Football: Why is India struggling to play the world’s most popular sport?

CitrixNews Staff

· June 13, 2026 at 11:30 AM

play video

Video Duration 25 minutes 00 seconds play-arrow25:00

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off, 101 East explores why India struggles to compete in the world's most popular sport.

The world’s most populous country is hopeless at the world’s most popular game.

As football fanatics gather for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in India, the sport has sunk to new lows.

The national team is ranked outside the top 100 footballing nations.

Meanwhile, the country’s top league is in shambles after being left without a sponsor and forced to sell its media rights for a pittance.

101 East explores why football in India is struggling to succeed.

Originally reported by Al Jazeera. Read the full story at the original source.

xwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogleAdd Al Jazeera on GoogleinfoAn Iranian woman walks past a mural on a street in Tehran, Ira...

xwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogleAdd Al Jazeera on GoogleinfoA demonstration against racism and calls for calm following ra...

Former congresswoman nevertheless said she hoped the fighting event would be ‘great’ and wished president wellMarjorie T...

Kidnapped Nigerian retired general dies in captivity8 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleAbayomi AdisaWest Af...

Related Articles