The Indian men’s and women’s football teams have a mountain to climb if they want to participate in the upcoming Asian competitions, which will be held in Japan from September 19 to October 4 next year.
The Sportministerie released strict criteria on Wednesday to determine which quotas will be sent in team sports by the country for the Asiad.
Part 4.1.III states in the document that a team must be arranged in the top eight in Asia or should be completed in the last eight of the AFC Asian Cup. None of the teams, men or women, has that.
The men’s team was eliminated in the group stage in the last edition of the Asian Cup, in Qatar in 2024, and is ranked 24th in Asia (134th in the world). In the meantime, the ladies team is in 12th place in Asia and was forced to withdraw from the Asian Cup 2022 due to an outbreak of COVID-19.
Not the first time
This is not the first time that such a provision has suppressed the hope of India. In the last edition of the Asian Games, it was also discretion of the central government that the parties were allowed to travel to Hangzhou.
The men’s side was then eliminated in the round of 16 by Saudi Arabia, while the women’s team made an exit of a group phase.
India’s Narender Ghlot (C) fights for the ball with Marran Mohammed Khalil (L) of Saudi -Arabia in the men’s round of 16 football match during the Asian matches of 2022. | Photocredit: AFP
India’s Narender Ghlot (C) fights for the ball with Marran Mohammed Khalil (L) of Saudi -Arabia in the men’s round of 16 football match during the Asian matches of 2022. | Photocredit: AFP
The men’s team of India won two gold medals at the Asian Games, in 1951 and 1962, followed by a bronze in 1970. However, it did not succeed in retaining the consistency, with its best show since a quarterfinals in 1982.
«When it comes to notification from the Ministry and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) that the goal is only for participation and not aimed at excellence (Medal extraction), names of such athletes and teams will not be approved after giving good justification,» said the document of the Sportministerie.
Silver lining for blue tigers
Although the opportunities that the men’s team is playing in the Asian Games look gloomy, there is a spark of hope for the ladies team, with the next edition of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup that is planned in Australia next year between 1 and 21 March.
The ladies team has qualified for the first time for the new format of the Asian Cup and has risen seven places to 63rd in the FIFA ranking, highest in two years.
The Indian women’s team celebrated after the qualification for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, which will be played in Australia next year. | Photocredit: Aiff Media
The Indian women’s team celebrated after the qualification for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, which will be played in Australia next year. | Photocredit: Aiff Media
If it can end in the last eight, according to the criteria, it will secure an approval from the Ministry for the Asiad in Japan six months after the Asian Cup.
For the men’s team, however, a place in the next Asian Cup still has to be confirmed, and by March-the’s closing date for ranking and performance, it is unlikely that a large rise in the rankings could happen, with India playing a lower ranked teams in the Asian Cup qualifications.
In such a case, a route through the relaxation clause, such as the previous edition, can be the only way to Japan.
Published on September 24, 2025
