Have you think why football is not popular in india? Football has become the most popular sport in the world. In Europe, Africa, South America, Asia and everywhere else you look, there are billions of people watching and playing football every day. But when it comes to India, well things are different. While there is no doubt that India has over one billion people, Football is not number one. Cricket which has become almost every sports conversation in the country.
But that isn’t to suggest football does not exist in India. It does. And there are great fans of football and the Indian Super League (ISL) has gotten going slowly, but on a national level, football hardly gets the same love and attention as cricket.
5 Reasons Why Football Is Not Popular in India
1. Cricket Dominates Everything
This is the biggest reason. Cricket is no ordinary sport in India, it ’s a religion and since India won the 1983 Cricket World Cup it ’s become an integral part of the country’s culture.
Since cricket gets more media coverage, gets bigger sponsorships and more government support, football naturally gets less attention. Most Indian kids would grow up playing cricket and watching cricket and growing up to become cricketers.
2. Lack of Proper Infrastructure
In many parts of India it’s not easy to find a proper football field. Most schools / colleges have cricket grounds, but very few have football pitches (with shady grass ) or basic facilities Kids don’t get the right place to train, and clubs don’t get the platform to grow.
Even the few football stadiums in India are not always well-maintained. This makes it hard to organize big tournaments or attract fans to come and watch matches.
3. Poor Performance of the National Team
Let’s be honest , the Indian football team hasn’t done much on the international stage. India is not seen in World Cup qualifiers, and their FIFA ranking has mostly stayed in the lower half of the table.
One big reason for football not being as massive in India is because the national team has never qualified for FIFA World Cup. Not once. No. In more than 90 years of the tournament’s existence, India has never qualified for the World Cup.
The lack of connection with the team means a lot of fans do not feel they have a stake in the team. As for Japan and South Korea, which have become regulars at the World Cup (Japan, South Korea, Iran and even Saudi Arabia) India is still losing its fight to get out of the Asian qualifiers.
Because the team isn’t winning or advancing to major events. People are more likely to get excited when a team is doing well and making people proud. If no one is giving good performances football doesn’t get the attention it deserves.
In the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, India was placed in a group with Qatar, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. While fans hoped for a miracle, the team has found it tough to get results.
4. Low Media Coverage and Promotion
Open any Indian sports channel or news website, 90% of everything you see is cricket and football (even if it is the English Premier League or UEFA Champions League) is just ignored (until something big happens).
The promotion for both Indian Super League (ISL) is not good enough. Matches don’t run in prime time slots and there is not much marketing done on the teams or players. So if nobody knows it is happening then how can they watch it?
5. Lack of Youth Development and Grassroots Programs
India has an unfavorable football system for kids. In Germany, Spain or even Japan, your kids are provided full instruction from 6 – 7 years old. India has relatively few football academies that are run properly and care much for the long term development.
Most of the talented players lack proper coaching / conditioning training or support. By the time they’re old enough to go pro, they’re already far behind players in other countries.
What Could Change the Popularity of Football in India?
Even though football is not as big as cricket right now in India, that doesn’t mean it will stay that way forever. Things can change, and here are some ways football could become more popular in the country.
1. India Qualifying for the World Cup
This would be a major factor. If the Indian national team qualifies for a FIFA World Cup – even for once – the whole country would have a huge interest. Like cricket did after the 1983 World Cup victory, football might also benefit from a big moment like this.
2. Better Youth and School Programs
If more schools and local clubs invest in football training, kids will start playing from a young age. The earlier kids start, the better they get. Over time, this will build a strong football culture and give rise to more professional players.
3. Stronger Leagues and Star Players
The Indian Super League (ISL) is growing, but it still needs more excitement. If bigger international stars come to play, or Indian players become famous abroad, more fans will start watching. The league should also improve match quality and bring more teams from football-loving regions.
4. Government and Corporate Support
The government and private companies need to invest more in football. Whether it’s building stadiums, supporting young talent, or broadcasting games in prime time, all of this helps bring more attention to the sport. Football can grow if it gets the same love cricket has been getting.
5. More Media Coverage and Storytelling
Basically people love stories, stories about underdogs, hard work and big dreams. If Indian football players and teams are treated well in media, in TV, in social media and in newspaper, people will be more familiar with the game. Documentaries, interviews, cool football content can help make fans closer to the sport.
All Information takes from authentic Source. Football may not be India’s top sport now, but the future can be different with the right steps.
Do you think football can rise in India like cricket did? Share your thoughts in the comments! Let’s talk, what’s your take on the future of Indian football?
