India national futsal team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see India women's national futsal team.

India
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Futsal Tigers
AssociationAll India Football Federation
ConfederationAFC (Asia)
SAFF (South Asia)
Head coachReza Kordi
CaptainNikhil Mali
Most capsNikhil Mali (16)
Top scorerNikhil Mali (9)
FIFA codeIND
FIFA ranking 133 2 (12 December 2025)[1]
Highest FIFA ranking133[2] (12 December 2025)
Lowest FIFA ranking135 (6 May 2024)
Home colours
Away colours
First international
 Bahrain 3–0 India 
(Isa Town, Bahrain; 12 August 2023)
Biggest win
 Bhutan 3–11 India 
(Bangkok, Thailand; 22 January 2026)
Biggest defeat
 India 1–10 Australia 
(Ardiya, Kuwait; 22 September 2025)
FIFA World Cup
Appearances0
AFC Futsal Asian Cup
Appearances0
SAFF Futsal Championship
Appearances1 (First in 2026)
Best result2nd (2026)

The India national futsal team represents India in international futsal competitions. The team is controlled by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) under the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

India made its debut against Bahrain in an international friendly on 12 August 2023, losing 3–0. The 2024 AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualification was their first international competition which was held in October 2023.

History

Formation, debut and first tournament

On 10 December 2019, the then AIFF Executive Committee decided that a futsal club competition would be part of their calendar from 2020–21 season onwards.[3] The club championship, that was conceptualized in 2019, was held for the first time in November 2021 and followed by the second edition in February 2023.[4][5] Based on the performance of the players in Futsal Club Championship, AIFF scouts selected a 31 members squad for the national team camp for creating the India national futsal team.[6][7] Victor Hermans as futsal advisor in May 2023, and Joshuah Vaz as head coach in July 2023, were appointed to guide the team for India's first participation in major tournament, the qualification competition for the 2024 AFC Futsal Asian Cup.[8][9]

In August 2023, the AIFF announced that India would play two international friendlies against Bahrain as a preparation for the AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualification. A fourteen-member squad of the first ever India national team was announced.[10] The team made its debut in a 3–0 loss against Bahrain at Khalifa Sports City Hall in Isa Town on 12 August 2023.[11] In the second match on 14 August, India was defeated again by Bahrain with a bigger scoreline of 4–0.[12]

India was drawn in Group E of the Asian Cup qualification where they faced Tajikistan, Myanmar and Palestine, from 2 to 13 October 2023.[10] In the first match against Tajikistan, India lost 3–6 to the host. David Laltlansanga scored all the goals, thus becoming the first ever goalscorer, as well as scoring the first ever hat-trick for the national team.[13] India again suffered loss in the next two matches, 2–5 to Myanmar and 5–6 to Palestine, thus failing to qualify for the 2024 AFC Futsal Asian Cup. K. Roluahpuia and Nikhil Mali scored twice each, while Laltlansanga scored six goals in this qualifying edition.[14][15]

2025–present

In March 2025, the AIFF announced that India will be participating in the 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualification.[16] India was drawn in Group A along with Kuwait, Australia and Mongolia.[17] Iranian Reza Kordi was appointed head coach of the national team.[18] As a preparation for the qualifiers, India played two international friendlies against Lebanon, both of which they lost.[19][20] In the qualifiers, India lost the first match against Kuwait by 1–4; in the second match against Australia on 22 September 2025, India registered its worst defeat of 1–10.[21][22] However, in the third match India finally registered its first ever win, a 3–0 victory against Mongolia. With just 3 points, India failed to qualify for the 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup.[23]

In May 2025, at the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Congress in Kathmandu, it was proposed that a SAFF Futsal Championship would be held annually. On 5 October 2025, SAFF announced that the first ever SAFF Futsal Championship for both men and women would be held from 13 to 26 January 2026, in Thailand.[24][25] The tournament was in round-robin format.[26] With 3 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss, India finished as runners-up. Out of the 3 wins, India's 11–3 victory against Bhutan is their biggest ever win.[27][28]

Coaching staff

Following is the current coaching staff.[29]

Position Name
Head coach Reza Kordi
Assistant coach Hassan Khodabandehloo bin Abolfazl
Goalkeeping coach Veerababu Sivaneni

Players

Current squad

Following 14 players were named in the squad for the 2026 SAFF Futsal Championship.[26]

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Aleef Rahman Mollah (2001-04-18) 18 April 2001 Goal Hunterz
2 1GK Ozen Vivian Silva Ambelim
2DF Lalsangkima 3 0 Bhawanipore
2DF Lalsawmpuia 0 0 India
3MF Anmol Adhikari Goal Hunterz
3MF K. Roluahpuia India
3MF Seaon D'Souza Golazo
7 3MF Nikhil Mali (captain) (1996-11-11) 11 November 1996 16 9 Bhawanipore
3MF H. Lalrinzuala India
3MF Vincent Laltluangzela India
4FW Hafis A. M. India
4FW Jonathan Lalrawngbawla India
4FW Palash Barber India
4FW Tijo Job India

