A new directive from the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports concerning the selection criteria for the 2026 Asian Games has cast a shadow over the Indian football team's potential participation. The stringent criteria, announced recently, require teams to have achieved a top 8 finish in the last Senior Asian Championships held within 12 months, or be ranked within the top 8 among Asian countries in international rankings to be considered for the Asian Games.
The current FIFA rankings place the Indian football team at 24th in Asia, making their participation in the Asian Games uncertain under these guidelines. According to the ministry, if an Asian Championship features less than six teams, India must be in the top two to qualify. For continental competitions featuring between six and twelve teams, a top-four finish is essential.
These tough benchmarks could prevent the Indian football team from participating in the upcoming Asian Games. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is yet to release an official statement addressing the situation.
Historically, football has been a part of the Asian Games since its inception in 1951. India hosted the first edition and won the gold medal. They also won gold in 1962 and a bronze medal in 1970. The rules changed in 2002, and only under-23 national teams were allowed to compete. India's U-23 team has yet to win a medal at the Asian Games.
In the 2022 Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China, India U-23 were placed in Group A along with China, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. China defeated India 5-1, India won against Bangladesh 1-0, and drew with Myanmar 1-1. They lost to Saudi Arabia 2-0 in the round of 16.
The selection criteria released by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports also states that for measurable individual sports and events, an athlete will be able to find his/her place in the Indian contingent if the athlete has matched or bettered the 6th-place performance from the last Asian Games at a competition recognized by the international sports federation for that sport, held within the 12 months preceding the upcoming Asian Games.
