Known as the 'soccer powerhouse' in the South Asian Football Federation region, the Indian National Football Team is the 117th ranked team in the FIFA World Rankings (April 2006). This team is controlled by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) which was founded in 1937.

The team enjoyed better times in the past. They qualified for the 1950 World Cup, finished 4th in the football tournament at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, won gold medal in Asian Games 1962 and finished 4th and 3rd in 1966 and 1970 Asian Games respectively. But now, qualifying for the Asian Cups or the World Cups seems some distance away.

The rising popularity of cricket and poor sponsorship have led to a lack of quality players in the National Team. However, Nike has signed a deal of seven-year sponsorship in February 2006. Recently started, the national league games are also being televised.