Former All India Football Federation (AIFF) general secretary, Shaji Prabhakaran, emphasized the need for India to shift from periodic FIFA World Cup excitement to a continuous focus on football development. He highlighted that while football garners significant attention every four years during the World Cup, this enthusiasm fades once the tournament concludes. Prabhakaran stressed the importance of integrating football into daily life throughout the year to make it a core part of India’s cultural fabric.
During the World Cup, discussions about football dominate media platforms in India, with many questioning the country’s absence from the tournament. However, Prabhakaran noted a lack of similar interest when the Indian national team competes in crucial matches or faces challenges. He underscored the necessity for sustained support beyond the World Cup fervor to enhance Indian football’s growth and success.
Prabhakaran pointed out that success in football is not solely dependent on population size, citing examples of smaller nations like Cape Verde and Curaçao qualifying for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026. He emphasized the significance of strategic planning, governance, coaching, and development pathways in achieving football excellence. The former AIFF secretary urged India to focus on grassroots development, coaching structures, stable competitions, sports science, and transparent governance to elevate its football standards.
India’s objective should include consistent participation in major youth tournaments to strengthen its global football presence, according to Prabhakaran. He highlighted the importance of nurturing talent within the men’s and women’s Under-17 national teams to target future FIFA U-17 World Cups. Prabhakaran concluded by urging Indians to leverage the FIFA World Cup 2026 as a catalyst for fostering a robust football culture in the country, emphasizing the need for sustained efforts to propel Indian football to international prominence.
