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Not sure if this will ever happen but if it does then it will be one heck of a game!
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Not sure if this will ever happen but if it does then it will be one heck of a game!
India is already in FIFA 2017
Especially if it takes place on June the 18th.
India meanwhile has a decent chance to qualify for the 2026 WC,which involves 48 teams.
Not sure if this will ever happen but if it does then it will be one heck of a game!
Very much possible in the years to come (around 2040-2050 I'd say), some systemic changes and talent scouting (esp. given the very young pop ; median age of 23 in Pak/27 in India) can give fast results, that's the nature of the sport (as opposed to Test in cricket, where you need more technical polishing on a wider scale, which takes more time).
For instance, as Croatia beat Argentina 3-0 few days ago, if you look at their FIFA rankings, they went from 122 in 1993 to 9 in 1999. That was not even a decade.
It’s about physicality too and last time I checked Pakistan fared poorly in physical sports bro. What are your plans about that? Are you going to produce world class athletes like magic suddenly? Croats were athletic. India also is way ahead in physical sports. Much better built and stronger.
Mexico's victory over Germany should give South Asians hope. I used to think that we don't have the athletes to compete, but we have at least as good athletes as Mexico.
Are you seriously comparing South Americans with South Asians in football?
Only way India can fancy it's chances in playing in WC 2026 is by investing in North East.
Best footballers in the subcontinent by a mile those people.
Interestingly the best footballers in Pakistan are in the western Balochistan region and up north in Baltistan area. We in the middle are slow with our feet.![]()
It’s about physicality too and last time I checked Pakistan fared poorly in physical sports bro. What are your plans about that? Are you going to produce world class athletes like magic suddenly? Croats were athletic. India also is way ahead in physical sports. Much better built and stronger.
If they had played in the last three years, what ranking would be realistic? Do you think a British Pakistani team would beat the Pakistan national team?
Interestingly the best footballers in Pakistan are in the western Balochistan region and up north in Baltistan area. We in the middle are slow with our feet.![]()
Which is kinda surprising since we in the middle have produced some of the greatest field hockey players of all time.
When we used to play football against fareejes (neighborhoods) like Satwa (were the best as compromised of Balochis, Meenawis etc), Bur Dubai, Hamariya etc in Dubai, the best players were mostly Balochis or Iranis. If half of them were granted citizenship, the UAE team would have been a totally different beast.
Isn't the Omani team full of Baloch? They haven't done much.
When we used to play football against fareejes (neighborhoods) like Satwa (were the best as compromised of Balochis, Meenawis etc), Bur Dubai, Hamariya etc in Dubai, the best players were mostly Balochis or Iranis. If half of them were granted citizenship, the UAE team would have been a totally different beast.
If they had played in the last three years, what ranking would be realistic? Do you think a British Pakistani team would beat the Pakistan national team?
They have a lot of individual talent, especially with dribbling, don't have the infrastructure and experience of international football though. Totally different ball game.
Are you seriously comparing South Americans with South Asians in football?
Mexicans, not South Americans.
1) I said hope for the future, obviously there is no comparison at the present.
2) I probably know more Mexicans in real life than you do, and the comparison can indeed be made.
They have a lot of individual talent, especially with dribbling, don't have the infrastructure and experience of international football though. Totally different ball game.
Mexico's victory over Germany should give South Asians hope. I used to think that we don't have the athletes to compete, but we have at least as good athletes as Mexico.
I was talking along the lines of their physicality which was obviously what you were pointing at.
Hope point is valid.
Don't get what you knowing more Mexicans has got to do with anything, their footballing culture and history is way, way ahead of Indians.
So what is the situation with football in Pakistan? Is it played by many youngsters in school and college, or is it all cricket? Also, is there a domestic league?
Growing up in India I played much more football than cricket (was perfectly horrible at cricket). The passion playing football generates is incredible.
I meant to say that South Asians may match Mexicans athletically, at least in the near future. Like South Asia, Mexico won zero medals in the last Summer Olympics!
