One step forward, two steps backwards. That has been the way Indian football moved in recent times. Not that the sport is in any good shape but the look out now is how much deeper would the sport fall. Much has been written on this sad state of affairs that one is pained to visit this continuing situation time and again. The latest is the depressive show in the AFC Asian cup qualification where for the first time since 2019 India has crashed out with the lowest point being the loss to Singapore, a country which is over 20 rungs below the home nation. This meant India is not good enough to be in the group of 24 from this continent which would be there for this Cup event in 2027! What is more the loss to Singapore also brought down India’s FIFA ranking to 136, the lowest in nine years!

These are times when yearning for pride on the sports arena has been on the rise. Nothing better symbolises this than the way Cape Verde, a country hardly known to the world at large, rose to become a participant for the 2026 World cup to be hosted jointly by USA, Mexico and Canada. The tiniest nation ever to get this rare opportunity. Even if unknown to the world of sports at large. Cape Verde has a well-established football set up, competitions, national league and the country has been participating in the Africa Cup of Nations, with the best show........

© Mathrubhumi English