View source for History of the India national football team

{{short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
The '''history of the [[India national football team]]''' dates back to the 1920s. They have never played in the [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] although they qualified in [[1950 FIFA World Cup|1950]]. They have had no entries in the tournament from 1950 onwards. Indian football team won the Asian Games in 1962 in Jakarta, against S Korea.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/8/main/2011/01/07/2293901/asian-cup-know-your-history-part-one-1956-1988 |title=AFC Asian Cup History - South Korean Monopoly & India's Best Finish |access-date=2 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531055150/https://www.goal.com/en/news/8/main/2011/01/07/2293901/asian-cup-know-your-history-part-one-1956-1988 |archive-date=31 May 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> They have only made three appearances since then.

== Early years ==
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 legendary Indian footballer [[Gostha Pal]].<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> [[Association football|Football]] teams consisting of entirely Indian players started to tour Australia, Japan, [[Indonesia]], and [[Thailand]] during the late 1930s.<ref name="Pierre">{{cite web |url=http://pierretristam.com/pdfs/wc10.pdf |title=Triumphs and Disasters: The Story of Indian Football, 1889--2000. |date= |access-date=2011-10-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813081005/http://pierretristam.com/pdfs/wc10.pdf |archive-date=13 August 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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 Pal]] led his side to victory by 1–0 score.<ref name="pedia.desibantu.com"/><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|date=|access-date=2018-08-20|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">{{cite web|url=http://www.thehardtackle.com/2011/legends-of-indian-football-gostha-pal/|title=LEGENDS OF INDIAN FOOTBALL : GOSTHA PAL|date=20 August 2011|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]]. The match was a draw of 1–1.<ref name="eastbengalclubrecords.wordpress.com">{{cite web|url=https://eastbengalclubrecords.wordpress.com/tag/india-football/|title=INDIA FOOTBALL|date=13 March 2015|access-date=2018-08-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815232827/https://eastbengalclubrecords.wordpress.com/tag/india-football/|archive-date=15 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. 
[[File:India & all European team 1938 Calcutta Charity match.jpg|220px|thumb|left|Indian(in white) and all European(in black) team together before 1 July 1938 Calcutta match.]]
In July 1938, Indian team led by [[Karuna Bhattacharya]], played an international charity match against a visiting all European team at Calcutta, where the European side won by a solitary goal.<ref name="eastbengalclubrecords.wordpress.com"/> 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 men's national soccer team|Australian]] national side too.<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><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> The Indian side was managed by [[Pankaj Gupta]] and led by [[Karuna Bhattacharya]] and the team was considered as an attacking side, consisted of  A Rahim, Pram Lal, Jumma Khan, C Robello, B Sen, [[R. Lumsden (footballer)|R.Lumsden]], Noor Mohammed, A Nandi, K Prosad, who was dubbed as ''"Mickey the mouse"'' by the Australian media for his skills and electric speed at the right wing and the goal was kept by K.Dutt.<ref name="aus tour 1938"/><ref name="1938 aus tour result"/> 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, 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"/>

[[File:India national team at Olympics 1948.jpg|220px|thumb|right|Indian team at [[Football at the 1948 Summer Olympics|1948 Olympics]], [[Talimeren Ao|T. Ao]] at the centre of first row, goal scorer [[Sarangapani Raman|S. Raman]] next to Ao and coach [[Balaidas Chatterjee]] to the extreme right.]]
On their way to [[Football at the 1948 Summer Olympics|1948 London Olympics]], Chinese team again visited India, where they played [[Mohammedan S.C. (Kolkata)|Mohammedan SC]], [[East Bengal]], and [[Mohun Bagan]] then finally on 17 July 1948, a friendly match held at Kolkata, where they were defeated by the India national side by a score of 1–0.<ref name="yuedu.baidu.com">{{cite web|url=https://yuedu.baidu.com/ebook/73bac938b42acfc789eb172ded630b1c59ee9be7###|title=The first volume of the national football century (1913-1948)|date=|access-date=2018-08-20}}</ref> The [[Football at the 1948 Summer Olympics|1948 London Olympics]] was India's first major international tournament, where a predominately barefooted Indian team lost 2–1 to [[France national football team|France]], failing to convert two penalties. The Indian team was greeted and appreciated by the crowd for their sporting manner. ''"The French had been given a run for their money – and that, too, by the barefooted Indians!"'', the British media expressed.<ref name="Pierre"/> At a press conference, shortly after, the Indians were asked why they played barefooted. The ever witty then Indian captain [[Talimeren Ao]] said, ''"Well, you see, we play football in India, whereas you play BOOTBALL!"'' which was applauded by the British. The next day, that comment was splashed in the newspapers of London.<ref name="Pierre"/><ref name="http://morungexpress.com">{{cite web|url=http://morungexpress.com/brief-life-sketch-dr-t-ao-first-naga-olympian/|title=Brief life sketch of Dr T Ao, the First Naga Olympian|date=27 January 2018|access-date=2018-08-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819083036/http://morungexpress.com/brief-life-sketch-dr-t-ao-first-naga-olympian/|archive-date=19 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>[[File:1948 indian team practising at Richmond park.jpg|160px|thumb|left|Indian team practising at Richmond park, London in barefoot as the weather was dry]]The decision of wearing shoes had to make and the Indians finally settled on wearing shoes if the conditions were wet (rainy) and if they had to play on soft grounds and when the conditions were dry,<ref name="europe tour 1948">{{cite web |title=Almost famous - The journey of the first Indian international football team at the 1948 Olympics |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/almost-famous-first-indian-international-football-team-1948-olympics |website=sportskeeda.com |publisher=Sportskeeda |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928113443/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/almost-famous-first-indian-international-football-team-1948-olympics |archive-date=28 September 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> most players opted to play without shoes and instead wore bandages to protect their feet though fine weather, out of 11 players who took the field eight players were bootless and three were in boots.<ref name="the hindu archive 1948 olympics">{{cite web |title=When India almost beat France at Football |url=https://www.sportstarlive.com/football/indian-football/when-india-almost-beat-france-at-football-olympics-1948-world-cup-1950-first-indian-football-team-why-india-does-not-qualify-for-world-cup/article24573413.ece |website=Sportstarlive |date=August 2018 |publisher=The Hindu |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=17 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717124839/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football/when-india-almost-beat-france-at-football-olympics-1948-world-cup-1950-first-indian-football-team-why-india-does-not-qualify-for-world-cup/article24573413.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Sarangapani Raman]] scored the only goal for India in that match and thus the first Indian international goal ever in the Olympics.

While the 1–2 loss to France and first round elimination was a huge disappointment to the team and the public alike, the quality of football that the team displayed had captivated one and all. Indian footballers’ bravery and brilliance in bare feet at the 1948 Olympics earned them no less a fan than [[Princess Margaret]], the younger sister of [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]].<ref name="1948 fifa India story">{{cite web |title=fifa 1948 India olympic story |url=https://www.fifa.com/live-scores/news/y=2012/m=9/news=indian-football-unique-tale-1692684.html |website=fifa.com |publisher=FIFA |access-date=28 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928082949/https://www.fifa.com/live-scores/news/y=2012/m=9/news=indian-football-unique-tale-1692684.html |archive-date=28 September 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Saint of Indian football, Manna da">{{cite news |title=Sailen Manna |url=https://www.economist.com/obituary/2012/03/17/sailen-manna |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |access-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930233614/https://www.economist.com/obituary/2012/03/17/sailen-manna |archive-date=30 September 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Sailen Manna's interview and history">{{cite web |last1=Amitabh |first1=Sharma |title=India's greatest footballer Sailen Manna |url=https://www.sportstarlive.com/tss2915/stories/20060415012103900.htm |website=sportstarlive.com |publisher=Sportstar |access-date=30 September 2018 |archive-date=15 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115205748/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/magazine/indias-greatest-footballer/article29646644.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> So much so that King [[George VI]] invited the team to Buckingham Palace and there, as the story goes, he lifted up Sailen Manna's trouser leg, telling him it was just to check if the Indian really had legs of steel as would appear from the strength of his shots!<ref name="the hindu archive 1948 olympics"/><ref name="europe tour 1948"/><ref name="Saint of Indian football, Manna da"/> But there was football still to be played. Encouraged by the accolades and the positive reception to India's football, the AIFF decided to extend the tour with some friendlies across Europe. Over the next several weeks the team would play some matches that would only enhance its growing reputation.<ref name="the hindu archive 1948 olympics"/><ref name="detail 1948 europe tour by India">{{cite web |title=EXCLUSIVE India's 1948 Europe Tour & the first international match |url=http://blog.cpdfootball.de/2013/03/23/exclusive-indias-1948-europe-tour-the-first-international-match/ |website=blog.cpdfootball.de |publisher=CPDFOOTBALL |access-date=9 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928044121/http://blog.cpdfootball.de/2013/03/23/exclusive-indias-1948-europe-tour-the-first-international-match/ |archive-date=28 September 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="europe tour 1948"/>

