List of India National Football Team
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Hrithik Tiwari, Albino Gomes |
| Defenders | Rahul Bheke, Nikhil Poojary, Roshan Singh Naorem, Sandesh Jhingan, Akash Mishra, Bijoy Varghese, Pramveer, Nikhil Barla |
| Midfielders | Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Noufal PN, Ricky Shabong, Macarton Nickson |
| Forwards | Parthib Gogoi, Edmund Lalrindika, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Mohammed Sanan, Rahim Ali, Farukh Choudhary, Vikram Partap Singh |
Why is India Not in the 2026 World Cup?
India’s 2026 campaign ended in the AFC second round, finishing third in its group and missing the top-two cut needed to reach the stage where World Cup places are decided.
We have already covered exactly how that played out — the group, the results, and how Asian qualifying works — in a separate breakdown.
While India sit out 2026, four players of Indian origin are still at the World Cup — here is who they are and where to watch them.
4 Indian-Origin Players at the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Where to Watch Them
Where India Stands in 2026
India enters the new cycle at one of its lowest competitive points in years. The team missed out on both the 2026 World Cup and the 2027 Asian Cup within the same 12-month stretch.
The current FIFA ranking of around 133rd is a long way from India’s all-time high of 94th, reached back in 1996.
The headline facts heading into the rebuild:
- World Cup 2026: Eliminated in the Asian second round — full breakdown here.
- Asian Cup 2027: Knocked out in qualifying after a defeat to Singapore.
- Head coach: Khalid Jamil, who took over in 2025 following Manolo Márquez’s departure.
A Hard Year Off the Pitch Too
The on-field results were only part of a turbulent stretch for Indian football. A second blow landed in October 2025 with the Asian Cup exit.
India were knocked out of 2027 Asian Cup qualifying after losing to Singapore, finishing the group with one win, two draws and three losses. It was the first time since 2015 that no South Asian nation reached the Asian Cup.
There was a rare bright note to close the campaign. India signed off with a first-ever home win in Kochi.
The domestic game was disrupted too. The 2025-26 Indian Super League was put on hold over a contract dispute between the federation and the league operator.
The season only began after the Supreme Court intervened, eventually running from February to May 2026. A compressed top-flight season is far from ideal preparation for a national team trying to rebuild.
The Road to 2030
India’s realistic next target is the 2030 World Cup, with the qualifying path expected to mirror the 2026 structure.
That means another long Asian campaign through multiple rounds, with India again likely entering at the second-round group stage.
To go further than 2026, India simply needs to finish in the top two of its second-round group, the hurdle it fell at last time.
A higher seeding from improved results would also mean a kinder draw.
For coach Khalid Jamil, the rebuild is about points on the board to climb the ranking before the next draw.
A future AFC Asian Cup is the other medium-term goal: Saudi Arabia hosts the 2027 edition that India has just missed, and the AFC has paused bidding for the following tournament — provisionally the 2031 edition — while it aligns the schedule with FIFA’s calendar.
How Fans Can Follow the Journey
India’s home qualifiers and friendlies are the easiest way to watch the rebuild in person.
The national team rotates fixtures around a handful of football-strong cities.
Recent and regular India home venues include:
- Kolkata: Salt Lake Stadium, one of the country’s biggest football grounds.
- Kochi: A passionate football base in Kerala.
- Guwahati and Bhubaneswar: Frequent eastern-India hosts.
- Bengaluru: Home to one of the strongest club fanbases.
Away days are an option too, with regular regional opponents in Doha, Kuwait City and Singapore. You can check schedules and any disruptions through the Wego flight tracker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is India in the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
No. India was eliminated in the AFC second round of qualifying and did not reach the stage that decides World Cup places.
When is India’s next chance to qualify for a World Cup?
The next opportunity is the qualifying cycle for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. It is expected to follow the same multi-round Asian format used for 2026.
Did India qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup?
No. India were knocked out in qualifying after a defeat to Singapore in October 2025. It was the first time since 2015 that no South Asian team reached the tournament.
Who is India’s current head coach?
Khalid Jamil leads the national team after taking over in 2025. He replaced Manolo Márquez following the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
What is India’s FIFA ranking?
India sits around 133rd in the ranking released on 11 June 2026 — its lowest in nine years. The team’s all-time high was 94th, achieved in 1996.
Sources
- FIFA — India Men’s World Ranking
- DD News — India men’s team slips to 133, lowest in nine years
- Olympics.com — India’s 2026 campaign ends after 2-1 loss to Qatar
- All India Football Federation — India knocked out of 2027 Asian Cup qualification
- All India Football Federation — India end Asian Cup qualifiers with first win in Kochi
- All India Football Federation — Khalid Jamil’s India squad
- Onmanorama — India’s squad for the Tajikistan friendlies
- AFC — Saudi Arabia confirmed as hosts of the AFC Asian Cup 2027
- ESPN — Indian Super League 2025-26 put on hold
- ESPN — Why the ISL stalled and how it resumed
- Olympics.com — India football ranking history and coaching changes
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