What could be the impact of another FIFA ban on Indian Football?

Indian Football is facing the possibility of another ban if the conditions laid by FIFA are not met.

FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) wrote a letter to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Tuesday, August 26. The letter contained strict conditions from the global governing body that the AIFF has to abide by and fulfil before October 30, 2025.

FIFA has asked AIFF to secure a definitive order from the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India approving the revised AIFF Constitution. Ensuring full alignment of the AIFF Constitution with the mandatory provisions of the FIFA and AFC Statutes and regulations is also one of the conditions. To avoid another ban, AIFF will also have to obtain formal ratification of the AIFF Constitution at the next AIFF General Meeting.

If AIFF fails to comply with these guidelines before the deadline of October 30, 2025, Indian Football may face another ban from FIFA. In this article, we will look into the impacts of another ban on Indian Football.

Also Read: FIFA–AFC warn AIFF to end crisis and adopt new constitution by 30 October or face ban

Indian Football back in the Stone Age

A FIFA ban would be like a chilling spell cast on Indian Football that would just freeze all that is in existence. The whole system will collapse. There would be no incentive for any stakeholder to continue the business as usual. The commercial partners would pull out, the sponsors would turn their backs, and those who are investing in grassroots would cease their operations.

There would be an eerie standstill symbolising the halt of Indian Football. In the last decade or so, it has taken a gargantuan effort to bring reforms in Indian Football, whether it is with regard to professionalism, infrastructure, financial muscle, or remuneration standards. We would go back to square one, staring at the debris of an edifice that was under construction.

No AFC Asian Cup for the Senior and U20 Women’s teams

Amid all the negativity in Indian Football in recent times, the brightest glimmer of hope is women’s football. The senior women’s national team has qualified for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup for the first time on merit.

If India manage to qualify for the knockouts of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, they will qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, an event that would change Indian Football forever. However, that would remain only a dream in case of a FIFA ban.

The Indian U20 Women’s team have also qualified for the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup after nearly two decades. Their participation would also be jeopardised if FIFA bans Indian Football.

Indian Men’s team out of AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers

The Indian senior men’s team is currently playing the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. The Blue Tigers have already played two matches of the qualifiers. They are aiming to qualify for the continental competition for the third time in a row after successfully qualifying in 2019 and 2023.

A FIFA ban resulting in the elimination of the Indian team from the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers would push Indian Football 20 years back in time. Alongside, the senior men’s team, the U17 men’s and women’s teams also risk expulsion from their respective Asian Cup qualifiers campaign to be played in November as well.

No continental football for Indian clubs

The biggest reward for clubs in Indian Football is to represent the country on the Asian stage and compete with some of the best clubs on the continent. In the last few years, we have seen Indian clubs making steady progress in continental club competitions.

This year also two Indian clubs, Mohun Bagan Super Giant and FC Goa, have qualified for the AFC Champions League 2, the second-tier continental competition. They have an opportunity to rub shoulders with world-class players, but a FIFA ban would never let that opportunity come to life.

Not just in men’s club competitions, India also have representatives in women’s club continental competitions. East Bengal FC are currently playing in the AFC Women’s Champions League preliminary stage, where they have already won a match. Another win would confirm their group stage qualification.

A similar situation arose in 2022 when India received a FIFA ban. Gokulam FC were denied an opportunity to play in the AFC Women’s Champions League. Another such casualty would be a huge blow for women’s football in India.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi won’t be seen playing in India

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The Indian Football fans are waiting with bated breath to watch global superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi play in India. The Indian Super League club FC Goa have qualified for the group stage of the AFC Champions League 2, and they have been placed in the same group as Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr. There is a possibility that Cristiano Ronaldo might travel to India with Al Nassr to play the away fixtures of ACL 2.

The Argentina national team is also slated to play a friendly match in Kerala. Lionel Messi will also be a part of the travelling Argentine team. However, all these plans would be thrown out of the window if Indian Football is again banned by FIFA.

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