In the Netherlands India lost 1–2 against [[Sparta Rotterdam]] but stunned [[AFC Ajax|Ajax Amsterdam]] led by legendary [[Rinus Michels]] by 5–1, two days later.  Back in England and Wales, it put together a string of victories over several teams including [[Boldmere St. Michaels F.C.]], which it met on a muddy pitch at Church Road Ground on 31 August 1948, a day with heavy rainfall.<ref name="the hindu archive 1948 olympics"/><ref name="detail 1948 europe tour by India"/><ref name="europe tour 1948"/> The Indian team was forced to wear boots and a lone goal from B.N. Vajravelu handed India a 1−0 win, with this ended the Europe tour of 1948, a great summer for Indian football history.<ref name="detail 1948 europe tour by India"/>

== 1950s to 1960s ==
{{Further|India national football team results (1947–1959)|India national football team results (1960–1969)}}
In 1950, India managed to qualify for the [[1950 FIFA World Cup]] finals, which was scheduled to take place in Brazil; where it was drawn with [[Sweden men's national football team|Sweden]], [[Italy national football team|Italy]], and [[Paraguay national football team|Paraguay]].<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> This was not due to any success on the pitch, but due to the fact that all their opponents during the qualifying round, withdrew from the pre-tournament qualifiers.<ref name="Brazil"/> However, India themselves withdrew from the World Cup finals before the tournament was to begin. The [[All India Football Federation]] gave various reasons for the team's withdrawal, including travel costs, lack of practice time, and valuing the Olympics above the World Cup.<ref name="Brazil"/>

Despite the reason given out from the AIFF, many football historians and pundits have repeated the tale that 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 |df=dmy-all }}</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 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=The Indian National Team's World Cup qualifying |date=2010-06-14 |access-date=2011-10-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100614204013/http://www.indianfootball.de/data/worldcupq.html |archive-date=14 June 2010 }}</ref>

Despite not participating in the World Cup in 1950, the following years after, from 1951 to 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=2010-12-26 |access-date=2011-10-20 |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 lead 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=9 November 2018|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 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 |date= |access-date=2011-10-20 |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 [[Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament]], which they won three times from 1953 to 1955.<ref>{{cite web|title=Colombo Cup|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/data/colombocup.html|website=IndianFootball.De|access-date=9 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416014805/http://www.indianfootball.de/data/colombocup.html|archive-date=16 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:India national football team at1956 Olympics.png|160px|thumb|right|Indian team at a melee against Australia at [[Association football at the 1956 Summer Olympics|1956 Olympics]].]]
In 1954, India returned to the [[Asian Games]] as defending champions in [[Manila]]. Despite their achievement three years prior, India were 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=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/asgames54.html|website=RSSSF|access-date=9 November 2018|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=9 November 2018|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 men's national soccer team|Australia]] in the quarterfinals. D'Souza's hat-trick was the first hat-trick scored by an Asian in Olympic history and he was the highest goal scorer in that edition of the games along with [[Todor Veselinović]] of [[Yugoslavia national football team|Yugoslavia]] and [[Dimitar Milanov]] of [[Bulgaria national football team|Bulgaria]], 4 goals scored by each.<ref name="Melbourne"/>

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 |date= |access-date=2011-10-20 |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 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 |date= |access-date=2011-10-20 |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 [[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 failed to qualify for 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 |date= |access-date=2011-10-20 |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 |date= |access-date=2011-10-20 |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>

To qualify for the [[Football at the 1960 Summer Olympics|1960 Summer Olympics]], India took part in the qualification round were in the first round, they defeated [[Afghanistan national football team|Afghanistan]] in the 1st leg by 5–2, and withdrew from the 2nd, India proceeded to the second round where they defeated [[Indonesia national football team|Indonesia]] in both legs by 4–2 & 2–0, they qualified for 1960 Summer Olympics which is their last until now. At that edition, India again failed to proceed from the first round, where they saw two defeats of 2–1 & 3–1 by [[Hungary national football team|Hungary]], [[Peru national football team|Peru]] and a draw against [[France national football team|France]] of 1–1.

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. This was India's first Asian Cup appearance. 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 |date= |access-date=2011-10-20 |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> 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 |date= |access-date=2011-10-20 |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>

== 1970s to 1990s ==
{{Further|India national football team results (1970–1979)|India national football team results (1980–1989)|India national football team results (1990–1999)}}
Four years later to 1966 Asian Games, India participated at the  [[1970 Asian Games]], where they 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 |date= |access-date=2011-10-20 |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=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/asgames74.html|website=RSSSF|access-date=9 November 2018|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=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/asgames78.html|website=RSSSF|access-date=9 November 2018|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=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/asgames82.html|website=RSSSF|access-date=9 November 2018|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 |date= |access-date=2011-10-20 |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 [[South Asian Games]] in 1985 and then again won the gold medal in 1987.<ref name="SAG">{{cite web|title=South Asian Games|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/data/saf-games.html|website=IndianFootball.De|access-date=9 November 2018|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"/>

== 2000–2009 ==
{{Further|India national football team results (2000–2009)}}
[[File:IndiavsSyria Nehru Cup-2007.jpg|220px|thumb|left| [[2007 Nehru Cup]] final,
India vs Syria at the Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi]]
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]]. Despite 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]], India finished a point away from qualification for the next round.<ref>{{cite web|title=World Cup qualifying|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2002q.html|website=RSSSF|access-date=9 November 2018|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=https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/saffgold02.html|website=RSSSF|access-date=9 November 2018|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 U21]].<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> Due to 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"/>

[[File:Sunil Chhetri (2008 AFC Challenge Cup).jpg|220px|thumb|right|[[Sunil Chhetri]] celebrating after scoring during the [[2008 AFC Challenge Cup]].]]
[[File:TeamInd.jpg|220px|thumb|right|India celebrating after winning the [[2008 AFC Challenge Cup]].]]
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=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/07asch.html|website=RSSSF|access-date=9 November 2018|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>

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=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/nehru07.html|work=RSSSF|access-date=9 November 2018|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 lead 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 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 until 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 men's 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> Despite staying 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 still praised by fans and pundits for their valiant efforts during the tournament.<ref name="Asian Cup"/>

