New Delhi, July 11: In 2016, two teenagers stood on the same football field in India, united by a shared dream.
One would go on to become one of the most feared strikers in world football, lighting up the FIFA World Cup 2026 and breaking records wherever he played.
The other would proudly wear the Indian jersey, represent the country at various levels and build a respectable professional career before recently finding stability with a job in the Income Tax Department. The first was Erling Haaland. The second was Aniket Jadhav.At first glance, the comparison seems unfair. Norway and India are worlds apart in football. But look a little deeper and the two careers tell a much bigger story—one that explains why India, despite its passion and population of over 1.4 billion, remains far from qualifying for a FIFA World Cup. It is easy to believe that India simply does not produce enough talented footballers. The truth is far more complicated.
Talent has never been India’s biggest problem.The system has. Haaland’s rise was no accident. From Bryne to Molde, Red Bull Salzburg, Borussia Dortmund and eventually Manchester City, every stage of his career was carefully planned. He trained in elite academies, competed against the best young players from an early age and benefited from world-class coaching, sports science, nutrition, psychology and performance analysis.
Nothing about his development was left to chance.
European football has spent decades perfecting a system where promising youngsters are identified early, nurtured patiently and constantly challenged in highly competitive environments. By the time players reach the senior level, they have already played hundreds of meaningful matches and developed physically, mentally and tactically.It is a production line built to create world-class footballers. Aniket Jadhav’s journey was built on determination as well. He represented India at youth and senior levels, trained abroad and played professional football. His commitment cannot be questioned. But commitment alone cannot compensate for structural shortcomings.
Like many talented Indian footballers, Jadhav developed in an ecosystem where opportunities were fewer, competitive exposure was limited and financial security often remained uncertain. Many players eventually begin thinking about life after football while they are still in their twenties.
That is a reality few elite European footballers have to face.The challenges begin much earlier. Across Europe, children often receive structured coaching from the age of six or seven. Academies work closely with schools, sports scientists monitor physical growth, and licensed coaches focus on technical development long before winning trophies becomes a priority.
In India, grassroots football continues to grow, but the pathway is still fragmented. Many youngsters lack access to qualified coaches, quality pitches, regular competitions and professional academies. Some states produce excellent talent, but there is no nationwide system that consistently develops players year after year.
Competitive football is another major difference.
Young players in Europe’s leading football nations regularly play long league seasons against strong opposition. Every match contributes to their tactical understanding and decision-making.
In India, many age-group footballers play only a handful of competitive matches annually. Long breaks between tournaments often interrupt development, making it difficult to maintain consistency and improve under pressure. Then comes sports science. Modern football is no longer just about skill with the ball. Recovery, nutrition, biomechanics, injury prevention, data analytics and psychological preparation have become essential parts of player development.
The world’s best clubs invest millions in these areas because they understand that marginal improvements often separate good players from great ones.
While several Indian clubs have made encouraging progress, such facilities remain unavailable to a large number of aspiring footballers across the country.
Coaching standards also remain a work in progress.
Successful football nations continuously invest in educating coaches because every great player begins with a great teacher. India has increased the number of licensed coaches in recent years, but the scale and consistency still trail the world’s footballing powers.Perhaps the biggest challenge, however, is the lack of a sustainable football culture beyond a handful of regions.Football enjoys immense popularity in states such as Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Goa, Kerala and West Bengal. Yet cricket continues to dominate sponsorship, television coverage and commercial investment across the country.
As a result, many talented youngsters are forced to choose between pursuing an uncertain football career or securing long-term financial stability elsewhere.
That uncertainty affects dreams long before they reach the national team.
This is why expecting India to qualify for the FIFA World Cup simply by finding a few exceptional players is unrealistic. One Lionel Messi cannot transform Argentina without a football culture behind him.One Kylian Mbappe cannot carry France without its academies.
One Erling Haaland cannot succeed without Norway’s development structure.Likewise, one or two gifted Indian footballers cannot bridge a gap that has been decades in the making.
None of this means India’s World Cup dream is impossible. The country has begun taking positive steps through youth academies, the Indian Super League, improved grassroots initiatives and increased investment in infrastructure. More Indian coaches are earning international licences, and sports science is slowly becoming part of elite football programmes. But meaningful progress requires patience.
India must continue investing in grassroots football, coach education, youth leagues, medical support, sports science, talent identification and sustainable club structures. Young footballers also need regular high-quality competition and the confidence that football can provide a stable professional career. At the same time, mentality cannot be overlooked. The desire to improve every day, embrace discipline, compete fearlessly and relentlessly pursue excellence remains equally important. World-class systems create opportunities, but world-class mindsets seize them.
The photograph of Haaland and Aniket Jadhav standing together in 2016 has resurfaced repeatedly over the years.
It is not a reminder of what one player achieved and another did not. It is a reminder that while talent may be universal, opportunity rarely is. Until India builds an ecosystem where talent, infrastructure, coaching, competition and mentality come together, the World Cup will remain a dream worth chasing—but one that is unlikely to become reality anytime soon. (Agencies)
