Why might Indian Football team not participate in Asian Games 2026?

Overview

• The Indian Football Team is unlikely to take part in the Asian Games 2026, as per a statement from India's Sports Ministry
• The Sports Ministry does not deem the Indian Football team capable of winning a medal in the event 
• The Blue Tigers are ranked 24th in Asia and 134th in the world, as per the FIFA rankings

The Indian Football Team is unlikely to take part in the Asian Games 2026, as per a statement from India's Sports Ministry. The Sports Ministry does not deem the Indian Football team capable of winning a medal in the event. The Blue Tigers are ranked 24th in Asia and 134th in the world, as per the FIFA rankings.

In a recent statement, the Indian Sports Ministry claimed that the focus is purely on the athletes and teams that are capable of winning a medal. Hence, the teams that are ranked in the top 6 at the Asian Level are allowed and funded to practice and take part in the tournament, unless the ministry or SAI notices special talents.

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"The aim is to ensure that the athletes who have a real chance of winning medals are only considered for participation in multidisciplinary sports events. If it comes to the notice of the Ministry and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) that the aim is just for participation and not aiming for excellence (medal winning), names of such sportspersons and teams will not be approved after giving proper justification," the Indian Sports Ministry's statement claimed.

The Indian Sports Ministry confirms no extra person will feature in Asian Games 2026 contingent

The statement confirmed that regardless of whether or not a coach or a support staff costs the government with their presence in the contingent or not, no additional person will feature in the tournament.

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"Only those sportspersons, coaches and support staff will be part of the contingent, whose names have been cleared at cost to the government, and no additional sportspersons, coaches and support staff will be included even at no cost to the government," the Indian Sports Ministry's statement added.