My point was that culture can be developed. However, if you don't have the athletes, you will never succeed.
And btw, India has a pretty long culture of football. Bengalis and Goanese are totally crazy about the game for over a century.
Why are you bringing Pakistan into this? I was talking about the expat Balochis in the UAE.
My sympathies that you were so bad at cricket.
I meant to say that South Asians may match Mexicans athletically, at least in the near future. Like South Asia, Mexico won zero medals in the last Summer Olympics!
My point was that culture can be developed. However, if you don't have the athletes, you will never succeed.
And btw, India has a pretty long culture of football. Bengalis and Goanese are totally crazy about the game for over a century.
Foot ball is also not just about Athleticism. Maradona was only 5'6" and was not super fit nor had a disciplined life style. He had weird personality and life style, yet on the field there was nobody better than him...Same is true with many Brazilian genius of past. Socrates, Falco, Romario, Ronaldo etc were not running around field all the time, but when they get the ball in the final 3rd, they will murder you...South American play their best, when they enjoy the game, they are treat to watch on those times, they popularize the game around the world...Nobody like to see boring defensive Italian foot ball...
Ramario after winning WC, got signed by Barcelona, he was force to do proper training, waking up early in the morning, exercise routine etc. He did not like that, he was fun loving, partying Brazilian. He did not last season there, too much work
Similarly, Zidane was rejected by Algerian national team, he is too slow and fragile. He end up winning the WC and one of the best player to come out of Europe in last 50 years...
Even now you look at Neymar, he is a character and looks pretty fragile, but has already scored 56 goals for Brazil(only behind Pele and Ronaldo, he is only 26) and if he gets into rhythm, Brazil can win the Cup!!
Dear MIG,
Please never mention India and Pakistan in one sentence as far as football is concerned.
Global ranking :-
India - 97
Pakistan - 200
With all due respect it will take decades and decades of improvement and investment for Pakistan to reach India’s level in football.
Foot ball is also not just about Athleticism. Maradona was only 5'6" and was not super fit nor had a disciplined life style.
A better example would be the Japanese, they're one of the shortest teams in the world cup and are the best team in Asia.
Pakistan are scheduled to play again in September.It will be our first game in 3 years.We won’t be qualifying for any World Cups if such a situation persists.India meanwhile have a much better infrastructure and are quite experienced.
It is in FIFA's interests for India to qualify for the World Cup, and it will happen soon. If they do not qualify on footballing merit in the next 15-20 years, I suspect their participation will eventually be facilitated one way or the other.
As far as Pakistan is concerned, we are completely pointless football nation that will never have any clout and leverage in this sport. I don't see FIFA taking any initiatives to help us feature in World Cups, and it will take a miracle for us to make it on footballing merit. Maybe in 40-50 years, but I will not bet on it.
lol What
FIFA are increasing the number of team in the World Cup but why would they care if India qualifies or not? And how would they ensure their participation? Please do explain.
India is a market of 1.2 billion, with a rapidly growing market for football. FIFA has not been able to maximize the potential of the South Asian market yet, and India is of course the major player in the region. Their football league will pay dividends over the long run. It has been able to attract some ex-world class players and managers who have plied their trade in the Premier League, and clubs like Atletico Madrid have co-owned franchises.
It is only a matter of time before it propels the Indian National Team to a World Cup spot. The growth of Indian football is also of considerable interest to FIFA. three years ago, the FIFA website ran an article calling India the "sleeping giant" of football, and last year, the FIFA President called it a "passionate giant of football".
It is also not a coincidence that India were awarded the hosting rights of the 2017 U-17 World Cup. In the long-term, India is a viable option for hosting the World Cup.
I don't know how FIFA will push India to play the World Cup if they do not make it on merit, but 20 years ago, people would have laughed at the idea of Qatar hosting the World Cup in 2022, and India hosting the U-17 World Cup in 2017.