Indian Football: Rising Above the Storm!

Kolkata, August 31: Despite the storm of challenges off the pitch, from uncertainty over whether the Indian Super League (ISL), the nation’s top-flight competition, will even take place this season as FSDL’s contract nears its December 2025 expiry, the stats of the tournaments, seasons schedule, the battle between AIFF and all the clubs, to court hearings dragging on with adjournments and delays, internal club disputes, and the FIFA warning of suspension if the constitution is not ratified by October 30, Indian football has found some much-needed relief and inspiration on the field.

When the clouds seemed darkest, the players have delivered moments of light and pride. Amidst all this turbulence, Indian Football’s men’s and women’s teams have stepped up with performances that remind fans of the sport’s potential and resilience.

Senior Men’s Team:

The Blue Tigers recorded their first-ever victory on Tajik soil, defeating Tajikistan 2-1 in their CAFA Nations Cup 2025 debut on Friday, August 28, at the Hisor Central Stadium. This was India’s first competitive win since November 2023 and also marked a victorious start under newly-appointed head coach Khalid Jamil. It was the first time in a decade that an Indian coach won his first match in charge of the national team, the last being Stephen Constantine in 2015.

U17 Women’s Team:

The Young Tigresses have been sensational in the SAFF U17 Championship. With five wins, five clean sheets, and 27 goals scored, they have already set a record for the most goals scored by India in a single SAFF age-group women’s tournament. Another clean sheet in the final against Bangladesh would make history as the first-ever Indian team to finish a SAFF age-group women’s competition without conceding a single goal.

Senior Women’s Team:

For the first time ever, India’s senior women qualified for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 on merit. Their past appearances came as an invitational team in 2003 and as hosts in 2022 making this qualification a landmark achievement.

U20 Women’s Team:

The U20 women also scripted history by securing qualification for the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup after a long gap of 20 years, a clear signal of progress at the grassroots and developmental levels.

While administrative battles and uncertainties continue to cloud the game’s structure in India, the players have shown that the soul of Indian football remains strong. From the Blue Tigers breakthrough in Central Asia to the Young Tigresses dominance in South Asia, and the Blue Tigresses historic qualifications at multiple levels , these achievements offer hope, pride, and a glimpse of a brighter footballing future for India.