Why India, with 1.4 billion people, has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup
BBC — World—Despite being the world's most populous country, India has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup — a paradox both Indian and international journalists are revisiting during the 2026 tournament. Structural issues including underfunded grassroots development, competing sports priorities, and historically weak federation governance are cited as the main culprits. Questions remain about whether India's booming economy and sports investment can change its trajectory.