== 2010–2019 ==
{{Further|India national football team results (2010–2019)}}

=== AFC Asian Cup ===
In 2011, India started off their campaign by participating in [[2011 AFC Asian Cup]] for which they qualified after 24 years. They were placed in strong Group C along with [[South Korea national football team|South Korea]], [[Australia men's national soccer team|Australia]] and [[Bahrain national football team|Bahrain]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportzpower.com/?q=content/afc-asian-cup-2011-india-drawn-group-c |title=AFC Asian Cup 2011: India drawn in Group C |publisher=SportzPower |date= |access-date=2011-10-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401063638/http://www.sportzpower.com/?q=content%2Fafc-asian-cup-2011-india-drawn-group-c |archive-date=1 April 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> India lost all three matches but did manage to perform well in patches. Goalkeeper [[Subrata Pal]] won a lot of accolades for his performances.<ref>{{cite web |author=Article written by Somnath Sengupta |url=http://www.thehardtackle.com/index.php/india-in-afc-asian-cup-2011-performance-review/ |title=India in AFC Asian Cup 2011: Performance Review |publisher=Thehardtackle.com |date=2011-01-20 |access-date=2011-10-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604234527/http://www.thehardtackle.com/index.php/india-in-afc-asian-cup-2011-performance-review/ |archive-date=4 June 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
!width=170 |Team
!width=20 |{{Tooltip| Pld | Played}}
!width=20 |{{Tooltip| W | Won}}
!width=20 |{{Tooltip| D | Drawn}}
!width=20 |{{Tooltip| L | Lost}}
!width=20 |{{Tooltip| GF | Goals for}}
!width=20 |{{Tooltip| GA | Goals against}}
!width=20 |{{Tooltip| GD | Goal difference}}
!width=20 |{{Tooltip| Pts | Points}}
|-
|align=left|{{fb|AUS}}
|3||2||1||0||6||1||+5||'''7'''
|-
|align=left|{{fb|KOR}}
|3||2||1||0||7||3||+4||'''7'''
|-
|align=left|{{fb|BHR}}
|3||1||0||2||6||5||+1||'''3'''
|- style="background:#fcc;"
|align=left|{{fb|IND}}
|3||0||0||3||3||13||−10||'''0'''
|}

{{football box collapsible
|date= 10 January 2011
|time = 16:15
|team1={{fb-rt|IND}}
|score=[[2011 AFC Asian Cup Group C#India vs Australia|0 – 4]]
|report=
|team2={{fb|AUS}}
|goals1=
|goals2=[[Tim Cahill|Cahill]] {{goal|11||65}} <br> [[Harry Kewell|Kewell]] {{goal|24}} <br> [[Brett Holman|Holman]] {{goal|45+1}}
|stadium= [[Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium]], [[Doha]]
|attendance=11,749
|referee=Ali Al Badwawi ([[United Arab Emirates Football Association|UAE]]) }}
{{football box collapsible
|date= 14 January 2011
|time = 19:15
|team1={{fb-rt|BHR}}
|score=[[2011 AFC Asian Cup Group C#Bahrain vs India|5 – 2]]
|report=
|team2={{fb|IND}}
|goals1= [[Faouzi Mubarak Aaish|Aaish]] {{goal|8|pen.}} <br> [[Ismaeel Abdullatif|Abdullatif]] {{goal|16||19||36||77}}
|goals2= [[Gouramangi Singh|Gouramangi]] {{goal|9}} <br> [[Sunil Chhetri|Chhetri]] {{goal|52}}
|stadium= [[Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium]], [[Doha]]
|attendance= 11,032
|referee=[[Subkhiddin Mohd Salleh]] ([[Football Association of Malaysia|Malaysia]]) }}
{{football box collapsible
|date= 18 January 2011
|time = 16:15 
|team1={{fb-rt|KOR}}
|score=[[2011 AFC Asian Cup Group C#South Korea vs India|4 – 1]]
|report=
|team2='''{{fb|IND}}'''
|goals1= [[Ji Dong-Won]] {{goal|6}}<br>[[Koo Ja-Cheol]] {{goal|9}}<br>[[Ji Dong-Won]] {{goal|23}}<br>[[Son Heung-Min]] {{goal|81}}
|goals2=[[Sunil Chhetri|Chhetri]] {{goal|12|pen.}}
|stadium= [[Al Gharafa Stadium]], [[Doha]]
|attendance= 11,366
|referee=[[Khalil Al Ghamdi]] ([[Saudi Arabia Football Federation|Saudi Arabia]]) }}

=== After 2011 Asian Cup ===
After participating the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, India's quest to qualify for the [[2015 AFC Asian Cup|2015 edition]] of the tournament began in February 2011 with [[2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualification|AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers]]. [[Bob Houghton]] decided to change the makeup of the India squad, replacing many of the aging 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 with ease.<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 the good result though with a young side, the AIFF decided to terminate the contract of Bob Houghton.<ref>{{cite news|title=Englishman Bob Houghton sacked as Manager of India|url=http://www.caughtoffside.com/2011/02/24/englishman-houghton-sacked-by-india/|access-date=17 March 2017|work=Caught OffSide|date=24 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322111641/http://www.caughtoffside.com/2011/02/24/englishman-houghton-sacked-by-india/|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
India played its first match in [[2012 AFC Challenge Cup]] qualification on 21 March winning 3–0 against [[Chinese Taipei]], with [[Jewel Raja Shaikh]], [[Sunil Chhetri]] and [[Jeje Lalpekhlua]] scoring the goals. On 23 March they faced [[Pakistan national football team|Pakistan]]. India came from behind and defeated [[Pakistan national football team|Pakistan]] 3–1 with [[Jeje Lalpekhlua]] scoring 2 goals and [[Steven Dias]] scoring one. On 25 March they faced [[Turkmenistan]] in their last [[2012 AFC Challenge Cup]] qualifying game and. India drew the game 1–1. The result meant that they finished on top of Group B and qualified for the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/men-a-youth/afc-challenge-cup/34014-turkmenistan-v-india |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913024538/http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/men-a-youth/afc-challenge-cup/34014-turkmenistan-v-india |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-09-13 |title=Turkmenistan 1-1 India |publisher=The-afc.com |date=2011-03-25 |access-date=2011-10-20 }}</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> Despite leading India to another [[SAFF Championship]] victory, Medeira lead India 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|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> Koeverman's first job as head coach was the [[2012 Nehru Cup]]. India won their third successive Nehru Cup, defeating [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]] side 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>
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 vs Thailand 2019 AFC Asian Cup GA.jpg|thumb|left|alt=|India 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: YOUTHFUL 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]] and is the biggest ever Asia cup win for the team and its first one 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 |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 |title=India Lose to Bahrain, Crash Out of AFC Asian Cup - Highlights and Analysis |url=https://www.newsclick.in/india-vs-bahrain-afc-asian-cup-live-football-score-live-updates-ind-verge-history |website=newsclick.in |publisher=Newsclick |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=2019-01-15|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>

{{Football box collapsible
|round = [[2019 AFC Asian Cup Group A|Asian Cup G.S.]]
|date = 6 January
|time = 19:00 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
|team1 = {{fb-rt|THA}}
|score = 1–4
|report = [http://stats.the-afc.com/match_report/13256 AFC] [https://the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9406 AIFF]
|team2 = {{fb|IND}}
|goals1 = [[Teerasil Dangda|Dangda]] {{goal|33}}
|goals2 = [[Sunil Chhetri|Chhetri]] {{goal|27|pen.|46}}<br/>[[Anirudh Thapa|Thapa]] {{goal|68}}<br/>[[Jeje Lalpekhlua|Lalpekhlua]] {{goal|80}}
|stadium = [[Al Nahyan Stadium]]
|location = [[Abu Dhabi]], United Arab Emirates
|attendance = 3,250
|referee = [[Liu Kwok Man]] ([[Hong Kong Football Association|Hong Kong]])
}}

{{Football box collapsible
|round = [[2019 AFC Asian Cup Group A|Asian Cup G.S.]]
|date = 10 January
|time = 21:30 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
|team1 = {{fb-rt|IND}}
|score = 0–2
|report = [http://stats.the-afc.com/match_report/13258 AFC] [https://the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9421 AIFF]
|team2 = {{fb|UAE}}
|goals1 = 
|goals2 = [[Khalfan Mubarak|Khalf. Mubarak]] {{goal|41}}<br/>[[Ali Mabkhout|Mabkhout]] {{goal|88}}
|stadium = [[Zayed Sports City Stadium]]
|location = [[Abu Dhabi]], United Arab Emirates
|attendance = 43,206
|referee = [[César Arturo Ramos]] ([[Mexican Football Federation|Mexico]])
}}

{{Football box collapsible
|round = [[2019 AFC Asian Cup Group A|Asian Cup G.S.]]
|date = 14 January
|time = 21:30 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
|team1 = {{fb-rt|IND}}
|score = 0–1
|report = [http://stats.the-afc.com/match_report/13260 AFC] [https://the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9431 AIFF]
|team2 = {{fb|BHR}}
|goals1 = 
|goals2 = [[Jamal Rashid|Rashid]] {{goal|90+1|pen.}}
|stadium = [[Sharjah Stadium (football)|Sharjah Stadium]]
|location = [[Sharjah]], United Arab Emirates
|attendance = 11,417
|referee = Ilgiz Tantashev ([[Uzbekistan Football Association|Uzbekistan]])
}}

