Former India striker Robin Singh believes India's long-standing FIFA World Cup dream is achievable, provided the country draws the right lessons from emerging football nations like Cape Verde and adopts a long-term development model similar to Japan's. Singh made the remarks in an interview on 10 July, where he argued that smaller nations proving themselves on the global stage should serve as a blueprint for Indian football.

The Cape Verde Lesson

Robin Singh pointed to Cape Verde's performances at the FIFA World Cup 2026 as evidence that belief and sustained planning can close the gap with traditional football powerhouses. 'I think the gap between the so-called big boys of the tournament and the rest is closing. When you look at the Asian teams, the organisation and work ethic they've shown, and then you look at the stories that Cape Verde have created, it tells you that if you believe in it, it's not impossible. That's a leaf that India can also take out of their book. If you want to chase a dream and have the right people, we can chase it,' Singh said.

Conquer Asia First, World Cup Second

While acknowledging India's World Cup ambitions, Singh was emphatic that the immediate priority must be establishing India among Asia's elite football nations. 'Every time we speak about India playing at the World Cup, I always say conquering Asia is far more important. Japan showed us that the gap is closing,' he said. This perspective reflects a broader frustration among Indian football observers — that the country periodically chases qualification headlines without building the structural foundation needed to compete consistently at the continental level.

Japan's Model: Vision Beyond Qualification

Singh highlighted Japan's decades-long football vision as the most instructive model for India. He noted that Japan's approach went far beyond preparing teams for individual campaigns. 'Japan had a Mission 100 World Cup, which later became Mission 50 because they were progressing so brilliantly. It wasn't just about playing at the World Cup. They even created an anime to inspire young people to fall in love with football. That's the kind of atmosphere a country needs to create,' he explained. The reference to Japan's cultural investment — using popular media to build grassroots passion — underlines that football development is as much a societal project as a sporting one.

Infrastructure, Coaching, and Grassroots Investment

Singh stressed that world-class players cannot be produced through short-burst preparation cycles. 'It is not going to be that you wake up every three years and say, I want to play the World Cup tomorrow. It doesn't happen like that. It may not be this team or the next one, but you have to create players and build infrastructure for the future,' he said. He further noted that sustained investment in coaching, facilities, and grassroots football matters far more than spotlight moments. 'Football is about much more than what happens under the floodlights. It's the work that goes on beyond that which is more important. Japan is the prime example,' Singh added.

India's Path Forward

Wrapping up his assessment, Singh reiterated that India's World Cup aspirations must be anchored in a clear, long-term national vision. 'When you look at Cape Verde, it shows that the size of a nation is not important. The gap is closing. Either you're moving with that gap, or you're left behind. If India wants to play at the World Cup, it has to have that aim, that vision, and keep working towards it,' he said. Singh is currently part of the Zee5 FIFA World Cup 2026 expert panel. His remarks carry weight given his experience as a former India international who witnessed firsthand the structural gaps in Indian football development.