An Indian football star has declared that the "Dream Of World Cup is Still Alive," while also cautioning that "Everything Cannot Be..." achieved without critical grassroots development. This statement comes amidst ongoing discussions about the future of Indian football and its potential to compete on a global stage.

The star, whose name was revealed to be Ashalata Devi, a veteran defender and captain, acknowledged the significant strides made by the national team in recent years, while candidly admitting that they are "not there yet" when measured against world-class standards. She emphasized the unwavering passion and dedication of the players, expressing hope that their hard work would translate into World Cup qualification.

India has never played in a FIFA World Cup to date. The nation's highest FIFA ranking was 94th, achieved in 1996. In 2018, they finished the year in 97th place, marking their best performance in the last decade. Currently, the Indian football team's FIFA ranking is 142.

Ashalata Devi highlighted the qualification of the Under-17, Under-19, and senior teams for their respective AFC Asian Championships, underscoring the importance of 2026 as a potentially pivotal year for women's football in India. Doing well in these competitions could keep the World Cup dream alive.

However, the veteran defender pinpointed grassroots development as the area most in need of urgent attention. She argued that a common problem is skipping the basics and going straight to the technical aspects of the game. Devi shared that she started playing football at 13, while now many players start at 10 or 11, but starting at five or six years old would result in better learning. Skill acquisition becomes increasingly difficult as players get older.

Devi also launched the Ashalata Devi Football Festival, which focuses on integrating football training with education to help young players avoid the struggles she faced. The initiative has exceeded expectations, fostering hope for the future of Indian women's football.

India's journey in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers came to an end after a 2-1 defeat to Qatar in June. The team finished third in Group A, failing to secure a top-two position needed to advance to the third round of the AFC qualifiers. Progressing to the third round would have kept their World Cup hopes alive and ensured automatic entry into the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

The expansion of the FIFA World Cup to 48 teams from 32 offers India a greater chance of qualifying. To qualify, India would need to finish in the top two of their group in the second round of qualifiers to advance to the third round. The top two teams from each of the three groups in the third round would then qualify for the World Cup.