Indian football in freefall: One win in 16 matches; five goals in two years

Indian football is in freefall. Once seen as a nation on the rise, India now find itself sliding down the global and continental ranks with alarming speed.A 0-1 defeat to Hong Kong in a must-win AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier has brought things to a breaking point. Ranked 133rd in the latest FIFA rankings — just two spots above their worst position in a decade — the Indian men’s team has now won just one of their last 16 games across competitions.The loss to Hong Kong stung more because of how it unfolded. After a relatively encouraging first half, India conceded in the 94th minute when goalkeeper Vishal Kaith fouled Michael Udebuluzor in the box. Hong Kong’s Stefan Pereira slotted the penalty with ease. Another game lost. Another opportunity wasted.Missed chances defined India’s night — Ashique Kuruniyan missed a sitter, and even the returning Sunil Chhetri couldn’t convert from close range. The team has managed just five goals in two years, underlining the deepening crisis in attack.Chhetri’s comeback from retirement offered a glimmer of hope, but at 40, even his leadership and presence can’t mask the lack of quality and cutting edge in the squad.On that, scoring just five goals in two years highlights how significantly the Indian forwards have declined over time.In the broader Asian picture, India now rank 24th out of 46 AFC nations — behind countries like Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan, and Lebanon. Compare this to 2018, when India were ranked 96 in the world and competing closely with teams like Jordan. That same Jordan team is now in the 2026 World Cup and recently reached the AFC Asian Cup final. India, meanwhile, are still struggling to score.The situation off the field offers little reassurance. The national setup remains unclear, with coaching duties currently being split — officially or otherwise — between club and country.India's golden moment in football feels like a distant memory. Without a clear strategy, youth development pipeline, or consistent results, the path to recovery appears long and uncertain.The dream of qualifying for major tournaments like the AFC Asian Cup and even the World Cup now seems more distant than ever.