On 15 May 2019, the AIFF announced former [[Croatia national football team|Croatian]] player [[Igor Štimac]] as the team's head coach after the departure of 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-date=18 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518164959/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9674 |url-status=live }}</ref> Under his coaching India's first campaign was [[2019 King's Cup]] where the first match was against [[Curaçao national football team|Curaçao]], which ended up as 3−1 loss.<ref>{{cite web |title=New look Blue tigers go down to Curacao |date=5 June 2019 |url=https://the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9733 |publisher=AIFF |access-date=8 June 2019 |archive-date=1 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101022453/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9733 |url-status=live }}</ref> In that match Štimac had given six players their international debut.<ref>{{cite web |title=Six newly capped Blue Tigers recall 'Unforgettable and Emotional' debut |date=6 June 2019 |url=https://the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9737 |publisher=AIFF |access-date=8 June 2019 |archive-date=17 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717124915/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/six-newly-capped-blue-tigers-recall-unforgettable-and-emotional-debut |url-status=live }}</ref> In the next match against the host [[Thailand national football team|Thailand]] they managed a 1−0 victory acquiring the third place in the tournament.<ref>{{cite web |title=Young India beat Thailand, finished third in King's Cup |date=8 June 2019 |url=https://the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9743 |publisher=AIFF |access-date=8 June 2019 |archive-date=17 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717124927/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/young-india-beat-thailand-finish-third-in-kings-cup |url-status=live }}</ref> Štimac's major campaign with India was [[2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round|2022 World Cup qualification]], 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-date=22 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122155347/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9899 |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-date=22 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122155136/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9912 |url-status=live }}</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 tournament 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>

