher=The Scroll |access-date=2 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126012736/https://scroll.in/article/698650/remembering-a-naga-doctor-footballer-who-led-india-in-the-1948-olympics |archive-date=26 November 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> and also was the flag bearer of Indian contingents in London.<ref name="the naga republic story">{{cite web |title=Story of a legend – Dr. T. Ao the first Naga Olympian and football genius |url=http://www.thenagarepublic.com/features/story-legend-dr-t-ao-first-naga-olympian-football-genius/ |website=thenagarepublic.com |publisher=The Naga Republic |access-date=2 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126005616/http://www.thenagarepublic.com/features/story-legend-dr-t-ao-first-naga-olympian-football-genius/ |archive-date=26 November 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Also during this era, India produced [[Sailen Manna]], one of the country's best defenders.<ref name="AIFF Sailen Manna">{{cite web |title=AIFF Condoles Sailen Manna's death |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=4143 |website=www.the-aiff.com |publisher=AIFF |access-date=6 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126010705/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=4143 |archive-date=26 November 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was given the India captaincy in 1951 during the [[Football at the 1951 Asian Games|Asian Games]], led the team to the gold medal, India's first major internationally honour,<ref name="AIFF Sailen Manna"/> and also captained the team during the [[Football at the 1952 Summer Olympics|1952 Olympics]] and [[Football at the 1954 Asian Games|1954 Asian Games]].<ref name="AIFF Sailen Manna"/> In 1953, [[England Football Association]] rated Manna among "10 Best Skippers of the World" in its yearbook,<ref>{{cite web|title=A natural leader|url=https://www.sportstarlive.com/tss3511/stories/20120315504703100.htm|work=Sports Star|access-date=6 November 2018|archive-date=3 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703201628/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/magazine/a-natural-leader/article29710043.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> the Government of India awarded him [[Padma Shri]] in 1971<ref name="award winning footballers"/> and [[All India Football Federation|AIFF]] honoured him as "AIFF Player-of-the-Millennium" in 2000.<ref name="AIFF Sailen Manna"/>
-During India's golden era between the 1950s and early 60s, the country produced coveted strikers such as [[Sheoo Mewalal]], [[Neville D'Souza]], [[Chuni Goswami]] and [[Tulsidas Balaram]]. Mewalal was India's starting striker during the [[Football at the 1948 Summer Olympics|1948 Olympics]], [[Football at the 1952 Summer Olympics|1952 Olympics]] and [[Football at the 1951 Asian Games|1951 Asian games]] where he ended as the tournament top goalscorer with four goals.<ref>{{cite web |title=Remembering India's most prolific centre forward - Sahoo Mewalal |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/remembering-indias-most-prolific-centre-forward-sahoo-mewalal |website=sportskeeda.com |publisher=SportsKeeda |access-date=20 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126005650/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/remembering-indias-most-prolific-centre-forward-sahoo-mewalal |archive-date=26 November 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Legend of Indian football:Sheoo Mewalal |url=http://www.thehardtackle.com/2012/legends-of-indian-football-sheoo-mewalal/ |website=thehardtackle.com |publisher=The Hard Tackle |access-date=20 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028130451/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2012/legends-of-indian-football-sheoo-mewalal/ |archive-date=28 October 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Mewalal was the first Indian player to score a hat-trick since the country gained independence when he scored it against [[Myanmar national football team|Burma]] during the [[Colombo Cup|1952 Colombo Cup]].<ref>{{cite web |title=India Senior team 1952 Quadrangular Cup |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1952quadrangularcup.html |website=indianfootball.de |publisher=Indian Football |access-date=20 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055657/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1952quadrangularcup.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> D'Souza meanwhile became the first Asian player to score a hat-trick at the Olympic Games,<ref>{{cite web |title=India Football Hall of Fame, Neville D'Souza |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/data/halloffame/dsouza_neville.html |website=indianfootball.de |publisher=Indian Football |access-date=20 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119131704/http://www.indianfootball.de/data/halloffame/dsouza_neville.html |archive-date=19 January 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> scoring a hat-trick against [[Australia national soccer team|Australia]] during the [[Association football at the 1956 Summer Olympics|1956 Olympics]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Match Report Australia - India |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/melbourne1956/matches/round=197070/match=32404/index.html |website=www.fifa.com |publisher=FIFA |access-date=20 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715235643/https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/melbourne1956/matches/round=197070/match=32404/index.html |archive-date=15 July 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> D'Souza also tied for top goalscorer in that edition of the Olympics, which helped India reach the semi-finals.<ref>{{cite web |title=Olympics 1956 Statistics |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/melbourne1956/statistics/index.html |website=www.fifa.com |publisher=FIFA |access-date=20 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126005830/https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/melbourne1956/statistics/index.html |archive-date=26 November 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Goswami represented India at the [[Football at the 1958 Asian Games|1958 Asian Games]] and the [[Football at the 1960 Summer Olympics|1960 Olympics]], and captained the side during the [[Football at the 1962 Asian Games|1962 Asian Games]] and the [[1964 AFC Asian Cup|1964 Asian Cup]].