Former Indian national football team captain Bhaichung Bhutia stated this week that while qualification remains a monumental challenge, India would stand a significantly better chance of reaching the FIFA World Cup if the tournament expands to 64 teams. Speaking at a sports development forum in New Delhi, the iconic striker also projected that the Indian women’s national team is structurally positioned to qualify for their respective World Cup ahead of the men’s squad.
The Road to the World Cup
India, currently ranked 121st in the FIFA men’s world rankings, has never participated in a FIFA World Cup. The closest the nation came was in 1950, when they withdrew before the tournament began. Since then, the Blue Tigers have struggled to make an impact on the continental stage, let alone the global arena.
FIFA recently expanded the men’s World Cup from 32 teams to 48 teams for the 2026 edition in North America, increasing Asia’s direct qualification slots from four to eight. However, despite this expansion, India failed to progress past the second round of the joint 2026 World Cup and 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. A series of disappointing performances, including a shock loss to Afghanistan and a draw against Kuwait, led to the dismissal of head coach Igor Stimac and highlighted the deep-seated issues within the national setup.
The 64-Team Proposition
Bhutia, who earned over 80 caps for India during his illustrious career and was the poster boy of Indian football in the 2000s, believes that even the 48-team format may not be enough to guarantee India a spot. He argues that a further expansion to 64 teams would provide the realistic competitive cushion India needs to navigate the Asian qualifiers.
“With 48 teams, it is still extremely difficult for us because we have to be among the top eight in Asia,” Bhutia explained during his address. “But if FIFA eventually expands the tournament to 64 teams, our mathematical and competitive chances increase dramatically, though it is still no guarantee. We must improve our standard of play regardless of the tournament size.”
The logistical and financial feasibility of a 64-team World Cup remains a topic of intense debate within FIFA. While more teams mean increased broadcasting revenue and wider global engagement, critics argue it dilutes the quality of competition and places immense strain on host nations. However, for developing football nations like India, such an expansion represents a golden ticket to the world’s biggest sporting stage.
Women’s Football Leading the Charge
In a calculated assessment of the country’s footballing landscape, Bhutia highlighted the rapid progress of the women’s game in India. He asserted that the women’s national team, currently ranked 65th in the world—significantly higher than their male counterparts—possesses a more viable path to World Cup qualification.
“The women’s team has shown immense resilience and tactical growth over the last decade,” Bhutia noted. “Because the global gap in women’s football is narrower and the competition structure in Asia is highly dynamic, they could realistically secure a World Cup spot before the men’s team does. They need sustained investment and better league structures to take that final step.”
Data supports Bhutia’s optimism. The Indian women’s team has consistently dominated South Asian competitions, winning the SAFF Women’s Championship five times. However, systemic challenges, including a lack of domestic league depth and limited international exposure, continue to hinder their transition to the elite Asian level where powerhouses like Japan, Australia, and China dominate.
Structural Reforms Needed for Future Success
Bhutia’s comments underscore the urgent need for grassroots development and structural reform within the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Relying on external factors like FIFA tournament expansions cannot replace the fundamental need for robust domestic leagues, such as the Indian Super League (ISL), to produce world-class talent.
Football analysts suggest that India must focus on youth development pipelines rather than hoping for favorable qualification formats. The AIFF’s “Vision 2047” roadmap aims to place India among the top four footballing nations in Asia by the centenary of the nation’s independence, but execution remains inconsistent across state associations.
As FIFA continues to explore new formats and commercial avenues, the global football landscape will inevitably shift. Observers will be watching closely to see if India can capitalize on these structural changes and internal reforms, or if the country’s footballing aspirations will remain unfulfilled despite an expanding global stage.