In the [[2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification – third round|third round of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification]], India was drawn in the same group with [[Afghanistan national football team|Afghanistan]], [[Hong Kong national football team|Hong Kong]] and [[Cambodia national football team|Cambodia]]. Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], India was chosen as the host of the group of the qualifiers while the qualification was reduced into a single round robin format.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/afc-confirms-indias-bid-to-host-afc-asian-cup-china-2023-third-round-qualifiers-in-kolkata#:~:text=NEW%20DELHI%3A%20The%20Asian%20Football,at%20the%20VYBK%20in%20Kolkata.|title=AFC confirms India's bid to host AFC Asian Cup China 2023 third round Qualifiers in Kolkata|access-date=8 October 2022|archive-date=8 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008160316/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/afc-confirms-indias-bid-to-host-afc-asian-cup-china-2023-third-round-qualifiers-in-kolkata#:~:text=NEW%20DELHI%3A%20The%20Asian%20Football,at%20the%20VYBK%20in%20Kolkata.|url-status=live}}</ref> Using this home advantage, India was able to top the group with three wins against Cambodia (2–0), Afghanistan (2–1) and Hong Kong (4–0),  therefore for the first time, India qualified for two consecutive AFC Asian Cups in history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/football/india-get-to-asian-cup-with-a-four-goal-flourish-against-hong-kong-101655228874259.html|title=India get to Asian Cup with a four-goal flourish against Hong Kong|date=14 June 2022 |access-date=18 October 2022|archive-date=21 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921132901/https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/football/india-get-to-asian-cup-with-a-four-goal-flourish-against-hong-kong-101655228874259.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2022, India participated for the first time in the [[2022 VFF Tri-Nations Series|VFF Cup]] where they played two friendly matches, a 1–1 draw against [[Singapore national football team|Singapore]] and a 3–0 defeat by [[Vietnam national football team|Vietnam]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Highlights India 1-1 Singapore: Ashique, Ikhsan goals keep scores level at FT; Both teams with a point |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football/india-vs-singapore-hung-thinh-tournament-live-score-updates-result-highlights-lineups/article65929625.ece |access-date=19 June 2023|agency=[[Press Trust of India]] |work=[[Sportstar]] |publisher=[[The Hindu]] |date=24 September 2022|archive-date=24 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924154332/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football/india-vs-singapore-hung-thinh-tournament-live-score-updates-result-highlights-lineups/article65929625.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=HIGHLIGHTS: Vietnam beats India 3-0, wins Hung Thinh friendly tournament |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/india-vs-vietnam-live-score-friendly-lineups-updates-hung-thinh-tournament-highlights/article65941659.ece |access-date=19 June 2023 |work=[[Sportstar]] |agency=[[Press Trust of India]] |publisher=[[The Hindu]] |date=27 September 2022|archive-date=29 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329204051/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/india-vs-vietnam-live-score-friendly-lineups-updates-hung-thinh-tournament-highlights/article65941659.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2023, India won the [[2023 Tri-Nation Series (India)|2023 Tri-Nation Series]] and the [[2023 Intercontinental Cup (India)|2023 Intercontinental Cup]], both were organised by AIFF. India beat [[Myanmar national football team|Myanmar]] by 1–0 and [[Kyrgyzstan national football team|Kyrgyzstan]] by 2–0 in the Tri-Nation series.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sagar |first1=Sunaadh |title=Tri-Nations football: India show strength in depth but goals are a worry |url=https://www.espn.in/football/story/_/id/37637568/india-vs-kyrgyz-republic-tri-nations-takeaways-myanmar |website=espn.in |publisher=[[ESPN]] (India) |access-date=19 June 2023|date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607183307/https://www.espn.in/football/story/_/id/37637568/india-vs-kyrgyz-republic-tri-nations-takeaways-myanmar|archive-date=7 June 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> India registered two victory against [[Mongolia national football team|Mongolia]] and [[Vanuatu national football team|Vanuatu]] and a draw against [[Lebanon national football team|Lebanon]], before facing Lebanon again in the final of Intercontinental Cup and defeated them by 2–0 to win the title for the second time.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rawat|first=Akhil |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/quick-fire-india-sink-mongolia-to-kick-off-hero-intercontinental-cup |title=Quick-fire India sink Mongolia to kick off Hero Intercontinental Cup|date=9 June 2023 |access-date=11 June 2023|website=the-aiff.com |archive-date=11 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230611063608/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/quick-fire-india-sink-mongolia-to-kick-off-hero-intercontinental-cup |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Rawat|first=Akhil |title=Chhetri's late winner against Vanuatu books India's Hero Intercontinental Cup final berth |date=13 June 2023 |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/chhetris-late-winner-against-vanuatu-books-indias-hero-intercontinental-cup-final-berth |publisher=AIFF |accessdate=13 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613080102/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/chhetris-late-winner-against-vanuatu-books-indias-hero-intercontinental-cup-final-berth|archive-date=13 June 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Rawat|first=Akhil |title=Champions! Chhetri and his knights make it a momentous night for India |date=18 June 2023 |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/champions-chhetri-and-his-knights-make-it-a-momentous-night-for-india |publisher=AIFF |accessdate=18 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230618173241/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/champions-chhetri-and-his-knights-make-it-a-momentous-night-for-india|archive-date=18 June 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following the Tri-Nation Series and the Intercontinental Cup, India won the [[2023 SAFF Championship|2023 SAFF championship]], their third title in the year 2023 at home soil.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dey |first1=Aneesh |title=Technically and tactically, we're not there yet; we need improvement in all areas: Sunil Chhetri |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/sunil-chhetri-indian-football-team-performance-improvement-saff-championship-win-afc-asian-cup-2024/article67060193.ece |access-date=12 July 2023 |work=[[Sportstar]] |publisher=[[The Hindu]]|archive-date=9 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709235421/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/sunil-chhetri-indian-football-team-performance-improvement-saff-championship-win-afc-asian-cup-2024/article67060193.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> India defeated [[Pakistan national football team|Pakistan]] 4–0 and [[Nepal national football team|Nepal]] 2–0 and drawn 1–1 against [[Kuwait national football team|Kuwait]] in the group stage.<ref name="chhetrihattrick4AIFF">{{cite web |last1=Rawat |first1=Akhil |title=A Diamond is Forever: Super Sunil's hat-trick sinks Pakistan|publisher=AIFF|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/a-diamond-is-forever-super-sunils-hat-trick-sinks-pakistan |access-date=21 June 2023|date=21 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621175231/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/a-diamond-is-forever-super-sunils-hat-trick-sinks-pakistan|archive-date=21 June 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=SAFF Championship 2023 match report: Nepal vs India |url=https://saffederation.org/uploads/64971d8ad1d63.pdf |publisher=[[South Asian Football Federation|SAFF]] |access-date=27 June 2023|date=24 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624175157/https://saffederation.org/uploads/64971d8ad1d63.pdf|archive-date=24 June 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=SAFF Championship 2023 match report: India vs Kuwait|url=https://saffederation.org/uploads/649b1b22326b6.pdf |publisher=[[South Asian Football Federation|SAFF]] |access-date=27 June 2023|date=27 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627224534/https://saffederation.org/uploads/649b1b22326b6.pdf|archive-date=27 June 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> After defeating Lebanon in [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalty shoot-out]] in the semi–finals, India faced Kuwait again in the tournament for the final. The match was tied 1–1 till the [[Overtime (sports)#Association football|added time]] and eventually India defeated Kuwait in the penalty shoot-out to lift the SAFF Cup for a record nine times. Sunil Chhetri was the highest goal scorer in the tournament with 5 goals, including a hat-trick against Pakistan, his fourth for the national team. With this hat-trick he scored 92 international goals, becoming the second-[[List of men's footballers with 50 or more international goals|highest international goalscorer]] from Asia of all time. His tally of 92 puts him as the fourth-highest goalscorer in the history of international football.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rawat |first1=Akhil |title=Double, double toil and treble: Blue Tigers bask in SAFF C'ship glory|publisher=AIFF|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/double-double-toil-and-treble-blue-tigers-bask-in-saff-cship-glory |access-date=12 July 2023|date=5 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712113849/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/double-double-toil-and-treble-blue-tigers-bask-in-saff-cship-glory|archive-date=12 July 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="chhetrihattrick4">{{cite news |title=Sunil Chhetri becomes fourth-highest goal-scorer in international football |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/sports/football/sunil-chhetri-becomes-fourth-highest-goal-scorer-in-international-football20230621230322/#:~:text=Karnataka%20(Bengaluru)%20%5BIndia%5D,scorer%20in%20international%20football%20history. |access-date=21 June 2023 |work=[[Asian News International]] |date=21 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621182322/https://www.aninews.in/news/sports/football/sunil-chhetri-becomes-fourth-highest-goal-scorer-in-international-football20230621230322/|archive-date=21 June 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Home stadiums ==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;font-size:100%;"
!colspan=5 style="background: #0000FF; color: #FFFFFF;|India national football team home stadiums
|-
!Image
!Stadium
!Capacity
!Location
!Last match
|-
|-
|[[File:Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi.png|150px]]
|style="text-align:left"|[[Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Delhi)|Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium]]
|style="text-align:left"|60,254
|style="text-align:left"|Pragati Vihar, [[New Delhi]]
|style="text-align:left"|'''v'''&nbsp;&nbsp;{{fb|CMR}}<br><small>(31 August 2012; [[2012 Nehru Cup]])</small>
|-
|[[File:Salt lake Stadium, Kolkata.jpg|150px]]
|style="text-align:left"|[[Salt Lake Stadium]]
|style="text-align:left"|85,000
|style="text-align:left"|[[Bidhannagar|Salt Lake]], [[Kolkata Metropolitan Area|Greater Kolkata]], [[West Bengal]]
|style="text-align:left"|'''v'''&nbsp;&nbsp;{{fb|KUW}}<br><small>(6 June 2024; [[2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round#Group A|2026 FIFA World Cup qualification]])</small>
|-
|[[File:KalingaStadium.jpg|150px]]
|style="text-align:left"|[[Kalinga Stadium]]
|style="text-align:left"|12,000
|style="text-align:left"|Bidyut Marg, [[Bhubaneshwar]], [[Odisha]]
|style="text-align:left"|'''v'''&nbsp;&nbsp;{{fb|QAT}}<br><small>(21 November 2023; [[2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round#Group A|2026 FIFA World Cup qualification]])</small>
|-
|[[File:Main Stand of the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati.jpg|150px]]
|style="text-align:left"|[[Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium]]
|style="text-align:left"|25,000
|style="text-align:left"|[[Sarusajai]], [[Guwahati]], [[Assam]]
|style="text-align:left"|'''v'''&nbsp;&nbsp;{{fb|OMA}}<br><small>(5 September 2019; [[2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round|2022 FIFA World Cup qualification]])</small>
|-
|[[File:EKA Arena Stadium(TransStadia).jpg|150px]]
|style="text-align:left"|[[EKA Arena|TransStadia]]
|style="text-align:left"|20,000
|style="text-align:left"|[[Kankaria Lake]], [[Ahmedabad]], [[Gujarat]]
|style="text-align:left"|'''v'''&nbsp;&nbsp;{{fb|SYR}}<br><small>(16 July 2019; [[2019 Intercontinental Cup (India)|Intercontinental Cup]])</small>
|-
|[[File:Mumbai Football Arena.jpg|150px]]
|style="text-align:left"|[[Mumbai Football Arena]]
|style="text-align:left"|18,000
|style="text-align:left"|[[Andheri]] West, [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]]
|style="text-align:left"|'''v'''&nbsp;&nbsp;{{fb|KEN}}<br><small>(10 Jun 2018; [[2018 Intercontinental Cup (India)#Final|Intercontinental Cup <br/> Final]])</small>
|-
|[[File:Fatorda Stadium, Goa.jpg|150px]]
|style="text-align:left"|[[Fatorda Stadium]]
|style="text-align:left"|19,000
|style="text-align:left"|[[Fatorda]], [[Margão]], [[Goa]]
|style="text-align:left"|'''v'''&nbsp;&nbsp;{{fb|MYA}}<br><small>(14 November 2017; [[2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – third round|Asian Cup qualifier]])</small>
|-
|[[File:Sree Kanteerava Stadium.jpg|150px]]
|style="text-align:left"|[[Sree Kanteerava Stadium]]
|style="text-align:left"|25,810
|style="text-align:left"|[[Bangalore]], [[Karnataka]]
|style="text-align:left"|'''v'''&nbsp;&nbsp;{{fb|KUW}}<br><small>(4 July 2023; [[2023 SAFF Championship]])</small>
|-
|[[File:Jewharlal Nehru Stadium Kochi ISL 2016 Final.jpg|150px]]
|style="text-align:left"|[[Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Kochi)|Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium]]
|style="text-align:left"|41,000
|style="text-align:left"|[[Kaloor]], [[Kochi]], [[Kerala]]
|style="text-align:left"|'''v'''&nbsp;&nbsp;{{fb|TKM}}<br><small>(29 March 2016; [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round|World Cup Qualifier]])</small>
|-
|[[File:Greenfield International Stadium Kerala 2.jpg|150px]]
|style="text-align:left"|[[Greenfield International Stadium]]
|style="text-align:left"|50,000
|style="text-align:left"|[[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Kerala]]
|style="text-align:left"|'''v'''&nbsp;&nbsp;{{fb|AFG|2013}}<br><small>(3 January 2016; [[2015 SAFF Championship Final]])</small>
|-
|[[File:Khuman Lampak Stadium.jpg|150px]]
|style="text-align:left"|[[Khuman Lampak Main Stadium]]
|style="text-align:left"|35,285
|style="text-align:left"|[[Imphal]], [[Manipur]]
|style="text-align:left"|'''v'''&nbsp;&nbsp;{{fb|KGZ}}<br><small>(28 March 2023; [[2023 Tri-Nation Series (India)]])</small>
|-
|[[File:Gachibowli Outdoor 35.JPG|150px]]
|style="text-align:left"|[[G. M. C. Balayogi Athletic Stadium]]
|style="text-align:left"|18,000
|style="text-align:left"|[[Hyderabad]], [[Telangana]]
|style="text-align:left"|'''v'''&nbsp;&nbsp;{{fb|MAS}}<br><small>(18 November 2024; [[Exhibition game#Association football|Friendly]])</small>
|}

