4 days ago
Sunil Chhetri Calls for Unity Amid Indian Football’s Decline
Sunil Chhetri says Indian football is having a difficult time.
India’s national team is ranked 138th in the FIFA rankings.
The Indian Super League calendar is also uncertain.
Chhetri says players, coaches, football officials and journalists should not blame one another.
He believes everyone must accept responsibility and work together.
He also says people should remain hopeful while asking important questions.
India will play Panama, Brazil and Uruguay in upcoming matches.
Chhetri feels a little jealous because he never played against teams as famous as Brazil and Uruguay.
He says the current players should make the most of their opportunity.
Sunil Chhetri urged the All India Football Federation, players, coaches and media to stop blaming one another.
India has fallen to 138th in the FIFA rankings, while the Indian Super League calendar remains uncertain.
Chhetri said players must accept responsibility for defeats that contributed to the national team’s decline.
He called for hopeful but honest debate and collective action to address Indian football’s problems.
India is scheduled to face Panama, Brazil and Uruguay before touring New Zealand for two matches.
- Who
- Former India captain Sunil Chhetri addressed the All India Football Federation, players, coaches and media, while discussing the national team and Indian football.
- What
- Chhetri urged all stakeholders to end mutual blame and work collectively to improve Indian football.
- Where
- The remarks were made on the sidelines of the Indian Football Awards 2026 in Kolkata; the Brazil and Uruguay matches are scheduled for Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium.
- When
- He made the comments on Saturday, August 29; India’s listed fixtures include Panama on September 26, Brazil on October 3 and Uruguay three days later.
- Why
- Indian football is facing a decline, including India’s 138th FIFA ranking, uncertainty around the Indian Super League calendar and financial strain affecting clubs and players.
Institutional and structural concerns
Shared responsibility and collective action
Causes of the decline
Institutional and structural concerns
Critics have pointed to instability around the domestic calendar, the lack of a clear long-term roadmap and the decision to withdraw from the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup.
Shared responsibility and collective action
Chhetri said players must also accept responsibility, citing matches that India should have won but lost and the way the team has played.
How to respond
Institutional and structural concerns
The problems require stakeholders to ask difficult questions and debate decisions affecting the national team and domestic football.
Shared responsibility and collective action
Chhetri said questions should be asked, but warned that blaming players, coaches or the All India Football Federation alone would not improve the sport.
Key facts
- Speaker
- Sunil Chhetri, former India captain and international footballer
- FIFA ranking
- India is ranked 138th
- Domestic competition
- The Indian Super League calendar faces uncertainty after its previous commercial management contract ended
- Upcoming fixture
- India is scheduled to play Panama on September 26 in Bengaluru
- High-profile fixtures
- India is scheduled to host Brazil on October 3 and Uruguay three days later
- Further matches
- The national team will subsequently tour New Zealand for two matches
- Chhetri’s position
- He retired from international football last year and said he is now watching as a fan
Quotes
Sunil Chhetri
Former India captain and retired international footballer
“We shouldn't blame each other. Everyone has to come together if we want to reach somewhere. We have a choice. We can keep blaming each other, and we know where we're going to reach. Or we can all come together and do our work.”
telegraphindia.com
theprint.in
“I feel a little jealous as a spectator. In my 24-26 years as a professional and nearly 20 years with the national team, I never got an opportunity like this.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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