<ref name="Chuni goswami interview">{{cite web |title=Chuni Goswami: A legend in every sense of the word |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/sports/chuni-goswami-legend-every-sense-indian-football.html |website=theweek.in |publisher=The Week |access-date=22 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126011337/https://www.theweek.in/news/sports/chuni-goswami-legend-every-sense-indian-football.html |archive-date=26 November 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was bestowed with [[Padma Shri]] by the Government of India and AFC honoured him as "Best Striker of Asia" in 1962.<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian Football Legends |url=https://www.kolkatafootball.com/kolkatafootball_indian_legend_footballers_profile.html#chuni |website=kolkatafootball.com |publisher=Kolkata Football |access-date=22 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126175914/http://www.kolkatafootball.com/kolkatafootball_indian_legend_footballers_profile.html#chuni |archive-date=26 November 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-[[Pradip Kumar Banerjee|P. K. Banerjee]], a winger who represented India at the [[Association football at the 1956 Summer Olympics|1956 Olympics]] and later captained the side during the [[Football at the 1960 Summer Olympics|1960 Olympics]], was named as the best "Indian player of the 20th Century".<ref name="pk banerjee and peter thangaraj IFFHS players of century">{{cite web |title=IFFHS' Players and Keepers of the Century for many countries |url=http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/iffhs-country-complete.html |website=rsssf.com |publisher=RSSSF |access-date=12 November 2018 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/69A3uJN0g?url=http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/iffhs-country-complete.html |archive-date=14 July 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Peter Thangaraj]] was the starting goalkeeper for India during the later stage of India's golden era, being named as best "Indian keeper of the 20th Century" by [[International Federation of Football History & Statistics|IFFHS]].<ref name="pk banerjee and peter thangaraj IFFHS players of century"/> P. K. Banerjee was honoured with [[Padma Shri]] by Government of India in 1990, and in 2004 [[FIFA]] bestowed him with "[[FIFA Order of Merit|FIFA Centennial Order of Merit]]" Award, the highest honour awarded by FIFA.<ref>{{cite web |title=FIFA award for Banerjee |url=https://www.thehindu.com/2004/06/23/stories/2004062309591800.htm|work=[[The Hindu]] |date=2004-06-23 |access-date=12 November 2018}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=PK Banerjee gets FIFA Centennial Order of Merit awards |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/pk-banerjee-gets-fifa-centennial-order-of-merit/230174 |website=outlookindia.com |publisher=The Outlook India |access-date=12 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912091912/https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/pk-banerjee-gets-fifa-centennial-order-of-merit/230174 |archive-date=12 September 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-From the 1970s to the 2000s, India saw a decline in their results. Despite the lack of tournament victories, the country managed to produce players like [[Syed Nayeemuddin]] who led India to bronze at the [[Football at the 1970 Asian Games|1970 Asian Games]].<ref>{{cite web |title=1970 Asian Games Bronze Medallist and former India number one Bandya Kakade passes away |url=https://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2012/10/18/3457662/1970-asian-games-bronze-medallist-and-former-india-number |website=goal.com |publisher=Goal |access-date=22 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126050950/https://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2012/10/18/3457662/1970-asian-games-bronze-medallist-and-former-india-number |archive-date=26 November 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> During the 1990s, [[I. M. Vijayan]], India's best player at the time, was capped 66 times for India while scoring 29 goals and captaining the team several times.<ref>{{cite web |title=Invalappil Mani Vijayan - Goals in International Matches |url=http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/imvijayan-intlg.html |website=rsssf.com |publisher=RSSSF |access-date=22 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103633/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/imvijayan-intlg.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
-[[File:Sunil Chhetri (2008 AFC Challenge Cup).jpg|220px|thumb|right|[[Sunil Chhetri]] celebrating after scoring a goal]]
-In 1995, [[Bhaichung Bhutia]] debuted for India. With Bhutia, India qualified for the [[AFC Asian Cup]] after a drought of 27 years.<ref>{{cite web |title=Baichung Bhutia Biography |url=https://www.mapsofindia.com/who-is-who/sports/baichung-bhutia.html |website=www.mapsofindia.com |publisher=Maps of India |access-date=25 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126005725/https://www.mapsofindia.com/who-is-who/sports/baichung-bhutia.html |archive-date=26 November 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was the captain of the team for over ten years.