== Kit history ==
The India national team plays in blue, the colour of the [[Ashoka Chakra]] on the [[Flag of India|Indian flag]].<ref name="SW">{{cite news |title=Why Indian cricket, football and other sports' teams wear blue jersey? |url=https://sportzwiki.com/cricket/why-are-indian-cricket-football-and-other-sport-teams-wear-blue-jerseys/ |access-date=13 December 2018 |work=SportszWiki |date=28 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214165913/https://sportzwiki.com/cricket/why-are-indian-cricket-football-and-other-sport-teams-wear-blue-jerseys/ |archive-date=14 December 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> The other colours on the flag, saffron, white, and India green, were deemed too controversial to be used as the main colour, as jerseys with saffron and green are often used by neighbouring countries.<ref name="SW"/> Blue as the national colour for India was soon made more prominent due to the success of the [[India national cricket team|cricket]] and [[India men's national field hockey team|field hockey]] teams. 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>
[[File:Indian Team.JPG|upright=1.2|left|thumb|alt=Photo of eleven men, six standing and five kneeling down, inside a stadium|India in 2007, wearing their traditional blue jersey.]]
The national team kits and uniforms have evolved as the game has over the years and in recent times new technologies have been utilised to improve the kits and uniforms. At the turn of the 21st century, India wore a sky blue shirt with black pants 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 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> The deal was for seven years.<ref name="HTK"/> 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> 
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:India national football team jersey home 2019.jpg|upright=1.4|right|thumb|145px|India home jersey for [[2019 AFC Asian Cup]] in sky blue and orange tiger stripes on arm.{{deletable image-caption|Sunday, 2 June 2019|F7}}]] -->
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> Nike made a simplistic kit in 2006 with a light blue shirt with a little shade of white on the shirt and white short. The 2009-10 Nike kit was a throwback to the 2006-07 kit but the blue colour got a bit darker and they experimented with horizontal stripes for the first time in 2013.<ref name="SK3"/> 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> Inspired by the history and heritage of the Blue Tigers, India's latest Nike national team kit features a new shade of blue and an orange stripe that runs the length of the jersey and shorts. That stripe expands when a player is in motion to maximize ventilation, complementing Nike's proprietary Dri-FIT technology that helps draw sweat away from the body. These features allow players to perform at their best by remaining cool, dry and more comfortable.

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 jersey 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> with the home colour had a similar sky blue shade and the away colour was changed to white from orange but both the jerseys had unique design embellished on the sleeves representing tiger stripes to pay homage to the Indian football fans, who affectionately calls the team "Blue Tigers", where as the goalkeeper's jersey replaced the light green to orange colour with the same sleeves design.<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> In 2023, Performax, a sportswear brand from [[Reliance Retail|Reliance Retail's]] wide-ranging fashion and lifestyle portfolio, has partnered with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to become the official kit and merchandise sponsor of the Indian football team.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-09-07 |title=AIFF announces Reliance Retail's Performax Activewear as official kit sponsor for Indian team |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/aiff-announces-reliance-retails-performax-activewear-as-official-kit-sponsor-for-indian-team/articleshow/103465593.cms |access-date=2024-01-18 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

===Kit sponsorship===
{{Commons|India national football team kits}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:centre;"
|-
! style="text-align: center;" | '''Kit supplier'''
! style="text-align: center;" | '''Period'''
|-
|align="Centre"| [[Adidas]] || 2002–2006
|-
|align="Centre"| [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] ||2006–2018
|-
|align="Centre"| SIX5SIX||2019–2023
|-
|align="Centre"| [[Reliance Retail|Performax]]||2023–
|-
|}

== FIFA World Rankings ==
{{updated|20 July 2023}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/men?dateId=id13974 |title=The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking - Associations - India - Men's |publisher=[[FIFA]] |access-date=6 April 2023 |archive-date=9 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409082610/https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/men?dateId=id13974|url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/IND|title=India Men's and Women's Ranking|publisher=FIFA}}</ref>

{{Color box|blue|border=darkgray}} '''Best ranking'''&nbsp;&nbsp; <br>{{Color box|green|border=darkgray}} '''Best mover'''&nbsp;&nbsp; <br>{{Color box|yellow|border=darkgray}} '''Worst ranking'''&nbsp;&nbsp; <br>{{Color box|red|border=darkgray}} '''Worst mover'''&nbsp;&nbsp;

