'For India To Become...': Bhaichung Bhutia Opens Up On India's Football Aspirations

Last Updated:June 17, 2026, 17:18 IST

Bhaichung Bhutia requests stronger grassroots football, says that Indian Super League raised standards but India needs long term planning to reach the FIFA World Cup.

Former Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia has said that although the advent of the Indian Super League has elevated the standard of Indian football, a lot of development needs to be carried out at the grassroots level to ensure that India finds a team at the FIFA World Cup.

India have never played in the finals of the FIFA World Cup, although the country did qualify for the 1950 edition in Brazil before withdrawing ahead of the tournament. Today, the India national football team competes in the Asian qualifying campaign, but isn’t among the 48 teams taking part in the current FIFA World Cup.

It isn’t only India that is absent from the FIFA World Cup. Neighbouring China, the world’s second-most populous country, also couldn’t qualify for the tournament.

“It will take time. Working hard is very important. We need to get our structure and system right in terms of football. The advent of the Indian Super League has bettered the standard of Indian football," Bhutia said while speaking at the News18 India Amrit Ratna Samman 2026.

“Grassroot development and long-term planning are important. FIFA has provided eight Asian teams the chance to compete at the World Cup this year and that makes things a bit easier in terms of playing on the biggest stage," Bhutia said.

The former Indian footballer added that the country needs to evolve into a sporting nation, noting that the government had shown strong support for that vision by bagging the hosting rights for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and pursuing a future Olympic bid.

“Sports is a state subject and we will have to make it successful on the grassroots level first. If India has to become a sporting nation and win medals at the Olympics, an hour of playing sport after school won’t be enough," Bhutia said.

“Quite some time needs to be dedicated to it. If the education system can dedicate more time to sports, changes will definitely be seen," Bhutia added.

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