Can India play the World Cup?

How can India participate in the World Cup? The only realistic answer is when India gets an opportunity to host the event. But India did get its chance to participate in the world8217;s premier football event in 1950.

There were no qualifying rounds in those days. Teams from respective continents were selected on the basis of their performances. India8217;s praiseworthy display in the 1948 London Olympics earned them a berth in the World Cup. They lost to France in the lone match 1-2. Playing barefoot, the Indians dominated the proceeding but two missed penalties proved to be their undoing.

However, opinions differ as to why Indians never made it to the big event in Brazil in 1950. Some opine that the Indian players were not ready to wear the boots, which was mandatory according to FIFA rules, while others are of the opinion that the All India Football Federation did not have enough finances to send the team. Whatever the reasons, India missed its chance to play in the World Cup.