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bhaichung Bhutia-Inspirational leader both on and off the field |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/bhaichung-bhutia-inspirational-leader-both-on-and-off-the-field/article2392770.ece|work=The Hindu|access-date=25 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126005848/https://www.thehindu.com/sport/bhaichung-bhutia-inspirational-leader-both-on-and-off-the-field/article2392770.ece |archive-date=26 November 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bhutia brings down the curtain on his international career |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/bhutia-brings-down-the-curtain-on-his-international-career/article2393542.ece|work=The Hindu|access-date=25 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130326101849/http://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/bhutia-brings-down-the-curtain-on-his-international-career/article2393542.ece |archive-date=26 March 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bhaichung Bhutia Retires From International Football at the Age of 34 |url=https://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2696/indian-national-team/2011/08/24/2633906/bhaichung-bhutia-retires-from-international-football-at-the |website=goal.com |publisher=Goal.Com |access-date=25 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126051014/https://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2696/indian-national-team/2011/08/24/2633906/bhaichung-bhutia-retires-from-international-football-at-the |archive-date=26 November 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Considered one of the greatest footballers of India, he is the second-most-capped player of India with 82 caps and scored 27 times for India. He was awarded the [[Padma Shri]] in 2008<ref name="award winning footballers"/> and [[International Federation of Football History & Statistics|IFFHS]] listed him among the legendary players of football in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=IFFHS ANNOUNCE THE 48 FOOTBALL LEGEND PLAYERS |url=https://iffhs.com/dev/4089/iffhs-has-announced-the-48-football-legend-players/ |website=iffhs.com |publisher=IFFHS |access-date=19 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220002732/https://iffhs.com/dev/4089/iffhs-has-announced-the-48-football-legend-players/ |archive-date=20 February 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
-Under Bhutia's captaincy [[Sunil Chhetri]] debuted for India who is now the only footballer in India's history to have played 100 international matches and is the all-time highest goal-scorer of India.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sunil Chhetri 100th Match: Wishes Pour In, From Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag And Many More |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/football/sunil-chhetri-100th-match-wishes-pour-in-from-sachin-tendulkar-virender-sehwag-and-many-more-1862704 |website=ndtv.com |publisher=NDTV |access-date=15 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115182129/https://sports.ndtv.com/football/sunil-chhetri-100th-match-wishes-pour-in-from-sachin-tendulkar-virender-sehwag-and-many-more-1862704 |archive-date=15 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sunil Chhetri Overtakes Lionel Messi With Second-Highest International Goals Among Active Players |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/football/sunil-chhetri-overtakes-lionel-messi-with-second-highest-international-goals-among-active-players-1973464 |website=ndtv.com |publisher=NDTV |access-date=15 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115234141/https://sports.ndtv.com/football/sunil-chhetri-overtakes-lionel-messi-with-second-highest-international-goals-among-active-players-1973464 |archive-date=15 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Chhetri led the national team to many victories, most importantly qualifying for the [[AFC Asian Cup]] and under his leadership the team achieved its highest FIFA ranking of 96 after twenty-one years.<ref name="india rise from 173rank"/><ref name="India improves ranking"/> His goal-scoring ability and skills made him the only Indian striker to score three hat-tricks for India.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-sports/Chhetri-stars-as-India-wins/article15280546.ece|title=Chhetri stars as India wins|date=14 August 2008|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=15 July 2018|archive-date=3 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703201623/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-sports/Chhetri-stars-as-India-wins/article15280546.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-sports/Sunil-Chetris-hat-trick-sinks-Vietnam/article15774373.ece|title=Sunil Chetri's hat-trick sinks Vietnam|date=9 October 2010|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=15 July 2018|archive-date=3 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703201624/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-sports/Sunil-Chetris-hat-trick-sinks-Vietnam/article15774373.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=chhetrihattrick3hindu>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-sports/chhetri-helps-himself-to-a-triple-strike/article24062431.ece|title=Chhetri helps himself to a triple-strike|date=2 June 2018|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=15 July 2018}}</ref>
-==Competitive record==
-{{See also|India national football team records and statistics#Competition records}}
-==See also==
-{{Portal|India|Association football}}
-* '''Youth Teams'''
-** [[India national under-23 football team|India U-23]]
-** [[India national under-20 football team|India U-20]]
-** [[India national under-17 football team|India U-17]]
-* '''[[Football in India]]'''
-** [[Women's football in India]]
-** [[History of Indian football]]
-** [[Mission XI Million]]
-** [[Futsal Association of India]]
-** [[India national beach soccer team]]
-* '''Miscellaneous'''
-** [[List of India national football team hat-tricks]]
-** [[List of Indian football players in foreign leagues]]
-==References==
-{{reflist|30em}}
-==External links==
+{{Sport-stub}}
-{{Commons category|India national association football team}}
-* [https://www.the-aiff.com/ All India Football Federation]
-* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070611230329/http://www.fifa.com/associations/association=ind/index.html FIFA team profile]
-{{DEFAULTSORT:India National Football Team}}
+[[Category:Asian national football teams]]
-[[Category:India national football team| ]]
 [[Category:Football in India]]
-[[Category:Asian national association football teams]]
-[[Category:AFC Challenge Cup-winning countries]]
-[[Category:1948 establishments in India]]