India has never participated in the FIFA World Cup, although they did qualify by default for the 1950 World Cup after all other nations in their qualification group withdrew. However, India withdrew prior to the beginning of the tournament. This has been a source of great disappointment for many Indian football fans, as the country has a long and proud history of football.

Despite India’s absence from the FIFA World Cup, there have been a few Indian players who have played in the tournament. The most notable of these is Baichung Bhutia, who represented India in the 1998 World Cup. Bhutia, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest Indian footballers of all time, was the first Indian to play in the World Cup. He played in all three of India’s matches, scoring a goal against South Africa in the group stage.

Another Indian player who has featured in the World Cup is Sunil Chhetri. Chhetri, who is the current captain of the Indian national team, played in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He played in all three of India’s matches, and was the first Indian player to score a goal in the tournament.

There have also been a few Indian players who have played in the FIFA Club World Cup. The most notable of these is Subrata Pal, who represented East Bengal in the 2005 Club World Cup. Pal played in all three of East Bengal’s matches, and was the first Indian player to play in the tournament.

In addition to these players, there have been a few Indian players who have played in the FIFA U-17 World Cup. The most notable of these is Jeakson Singh, who represented India in the 2017 U-17 World Cup. Singh was the first Indian player to score a goal in the tournament, and he was also the first Indian player to captain a team in the tournament.

Overall, while India has never participated in the FIFA World Cup, there have been a few Indian players who have featured in the tournament. These players have been a source of great pride for Indian football fans, and have helped to raise the profile of the sport in the country. While India may never qualify for the World Cup, these players have shown that Indian footballers can compete at the highest level.

India’s footballing landscape has changed significantly since the 1950s, and the country now has a professional league and a thriving youth football system. This has helped to develop the next generation of Indian footballers, and it is hoped that one day an Indian team will qualify for the World Cup. Until then, Indian football fans can take pride in the achievements of the players who have represented the country in the tournament.