Indian football has long struggled to find top-quality players, especially strikers. Even today, the national team depends on 40-year-old Sunil Chhetri, who recently returned from retirement for a friendly match against the Maldives. With India’s FIFA ranking at 126, improving the squad is crucial. One potential solution is allowing Indian-origin players settled abroad to play for the national team. However, current rules make this impossible. Why is this the case? Let’s break it down.
AIFF’s New Initiative to Bring Overseas Talent
Recently, All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Choubey stated that the organization is working on policies to allow Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) to represent the country. He acknowledged that other nations have successfully integrated foreign-born players and believes this could be a turning point for Indian football. However, making this a reality requires overcoming legal and administrative roadblocks.
Footballers of Indian Origin: The Global Picture
Many Indian-origin footballers play in top European leagues but cannot represent India. A recent example is Hamza Choudhury, an England-born midfielder of Bangladeshi heritage, who chose to play for Bangladesh in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. He had previously played for England’s U-21 team but switched allegiance due to limited opportunities in the English squad. This is common in world football, where players represent ancestral nations if they don’t get a chance in their birth country.
Players like Jofra Archer (Barbados-born cricketer playing for England) and Michail Antonio (England-born footballer representing Jamaica) have successfully switched national teams. But for Indian-origin players, the situation is different due to India’s strict citizenship laws.
Why Can’t Indian-Origin Players Represent India?
The main obstacle is India’s citizenship law. Unlike many countries, India does not allow dual citizenship. This means any player of Indian origin who holds a foreign passport must give it up and acquire an Indian passport to play for the national team. This is a major deterrent because:
- Most players are born and trained in other countries with strong football cultures.
- Giving up a European passport affects their club football career, especially in nations with work permit restrictions.
- India’s FIFA ranking is low (126th), making it harder for Indian passport holders to get work permits in top European leagues.
FIFA Rules on Player Eligibility
FIFA mandates that players representing a national team must hold a valid passport of that country. According to FIFA regulations, a permanent international passport is the only document that proves nationality for football representation. Without an Indian passport, even the most talented Indian-origin players cannot play for India.
India’s FIFA Ranking: A Major Issue
A low FIFA ranking has financial and professional consequences. Footballers with an Indian passport struggle to secure contracts in top leagues because countries like the UK have work permit requirements tied to national team rankings. For example, Sunil Chhetri once had a contract with Queens Park Rangers but was denied a work visa due to India’s low FIFA ranking. This discourages players from switching passports to play for India.
Examples of Indian-Origin Footballers Who Could Have Played for India
Several Indian-origin players play in top leagues but are ineligible for India due to these rules:
- Yan Dhanda (England/India): Former Liverpool youth player, now playing in Scotland.
- Dilan Markanday (England/India): Played for Tottenham Hotspur’s academy, now with Blackburn Rovers.
- Sarpreet Singh (New Zealand/India): Played for Bayern Munich’s reserve team, represents New Zealand.
- Neil Taylor (Wales/India): Former Aston Villa player, represented Wales internationally.
If India allowed OCI or PIO (Persons of Indian Origin) players, these names could have boosted the national team’s performance.
AIFF’s Task Force for Change
Recognizing the need for change, AIFF has formed a task force to gather data on overseas Indian-origin footballers and explore solutions. Kalyan Choubey emphasized that a strong database of potential players is essential before making a final decision. However, even if AIFF changes its rules, government approval is necessary since it involves amending India’s citizenship policies.
Will the Indian Government Allow Dual Citizenship for Footballers?
For India to benefit from overseas talent, it must amend its citizenship laws or make an exception for sportspersons. However, previous governments have shown little interest in dual citizenship, citing security and legal concerns. If Indian football needs foreign-born players to improve, AIFF will have to lobby the government for a policy change.
The Road Ahead
Indian football is at a crossroads. To compete on the global stage, the team needs better players, and allowing overseas talent could be the game-changer AIFF hopes for. However, until citizenship laws change, Indian-origin footballers will continue playing for other countries. The question remains: Will India make the necessary changes, or will bureaucracy continue to hold Indian football back?
