The truth is that FIFA is desperate to get India to play in the World Cup, has been for a while as we are literally the largest sports market with just a single sport dominating, the last fairly unexplored major market in sport.
They gave us the FIFA U17 World Cup on which I worked for that reason. The women's U 17 as well, they also wanted to give us the U20 tournament if our team continued to do improve, but the AIFF had imploded by then.
FIFA, like every world sporting body other than the ICC, wants to bring our huge audiences to their sport. It is our collective sports administration incompetence coupled with a clunky structure of sports being in the state list instead of the central list that is shooting us in the foot.
And why most major Indian sporting achievements have been individual, despite the system instead of thanks to the system.
Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Xabi Alonso as Manager of the Menโs Team.
The Spaniard will begin his role on July 1, 2026, having agreed a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge.
Welcome to Chelsea, Xabi!
Sunil Narine first played the IPL in 2012. Countless mystery spinners have become history while he continues to create history. Plenty of remodelling of the action, reinvention as an opener - Heโs had his battles - Heโs fought them all and is still winning it for KKR in 2026.. What a legend #KKR
After East Bengal, Now Mohun Bagan joins the Protests against Atrocities on Bengalis!
Mohun Bagan Ultras displays Tifo during the #DurandCup Match saying -
"This land belongs to no oneโs father, Nor is it a game of caste,
It was the Bengalis who ended the agony of oppression."