The much-awaited FIFA World Cup started on June 11, 2026. It is scheduled for more than a month, ending on July 19, 2026. While 48 countries have participated in this year’s football event, the absence of India has raised a lot of questions. Indeed, the international football teams have already found a big fan base among football lovers in India. The situation could have been very different if the Indian football team had also been playing at the FIFA World Cup.
Notably, the identity of India as a cricket-loving nation is usually believed to be one of the main reasons. But the reality is very different compared to what people think right now. Meanwhile, a lot of people are unaware of the truth that the Indian team once qualified for the FIFA World Cup. However, they could not play. Keep reading to find out the reasons!
When did India qualify for the FIFA World Cup?
India undoubtedly came to be known as a cricket-loving country over these years. While India’s absence at the FIFA World Cup has created a different kind of debate, the Indian team had once qualified to play during the 1950 World Cup in Brazil. India got the opportunity as a result of a few teams withdrawing from the event, including Myanmar, Indonesia, and the Philippines. India was able to enter the race without playing a qualifier against other teams like Sweden, Italy, and Paraguay.
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