New Delhi: In a significant move that could reshape the future of Indian football, All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey announced that efforts are now officially underway to integrate Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) players into the national team setup. The Federation is currently in touch with 33 eligible players across the globe, marking a potential turning point in Indian football’s quest to expand its talent pool.
A Step Toward Rebuilding Indian Football
Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi on Friday, Chaubey addressed the long-standing debate over the exclusion of OCI and PIO (Persons of Indian Origin) players from representing India in international football. This exclusion stems from a 2008 directive issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), which mandates that only Indian passport holders are eligible to represent the country at international sporting events.
This regulation has been repeatedly criticized for limiting the talent pool in sports such as football and tennis. The public outcry intensified recently after the Indian men’s football team’s humiliating 0-1 loss to Hong Kong, which underscored the national team’s struggles and lack of depth following the retirement of iconic striker Sunil Chhetri.
Such has been the shortage of elite Indian football talent that head coach Manolo Marquez was reportedly forced to urge the retired Chhetri to return for India’s crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers.
AIFF Engages With 33 OCI-Eligible Players
In response to growing public demand, the AIFF is now actively scouting and engaging with potential OCI players. According to Chaubey, 33 such players have been identified, with some already holding OCI cards, while others are in the process of obtaining them — assisted by the AIFF itself.
“The AIFF is in communication with 33 players who fall into the category of OCI. Some of them have received their OCI cards, and others are in the process of attaining the same, with the assistance of the AIFF,” said Chaubey.
He added that the Federation remains fully committed to aligning the process with both FIFA statutes and Indian legal frameworks.
“We are committed to aligning with the laws of the land and the framework of the FIFA statutes for the inclusion of OCI players in India,” Chaubey asserted.
Global Precedents and FIFA Statutes
Chaubey also cited the practices of other countries that have successfully utilized naturalized players to boost their national squads.
“Additionally, it is worth noting that many countries that lie below India in the FIFA rankings have adopted the policy of allowing naturalized players,” he pointed out.
The AIFF has reportedly initiated discussions with various ministries within the Government of India, including the Sports Ministry, to explore possibilities for creating a legal pathway that allows OCI cardholders to represent India in international competitions. According to Chaubey, the early responses have been “encouraging.”
A Push That May Revive Indian Football
This move marks a critical shift in policy, one that many believe is long overdue. India’s footballing ambitions have often been hindered by internal limitations, even as countries with less infrastructure and smaller populations have outperformed them on the international stage.
By potentially bringing in players of Indian origin raised in football-developed nations — many of whom have trained in top academies abroad — India could drastically improve its competitiveness and bolster its FIFA ranking, which has remained stagnant in recent years.
If successfully implemented, this could be the most significant reform in Indian football in over a decade, possibly leading to better performances in events like the AFC Asian Cup and World Cup qualifiers.
The Road Ahead
While the legal and administrative challenges remain complex — especially given the MYAS directive from 2008 — Chaubey’s announcement signals that the AIFF is willing to challenge the status quo in pursuit of sporting excellence.
The football fraternity now watches with cautious optimism, hoping that this proactive approach will soon bear fruit and finally give Indian football the international momentum it has long aspired to achieve.
