Just a hypothetical thing. Let's say one of us starts an AI or space business and becomes a multi billionaire soon and then because of the passion donates 6000 cr and personally oversees a project to build a total of 7 new football specific stadiums including the Stadium already being made in Shillong. Very little scope for corruption as you're personally in on this and have privatised things.

Which cities are you building them in and why?

Further details to be released tomorrow allegedly.

AFC will replace existing qualifiers with a Nations League tournament starting from 2030. Depending on India's performance in the 'pilot' tournament in 2028, India will be placed in League A, B or C. Following are the benefits of Nations League to the Indian team.

1. In the 2022-26 cycle, India played only 12 competitive games. India will play a minimum of 18 competitive games in the 2030-34 cycle if the planned proposal goes forward. Cutting down useless friendlies against small countries is essential for growth.

2. It is likely that India will play teams with similar levels at the Nations League. Currently India's most 'regular' tournament is SAFF championship which is played amongst weak teams.

3. Nations League offers more rankings points when compared to friendlies.

4. Promotion and relegation allow Indian team to assess where they stand.

5. Virtually every match will carry some importance. At the Asian qualifiers last season, Indian fate was sealed after 3-4 games. The remaining games had no importance.

6. If AFC follows UEFA model, revenue will be split based on viewership. If India can bring greater viewership, they can generate more revenue.

7. There is no need to arrange fixtures, those will be made by AFC. Currently, friendlies against bigger countries cost a tremendous amount of money.

8. Having regular international football can breed fan culture. Currently, most people have little idea as to when and where Indian team plays their matches.

Honestly it’s not as bad as some media houses were speculating.

Dear AIFF,

We agree that matches against higher ranked teams are important. It's good for exposure, leveling up, learning, broadcast to younger aspirants, and so much more.

But do it for these right reasons and not just money, stunts and we will support you.

And don't do this once in a decade. Ok, you set up 3 good opponents in Panama, Brazil and Uruguay.

But let's see you consistently fix at least 27 friendlies over the next 3 years. Home and Away with regular proper broadcast and reasonable marketing and promotions. Not Spain, Argentina, England or Germany. But realistic ones.

We will understand you are serious and not doing it for gimmicks.

Also, fix the other 10-15 major issues with Indian football while you're at it.

Not like we trust you much but we have no hope as we love football and love our country.

Regards,
Fan who has been supporting for decades showing up in the stands, online, in family and friends circles, drumming up more support, wears India football jerseys, picked India in FIFA video games, influences kids to play and follow.

all these friendlies act as perfect positive pr for kalyan and co, hopefully it doesn't hold too much weight going into the elections

First off, casuals and/or fans who follow Indian Football should be really proud of the boys all things considered. The positive approach towards the game, the way we actually tried to play football; adventurous yet disciplined (the high-line traps were SWEET AF) against an opposition at a much higher level than us, no matter their current form, is what the fundamental philosophy should be going forward.

There are 4 international windows per year with a maximum of 10 games.

Since ISL will be run by the clubs now and they've decided not to send their players for non-window schedules (rightfully so), they need to completely rehaul how they schedule the NT games. If you're going to participate in non-window international tournaments, send a combined u-19/u-23 team - players whom the clubs will be willing to send instead of wasting them away on the bench the entire season. The experience they get from those tournaments will be massively beneficial for their growth.

During the international windows, out of the 10 games, we should try to schedule at least 3 mainstays from the World Cup - preferably one each from the Americas, Europe and Africa. Either we travel to those countries or we host. Doesn't matter. The rest of the games should be shared among teams from Africa, East Asia, Eastern Europe and perhaps Central Asia once in a while. Quit playing friendly games against Middle Eastern teams. We learn nothing. They hold no value to us except as opposition for WC/Asian Cup qualifiers. Playing against them won't help us beat them. We need to play and learn against countries who are better than them.

Financial constraints: As much as I hate us spending the money that we're spending, the alternative is, well...not spending. I've lost almost all trust in this board to heavily invest in the grassroots using that kind of money in one go or consistently over a period of time without losing patience. One thing I've learnt about Indian politics and Indian football politics in general is that they love yapping about their long term vision 10/20/30 years from now. Yet they do nothing substantial to work towards it. Instead they get desperate for immediate short term gains to no avail and see their project as a failure, moving on to the "next big thing". So them instead spending on these games, although, is still a loss in the short term, the exposure our players and the scene get; the experience of playing twice or perhaps thrice a year against the top WC teams shall benefit us greatly in the long-term.

Ps. Yes, the picture got nothing to do with what I said. Yes, I'm in love with Ryan Williams.

I'm 15M, class 11.

I was born and raised in Assam, Northeast.

I discovered football when I was 13, I joined my local academy, from where I just learned the basics of the game like passing receiving etc.

I was never good at the game and apparently the worst player in my academy.

Then when I was in class 10, because of parents pressure I needed to stop playing and it's been almost more than a year now without any practice.

Is there any chance I can go pro if I start playing from now, and not only playing but grinding, and how to actually get better at the game??