Former general secretary of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), Shaji Prabhakaran, has said that India's continued absence from the FIFA World Cup is not a consequence of insufficient talent or population, but a failure of the country's football ecosystem to work collectively and consistently toward a shared goal. Speaking on 19 July, Prabhakaran called for structural reform across governance, grassroots development, and elite competition to reverse the nation's footballing fortunes.

The Core Problem: Collective Will, Not Capability

'It's a very sad situation in terms of the world asking the question like why 1.4 billion people are not qualifying for the World Cup, but the reality is that we are not working hard to be there, simple as it is, yeah. We have everything to be there, but then it requires consistent hard work, honest hard work, bringing people together and working as one,' Prabhakaran said.

He was emphatic that the obstacles are not insurmountable — the problem, he argued, lies in execution and alignment rather than in any fundamental deficiency of Indian football.

What Needs to Change Across Indian Football

Prabhakaran did not single out any one department for blame. Instead, he identified systemic gaps across multiple layers of the game. 'In every aspect, we need to improve, whether it is the governance aspect, whether it is the grassroots aspect, whether it is about our competitive situation at the youth level or at the senior elite level. We have to improve but it is all about sincerely working towards a goal,' he said.

He stressed that India already possesses two critical assets — a passionate fan base and a government willing to invest in sport. What is missing, he contended, is the ability of football's administrators to unite behind a common vision and demonstrate accountability. 'Now it is up to the football people who are in command of the situation, command of the organisation to take the right decision at the right time and bring people together,' he added.

Transparency and a Long-Term Blueprint

Prabhakaran made a pointed case for financial transparency as a prerequisite for credibility. 'Any fan should be able to see what an organisation is doing to bring about that change — where the money is coming from and where it is going. That transparency is very much required,' he said.

He outlined a structured pathway: developing 10 to 12 elite teams in every age group, beginning from the Under-17 level, with approximately 2,000 elite players per age group, sustained over the next 10 years. He also advocated hiring qualified foreign technical professionals to complement domestic management talent.

World Cup Qualification 'Very Much Possible' in 10–15 Years

Despite the current challenges, Prabhakaran remained optimistic. 'Definitely, we can qualify for the World Cup. That's the hope we continue to believe in. One of my biggest goals in life, before we say goodbye to this universe, is to see India play at the FIFA World Cup,' he said.

He dismissed suggestions that the challenge requires extraordinary solutions. 'It's not rocket science. If we want to see our team playing in the World Cup in maybe 10 years' time, or 15 years' time, it's very much possible,' he stated, adding that a complete and transparent project plan — accessible to any fan — is the foundation required.

Government Backing: Potential Unlocked Only Through Accountability

Prabhakaran argued that sustained government support could be transformative, but only if football authorities build credibility first. 'We need to convince the government that this is a sport worth investing in, and that we will be able to deliver results and make India proud,' he said. He expressed confidence that with adequate government resources and a credible plan, failure would be avoidable. 'If you can convince the government and secure its support on a much bigger scale, there's no way we are going to fail. I'm convinced of that because we have everything,' he concluded.