Top 10 states/UT's which have produced most Indian national football team players

Many footballers from other states are also coming up for the Indian football team.

Football is arguably the most beautiful sport in the world. It is also the most popular sport in the world by far, with billions following it.

The Indian football team consists of players from various parts of the country. There are a few parts that are hotbeds for football talent. Slowly many other states are also beginning to produce some quality football players. Many of the players come from different backgrounds and cultures to represent the Indian football team on the international stage.

Here we look at the top 10 states/UTs with the most players in the Indian football team:

10. Sikkim – 2

The Sikkim Football Association was formed in the year 1976, while previously it was known as the Gangtok Football and Sporting Association. Sikkim as a state has produced some really good players, but the standout player has been Bhaichung Bhutia, who is an Indian football legend. Another player Lako Phuti Bhutia also played for the national team for eight matches and also scored a goal.

Slowly more and more players are coming from the state to play in various leagues. Till now, two players have played for the national team. Mumbai City player Phurba Lachenpa is also from Sikkim and is most likely to play for the Indian football team.

9. Delhi – 3

The country’s capital is a Union Territory and has produced some good players, even though Delhi football in recent times has been full of controversy, but still, the region has contributed to Indian football, and still, some players can make it to the top for sure.

In the future, we can see more players from Delhi in the Indian Football Team. From Delhi, Rohit Kumar has played for the national team and has made nine appearances, similarly Narender Gahlot also made four appearances.

8. Karnataka – 7

After Kerala, Karnataka is the state from the south region which has produced most players for the national team. In recent times, we have seen how Karnataka’s Santosh Trophy team performed which shows that there are good players and a good talent pool of players in the state who can later make it to the national team.

Bengaluru FC right-back Nikhil Poojary is one the most famous footballers from the state and has played 25 matches for the Indian team, Vignesh Dakshinamurthy is also a well-known player from the state who have played for the country.

7. Mizoram – 10

Mizoram is one the biggest hotbeds of football talent. They have produced football players who are currently playing and have played earlier in the top leagues and the senior national team. Mizoram has a great culture of football, even after not spending a lot of money as a state, Mizoram has produced a lot of players.

Jeje, Chhangte, and many more players from the state have represented the national team. Apuia, Jerry are also some young exiting talents who have played for the country.

6. Greater Mumbai – 11

Some people will be surprised to see Greater Mumbai in this list, this region is not discussed enough but has produced some top-quality players for the Indian team. A total of 11 players from this region have gone on to represent the Indian team.

Rahul Bheke, Raynier Fernandes, Raju Gaikwad and Steven Dias are some of the most famous players from this region. As football is growing in this city, we can expect more and more quality playing coming out of this region.

5. Kerala – 16

Kerala is known for many reasons and football is one of them. They have a very strong football culture in the whole state and their fans are one of the most passionate fans in the country. Kerala football fans have a very strong presence on social media as well.

They have produced some of the best players in the country who have gone on to become legends of the game. IM Vijayan is the best player Kerala has produced, similarly, players like Anas Edathodika, and Jobby Justin have contributed to Indian football.

A total of 16 players from the state have represented the national team. Sahal, Rahul KP and Ashique are players from the state who are currently playing for the Indian football team.

4. Punjab – 20

Punjab is a state who have produced players in every sport and football is one of them, it is a sporting state that is very well known for producing physically strong athletes. Currently, the Indian team have Gurpreet Singh Sandhu as the goalkeeper, and like him, many more top-quality players have come from the state and have contributed immensely to Indian football.

Anwar Ali, Amrinder Singh, Deepak Tangri and Manvir Singh are some of the best players to come out from the state and have gone on to play for the national team.

3. West Bengal – 21

While the nation is well recognized for its cricket fans and players, unlike much of India, West Bengal shows a considerable enthusiasm for football. Especially the famous city of Kolkata is also known as the Mecca of Indian Football.

Historically West Bengal have produced some of the best football players for this country and is still producing it, even though the craze of football has gone down a bit, but still the people are very passionate about the game.

PK Banerjee was a legend for Indian football, and players like Subrata Bhattacharya, and Syed Rahim Nabi left a long-lasting impact on the national team.

2. Goa – 23

Goa is a popular state in the whole of India for many different things and football is one of them. Football in Goa is just like a Religion in the state, from small kids to adults everybody just loves and adores the beautiful game. This beautiful state has produced some of the best players who have gone on to represent the country and have received much praise internationally.

Till now 23 players from the state have played for the national team. Players like Rowllin Borges, Mahesh Gawli, Brandon Fernandes and Clifford Miranda have made their state and country proud as they have performed exceptionally well for the national team.

1. Manipur – 24

Manipur’s love for football is no secret. Manipur also has the most number of players for a state in the Indian Super League (ISL), I-League, and Indian Women’s League (IWL). In 1989, Kiren Khongsai was the first from the state to play for the national team, and following his steps many more players have gone on to represent the national team on the International stage.

Even after not having enough support and infrastructure the state has produced players consistently which have helped the national team a lot to grow more on the International stage. From this footballing state players like Sana Singh, Gouramangi Singh, Jeakson Singh, Roshan Singh and many more have played for the National team and have made the whole country proud.

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