India has always been known for its prowess in cricket, but football is a game that has slowly been gaining traction in the country. The Indian football team has seen a steady rise in its FIFA rankings over the past few years, and the country is now firmly established as a strong contender in the international football arena.
The Indian football team was invited to participate in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championships in 2021, along with other West Asian countries such as Lebanon and Kuwait. This was done to ensure strong competition in the tournament and to give India a chance to prove its mettle against some of the best teams in the region.
India has seen a steady rise in its FIFA rankings over the past few years, and the country is now firmly established as a strong contender in the international football arena. The team currently stands at 1208.69 points, and its best FIFA ranking was 94th, attained in 1996. The country had also reached 99th spot in 1993 and 96th in 2017 and 2018.
The Indian football team has been able to achieve these impressive rankings thanks to the hard work and dedication of its players and coaches. The team has also been bolstered by the presence of some of the best players in the world, such as Sunil Chhetri, Sandesh Jhingan, and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. These players have helped the team to reach new heights and have been instrumental in its success.
The Indian football team has also been able to benefit from the presence of some of the best coaches in the world. The team has been coached by the likes of Stephen Constantine, Stephen Coppell, and Igor Stimac, all of whom have helped the team to reach its current level of success.
The Indian football team has also been able to benefit from the presence of some of the best facilities in the world. The team has access to some of the best stadiums in the world, such as the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, and the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai. These stadiums have helped the team to play in front of large crowds and have helped to create a passionate atmosphere for the team.
The Indian football team has also been able to benefit from the presence of some of the best leagues in the world. The Indian Super League (ISL) has been instrumental in helping the team to gain exposure and to attract some of the best players in the world. The ISL has also helped to create a platform for the team to showcase its talent and to gain recognition from the international football community.
The Indian football team has also been able to benefit from the presence of some of the best youth academies in the world. These academies have helped to nurture and develop some of the best young players in the country, such as Anirudh Thapa, Jerry Lalrinzuala, and Komal Thatal. These players have been instrumental in helping the team to reach its current level of success.
Overall, it is clear that India is a strong contender in the international football arena. The team has been able to benefit from the presence of some of the best players, coaches, facilities, and leagues in the world. The team has also been able to benefit from the presence of some of the best youth academies in the country. With all of these factors in place, it is safe to say that India is a strong contender in the international football arena and will continue to be so in the future.