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!colspan=12 style="background: #013A5E; color: #FFFFFF;|[[FIFA World Rankings|{{color|#FFFFFF|India's FIFA world rankings}}]]
|-
!rowspan=2|
!rowspan=2|Rank
!rowspan=2|Year
!rowspan=2|Games played
!rowspan=2|Won
!rowspan=2|Drawn
!rowspan=2|Lost
!colspan=2|Best
!colspan=2|Worst
|-
!Rank
!Move
!Rank
!Move
|-
|  || 99 ||[[India national football team results (2020–present)#2023|2023]] || 11 || 7 || 4 || 0
| 99 ||align=left|{{increase}} 1 || –||align=left|{{decrease}} –
|-
|  || 106 ||[[India national football team results (2020–present)#2022|2022]] || 8 || 3 || 1 || 4
| 104 ||align=left|{{increase}} 0 || 106 ||align=left|{{decrease}} 1
|-
|  || 105 ||[[India national football team results (2020–present)#2021|2021]] || 12 || 5 || 5 || 2
| 104 ||align=left|{{increase}} 0 || 105 ||align=left|{{decrease}} 1
|-
|  || 104 ||[[India national football team results (2020–present)#2020|2020]] || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
| 104 ||align=left|{{increase}} 4 || 109 ||align=left|{{decrease}} 1
|-
| || 108 ||[[India national football team results (2010–2019)#2019|2019]] || 13 || 2 || 7 || 4
| 101 ||align=left|{{increase}} 2|| 108 ||align=left|{{decrease}} 6
|-
| {{Color box|blue|border=darkgray}}|| 97 ||[[India national football team results (2010–2019)#2018|2018]] || 12 || 6 || 2 || 4
| 96 ||align=left|{{increase}} 3 || 102 ||align=left|{{decrease}} 1
|-
| {{Color box|green|border=darkgray}} || 105 ||[[India national football team results (2010–2019)#2017|2017]] || 9 || 7 || 2 || 0
| 96 ||align=left|{{increase}} 31 || 132  ||align=left|{{decrease}} 10
|-
| || 135 ||[[India national football team results (2010–2019)#2016|2016]] || 6 || 4 || 0 || 2
| 135 ||align=left|{{increase}}  11|| 163 ||align=left|{{decrease}} 1
|-
|{{Color box|yellow|border=darkgray}} || 166 ||[[India national football team results (2010–2019)#2015|2015]] || 12 || 5 || 2 || 5
| 141 ||align=left|{{increase}} 26 || 173 ||align=left|{{decrease}} 15
|-
| || 171 ||[[India national football team results (2010–2019)#2014|2014]] || 2 || 0 || 1 || 1
| 145 ||align=left|{{increase}}  7|| 171  ||align=left|{{decrease}} 11
|-
| || 154 ||[[India national football team results (2010–2019)#2013|2013]] || 12 || 5 || 2 || 5
| 146 ||align=left|{{increase}}  24|| 167 ||align=left|{{decrease}} 10
|-
| || 166 ||[[India national football team results (2010–2019)#2012|2012]] || 11 || 2 || 2 || 7
| 154 ||align=left|{{increase}}  4|| 169 ||align=left|{{decrease}} 7
|-
| || 162 ||[[India national football team results (2010–2019)#2011|2011]] ||19 ||7 ||5 ||7
| 144 ||align=left|{{increase}}  3|| 163  ||align=left|{{decrease}} 6
|-
|{{Color box|red|border=darkgray}} || 142 || [[India national football team results (2010–2019)#2010|2010]] ||9 ||2 ||0 ||7
| 130 ||align=left|{{increase}}  16|| 168 ||align=left|{{decrease}} 22
|-
| || 134 || [[India national football team results (2000–2009)#2009|2009]] ||6 ||2 ||1 ||3
| 134 ||align=left|{{increase}}  11||156  ||align=left|{{decrease}} 9
|-
| ||143 || [[India national football team results (2000–2009)#2008|2008]] ||12 ||8 ||3 ||1
|143 ||align=left|{{increase}}  4||154  ||align=left|{{decrease}} 6
|-
| ||143 || [[India national football team results (2000–2009)#2007|2007]] ||7 ||4 ||1 ||2
| 143 ||align=left|{{increase}}  11|| 165 ||align=left|{{decrease}} 8
|-
| ||157 || [[India national football team results (2000–2009)#2006|2006]] ||6 ||0 ||0 ||6
|117 ||align=left|{{increase}}  9||157 ||align=left|{{decrease}} 13
|-
| ||127 || [[India national football team results (2000–2009)#2005|2005]] ||10 ||5 ||2 ||3
| 127 ||align=left|{{increase}}  8|| 135 ||align=left|{{decrease}} 3
|-
| ||132 || [[India national football team results (2000–2009)#2004|2004]] ||10 ||3 ||2 ||5
|132 ||align=left|{{increase}}  8||143  ||align=left|{{decrease}} 11
|-
| ||127 || [[India national football team results (2000–2009)#2003|2003]] ||8 ||2 ||2 ||4
|122 ||align=left|{{increase}}  5||133 ||align=left|{{decrease}} 3
|-
| ||127 || [[India national football team results (2000–2009)#2002|2002]] ||2 ||1 ||1 ||0
|120 ||align=left|{{increase}}  4||130 ||align=left|{{decrease}} 6
|-
| ||121 || [[India national football team results (2000–2009)#2001|2001]] ||8 ||3 ||2 ||3
|113 ||align=left|{{increase}}  5||124 ||align=left|{{decrease}} 4
|-
| ||122 ||[[India national football team results (2000–2009)#2000|2000]] ||4 ||1 ||1 ||2
|106 ||align=left|{{increase}}  0||122  ||align=left|{{decrease}} 5
|-
| ||106 ||[[India national football team results (1990–1999)#1999|1999]] ||13 ||8 ||2 ||3
|106 ||align=left|{{increase}}  4||116  ||align=left|{{decrease}} 6
|-
| ||110 ||[[India national football team results (1990–1999)#1998|1998]] ||7 ||1 ||1 ||5
|110 ||align=left|{{increase}}  17||117  ||align=left|{{decrease}} 6
|-
| ||112 ||[[India national football team results (1990–1999)#1997|1997]] ||8 ||3 ||3 ||2
|109 ||align=left|{{increase}}  10||121  ||align=left|{{decrease}} 3
|-
| ||120 ||[[India national football team results (1990–1999)#1996|1996]] ||5 ||1 ||1 ||3
|94 ||align=left|{{increase}}  30||124 ||align=left|{{decrease}} 11
|-
| ||121 ||[[India national football team results (1990–1999)#1995|1995]] ||8 ||3 ||3 ||2
|111 ||align=left|{{increase}}  5 ||121 ||align=left|{{decrease}} 11
|-
| ||109 ||[[India national football team results (1990–1999)#1994|1994]] ||4 ||1 ||0  ||3
|101 ||align=left|{{increase}}  9||113 ||align=left|{{decrease}} 8
|-
| ||100 ||[[India national football team results (1990–1999)#1993|1993]] ||16 ||11 ||3 ||2
|99 ||align=left|{{increase}}  29||129  ||align=left|{{decrease}} 1
|-
|||143 ||[[India national football team results (1990–1999)#1992|1992]] ||2 ||1 ||0 ||1
| –||align=left|{{increase}}  0||–  ||align=left|{{decrease}} 0
|}

== Notable players ==
{{See also|List of India international footballers}}
{{quote box |width=250px |bgcolor=#c6dbf7 |align=left |quote="So you are Gostha Pal! The man they call ''Great Wall of China''! Indeed you are Great Wall of China!" |source=— Nobel Laurate [[Rabindranath Tagore]] remarked on seeing Pal when he visited [[Shantiniketan]]<ref name="thehardtackle.com"/> }}
<!--Originally in bengali, like "Accha tumie shei Gostha Pal jake loke chiner prachir bole chene! sottie tumi chiner prachir!"-->
In the early 20th century when the Indian football was taking shape, India produced one of the best footballers from Asia at that time, [[Gostha Pal]], who started playing professional football at the age of 16 in 1911 and was the first captain of Indian team. He was a skilled, tactful and composed defender of his time and considered as the best defender India had ever produced. He was 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 Government of India introduced postal stamp to honour the legend.<ref name="pedia.desibantu.com"/><ref name="kolkatafootball.com"/><ref name="thehardtackle.com"/>

In the later 1930s, India came out to be one of the strongest attacking teams from Asia, evidenced during their winter tour of Australia in 1938, where the attacking Indian side including ''Lumsden'', ''Noor Mohammed'', ''Rahim'', ''K.Prosad'', ''A Nandi'' under the leadership of ''K.Bhattacharya'' stormed the New South Wales coast with a total of 58 goals in 17 matches, which includes five international friendlies against [[Australia men's national soccer team|Australia]], where ''Lumsden'' scored three hat-tricks, one being against the Australian side, thus scoring the ''first international hat-trick for India''.<ref name="aus tour 1938"/><ref name="1938 aus tour result"/>

[[Talimeren Ao]], the first captain of Indian team in independent India was the pioneer of Indian football. His skills in football was glorified as his name which means "a lot of glory"<ref name="T.Ao scroll.com"/> and his legacy is one of the reason for North-east India to be one of the power house of Indian football. At a very young age, dribbling improvised balls made out of rags, cane-strips or pomelos as a real football was hard to come by, gradually improved his skills as defensive midfielder which was frustrating for opponent team strikers. He was asked to join the national colour and was unanimously given the responsibility of leading the team at [[Football at the 1948 Summer Olympics|1948 Olympics]], India's first major tournament since independence<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/20180823005519/http://www.kolkatafootball.com/kolkatafootball_indian_legend_footballers_profile.html#tao |archive-date=23 August 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 |date=February 2015 |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 at 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 |date=27 January 2018 |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> [[Sarangapani Raman]] scored the only goal for India at 1948 games which was India's first goal at Olympics.<ref name="the hindu archive 1948 olympics"/> Government of India introduced postal stamp to honour the legend in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stamp Catalogue |url=http://postagestamps.gov.in/Stampofyear.aspx?uid=2018 |website=postagestamps.gov.in |publisher=India Post |access-date=22 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126092605/http://postagestamps.gov.in/Stampofyear.aspx?uid=2018 |archive-date=26 November 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{quote box |width=270px |bgcolor=#c6dbf7 |align=right|quote="He was a great defender, with one of the best tackles in business. His man-marking was perfect and it was a tough task for any striker to go past him."

"Manna da never retaliated and remained a perfect gentleman. He was never booked during his very long career!" |source=—former Indian captains [[S. S. Narayan]] & [[Samar Banerjee]] remarked on Manna's flawless career.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sailen Manna: He Played The Game With A Difference |url=http://www.sankalpindia.net/sailen-manna-he-played-game-difference |website=sankalpindia.net |publisher=Sankalpindia |access-date=6 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126005553/http://www.sankalpindia.net/sailen-manna-he-played-game-difference |archive-date=26 November 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> }}
Walking on Ao's foot steps, it was [[Sailen Manna]] who came out as one of the best defender for the team, and was given the team's captaincy in 1951 at [[Football at the 1951 Asian Games|Asian Games]] and led the team to win gold medal, thus started the Indian golden period in football. He later led the team to three [[Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament]] from 1952 to 1954<ref name="India at 1951 AG">{{cite web |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.com |publisher=Sportskeeda |access-date=6 November 2018 |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><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 |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> and also captained at the [[Football at the 1952 Summer Olympics|1952 Olympics]] and [[Football at the 1954 Asian Games|1954 Asian Games]].<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=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> 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 |website=sportstarlive.com |publisher=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> awarded [[Padma Shri]] by Government of India 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"/>

In the 1950s and 60s, excellent strikers like [[Sheoo Mewalal]], [[Neville D'Souza]], [[Chuni Goswami]], [[Inder Singh (footballer)|Inder Singh]] and [[Tulsidas Balaram]] played for the national team. Mewalal was known for his fitness and bicycle kicks, who played as striker in 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 became highest goal scorer with four goals to help India to win gold.<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 |date=27 December 2012 |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 became the ''first Indian to score a hat-trick since independence'' when he scored it against [[Myanmar national football team|Burma]] at the [[1952 Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament]]<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> where as D'Souza is the ''first Asian player to score a hat-trick in an 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 men's national soccer team|Australia]] at [[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=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> and also was the joint-highest-goal-scorer in that edition of the Games which helped India to reach the semi-final, the best ever India's performance at the Olympics.<ref>{{cite web |title=Olympics 1956 Statistics |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/melbourne1956/statistics/index.html |website=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> 
{{quote box |width=250px |bgcolor=#c6dbf7 |align=left |quote="So I see Chuni again. You seem to have become a permanent feature of the final" |source=— Then [[President of India|POI]] [[Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan|S.Radhakrishnan]] remarked on seeing Chuni again in a final match.<ref name="Chuni goswami interview"/> }}
Chuni Goswami is multi-sports athlete who played both football and cricket. His balance, dribbling skills, ball control and passing made him a complete striker.<ref>{{cite news |title=When Chuni Goswami demolished the mighty West Indies |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/when-chuni-goswami-demolished-the-mighty-west-indies/articleshow/62503718.cms |newspaper=The Times of India |date=15 January 2018 |publisher=TOI |access-date=22 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115075919/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/when-chuni-goswami-demolished-the-mighty-west-indies/articleshow/62503718.cms |archive-date=15 January 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> He represented the country at [[Football at the 1958 Asian Games|1958 Asian Games]] and captained at [[Football at the 1962 Asian Games|1962 Asian Games]] to win gold, [[Football at the 1960 Summer Olympics|1960 Olympics]] and also captained at the [[1964 AFC Asian Cup|1964 Asian Cup]] where they mined silver.<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 one of greatest players in Indian football history and was bestowed with [[Padma Shri]] by 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/20180823005519/http://www.kolkatafootball.com/kolkatafootball_indian_legend_footballers_profile.html#chuni |archive-date=23 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Pradip Kumar Banerjee|P.K.Banerjee]], a refined winger who represented the Indian team at [[Association football at the 1956 Summer Olympics|1956 Olympics]] and later captained [[Football at the 1960 Summer Olympics|1960 Olympics]], was named as the "''Indian Player of the 20th Century'' "<ref name="pk banerjee and peter thangaraj IFFHS players of century"/> by [[International Federation of Football History & Statistics|IFFHS]] along with [[Peter Thangaraj]] as the "''Indian Keeper 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=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/iffhs-country-complete.html |website=[[RSSSF]] |access-date=12 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626201343/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/iffhs-country-complete.html |archive-date=26 June 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> who also represented the Indian team in the same edition of Olympics. Banerjee along with Thangaraj also represented India at the [[Football at the 1958 Asian Games|1958]], [[Football at the 1962 Asian Games|1962]] and [[Football at the 1966 Asian Games|1966 Asian games]] and at the 1962 edition they won the gold where in the final he scored one of the two winning goals. P.K.Banerjee was honoured with "''World Fair Play Award''" by [[International Fair Play Committee|CIPF]] in the year 1989,<ref>{{cite web |title=World Fair Play Award Winners |url=http://www.fairplayinternational.org/award-winners-search |website=fairplayinternational.org |publisher=CIFP |access-date=12 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116090426/http://www.fairplayinternational.org/award-winners-search |archive-date=16 November 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Padma Shri]] by Government of India in 1990 and in 2004 [[FIFA]] bestowed Banerjee 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 |website=[[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>

Since 1970s to 2000 Indian team failed to grow at the same pace as in the 1950s and 1960s. But players like [[Syed Nayeemuddin]] had a few stints like winning bronze at [[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> He went on to coach the national team several times between 1986 and 2006.<ref>{{cite web |title=Syed Nayeemuddin Legend of Indian football |url=http://www.thehardtackle.com/2013/legends-of-indian-football-sayeed-nayeemuddin/ |website=thehardtackle.com |date=25 July 2013 |publisher=The Hard Tackle |access-date=22 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206024524/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2013/legends-of-indian-football-sayeed-nayeemuddin/ |archive-date=6 December 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the 1990s, the best player to emerge was [[I. M. Vijayan]], who was known for his quick movements and skills. He played a long career with 66 international matches for India where he scored 29 goals and captained the India side at several occasions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Invalappil Mani Vijayan - Goals in International Matches |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/imvijayan-intlg.html |website=[[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>

In the mid-1990s, [[Baichung Bhutia]] debuted, who played for the team during a period when its FIFA ranking dipped from 100 during his debut to 160 when he retired.<ref name="fifa ranking graph">{{cite web |title=FIFA Ranking:India ranking graph |url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/associations/association=IND/men/index.html |website=fifa.com |publisher=FIFA |access-date=25 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124224721/https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/associations/association=ind/men/index.html |archive-date=24 November 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> But he successfully led the team to qualify to [[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=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 during its low point and under his captaincy, India won the [[SAFF Championship]] three times, two [[Nehru Cup]] in year 2007 and 2009 and the [[AFC Challenge Cup]] in 2008.<ref>{{cite news |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 |newspaper=The Hindu |date=24 August 2011 |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 news |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 |newspaper=The Hindu |date=24 August 2011 |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 |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 as one of the greatest footballers of India he is 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"/>

The most famous footballer of the present era is [[Sunil Chettri]], ''Captain Fantastic'' as his followers call him. He is the only footballer in India's history who played 100 international matches for India and is the all-time highest goal-scorer of India. He has 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 years. His goal-scoring ability and skills make him the only India striker to score three hat-tricks for India. He also became the second highest goal scorer among active players in international competitions surpassing [[Lionel Messi]] in 2019 and was second to [[Cristiano Ronaldo]].

===List===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Gostha Paul|Gostha Pal]]
* [[R. Lumsden (footballer)|R. Lumsden]]
* Noor Mohammed
* K Prosad
* A Nandi
* [[Mohammed Salim (footballer)|Mohammed Salim]]
* [[Talimeran Ao]]
* [[Sarangapani Raman]]
* [[Sheoo Mewalal]]
* [[Sailen Manna]]
* [[Neville D'Souza]]
* [[Tulsidas Balaram]]
* [[Pradip Kumar Banerjee|P.K. Banerjee]]
* [[VP Sathyan]] 
* [[Chuni Goswami]]
* [[Jarnail Singh (footballer)|Jarnail Singh]]
* [[Yousuf Khan (footballer)|Yousuf Khan]]
* [[Peter Thangaraj]]
* [[Inder Singh (footballer)|Inder Singh]]
* [[Syed Nayeemuddin]]
* [[Magan Singh Rajvi]]
* [[Gurdev Singh Gill (footballer)|Gurdev Singh Gill]]
* [[Prasun Banerjee]]
* [[Mohammed Habib (footballer)|Mohammed Habib]]
* [[Shabbir Ali]]
* [[Brahmanand Sankhwalkar]]
* [[I.M. Vijayan]]
* [[Baichung Bhutia]]
* [[Bruno Coutinho (footballer, born 1969)|Bruno Coutinho]]
* [[Sunil Chhetri]]
* [[Steven Dias]]
* [[Clifford Miranda]]
* [[Gouramangi Singh]]
* [[Syed Rahim Nabi]]
* [[Subrata Pal]]
* [[Jeje Lalpekhlua]]
{{div col end}}

== See also ==
* [[India at the FIFA World Cup qualification]]
* [[India national football team at the Olympics]]
* [[India at the AFC Asian Cup]]
* [[History of Indian football]]
* [[Football in India]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{India national football team}}

[[Category:India national football team]]
[[Category:History of football in India|National]]
[[Category:History of association football by national team|India]]