Recent callups

The following footballers were part of national selection in the past twelve months, but are not part of the current call-up.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Vishal Dube (2000-01-04) 4 January 2000 Thlangtiang vs  Mongolia, September 2025
DF Aman Shah 3 0 Juggernaut vs  Mongolia, September 2025
MF Bijoy Gusai 5 0 Goal Hunterz vs  Mongolia, September 2025
FW David Laltlansanga (1999-11-15) 15 November 1999 10 8 Bhawanipore vs  Mongolia, September 2025
FW Fredsan Marshall (1994-12-26) 26 December 1994 Ambelim vs  Mongolia, September 2025
FW Jonathan Lalrawngbawla (1997-10-13) 13 October 1997 Thlangtiang vs  Mongolia, September 2025
FW Mahip Adhikari (1998-11-13) 13 November 1998 Goal Hunterz vs  Mongolia, September 2025

Results and fixtures

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023

12 August 2023 (2023-08-12) Friendly Bahrain  3–0  India Isa Town, Bahrain
20:30 UTC+5:30
  • Jassam Saleh 19'
  • Ali Saleh
  • Mohamed Al-Sandi
Report Stadium: Khalifa Sports City Stadium
14 August 2023 (2023-08-14) Friendly Bahrain  4–0  India Isa Town, Bahrain
20:30 UTC+5:30
  • Saleh Ahmed Mukhallaf 4'
  • Salman Maula 15'
  • Ammar Hasan Ali Myhad 38'
  • Nikhil Mali 38' (o.g.)
 Report Stadium: Khalifa Sports City Stadium
7 October 2023 (2023-10-07) 2024 AFC Futsal Qual Tajikistan  6–3  India Dushanbe, Tajikistan
19:30 UTC+5:30
  • Kuziev Umed 2'
  • Sardorov Favazai 14', 35'
  • Sharipov Muhamadjon 31'
 Report
  • David Laltlansanga 6', 14', 17'
 Stadium: Dushanbe Indoor Hall
9 October 2023 (2023-10-09) 2024 AFC Futsal Qual India  2–5  Myanmar Dushanbe, Tajikistan
16:30 UTC+5:30
  • K. Roluahpuia 11'
  • David Laltlansanga 39'
 Report
  • T.P. Aung 3'
  • M.T. Aung 13', 40'
  • David Laltlansanga 19' (o.g.)
  • H.M. Tun 40'
 Stadium: Dushanbe Indoor Hall
11 October 2023 (2023-10-11) 2024 AFC Futsal Qual Palestine  6–5  India Dushanbe, Tajikistan
16:30 UTC+5:30
  • Mousa Harara 3'
  • Zaher Alsamahi 6'
  • Ahmed Mohammed 20', 34'
  • Ahmad Massriea 23'
 Report
  • David Laltlansanga 6', 16'
  • Mali 14', 16'
  • K. Roluahpuia 28'
 Stadium: Dushanbe Indoor Hall

2025

13 September 2025 (2025-09-13) Friendly Lebanon  7–2  India Beirut, Lebanon
21:30 IST
  • Mario Abou Jaoude 5'
  • Hassan Maatouk 11', 29'
  • Steve Koukezian 14', 27'
  • Majd Hamouch 17'
  • Mohamad Osman 36'
 Report
  • Seaon D'Souza 31'
  • Mahip Adhikari 38'
 Stadium: Al Sadaka Sporting Complex
15 September 2025 (2025-09-15) Friendly Lebanon  7–4  India Beirut, Lebanon
21:30 IST
  • Mustafa Rhayem 1', 23'
  • Majd Hamouch 3'
  • Steve Koukezian 13'
  • Ali Hamam 28'
  • Mario Abou Jaoude 29'
  • Mohamad Kobeissi 38'
 Report
Stadium: Al Sadaka Sporting Complex
20 September 2025 (2025-09-20) 2026 AFC Futsal Qual Kuwait  4–1  India Ardiya, Kuwait
22:30 IST
  • Saleh Al Fadhel 10'
  • Abdulaziz AlSarraj 18'
  • Mohammed Al Ajmi 27'
  • Abduellteif Al Basi 37'
 Report
  • David Laltlansanga 9'
 Stadium: Qushaian Al-Mutairi Hall
22 September 2025 (2025-09-22) 2026 AFC Futsal Qual India  1–10  Australia Ardiya, Kuwait
18:30 IST
  • Seaon D'Souza 15'
 Report
  • Scott Rogan 5', 32'
  • Michael Kouta 5'
  • Corey Sewell 11', 32'
  • Tyler Garner 17'
  • Jordan Guerreiro 18', 35'
  • Wayde Giovenali 20'
  • Ethan De Melo 21'
 Stadium: Qushaian Al-Mutairi Hall
24 September 2025 (2025-09-24) 2026 AFC Futsal Qual Mongolia  0–3  India Ardiya, Kuwait
18:30 IST Report
  • Seaon D'Souza 17', 33'
  • Anmol Adhikari 35'
 Stadium: Qushaian Al-Mutairi Hall

2026

14 January 2026 (2026-01-14) 2026 SAFF Championship India  4–4  Bangladesh Bangkok, Thailand
15:00 IST
  • Anmol Adhikari 12'
  • Lalsawmpuia 20'
  • K Roluahpuia 27', 36'
 Report
Stadium: Nonthaburi Stadium, Bangkok
Attendance: 70
Referee: Chris Sinclair (England)
18 January 2026 (2026-01-18) 2026 SAFF Championship India  3–3    Nepal Bangkok, Thailand
12:30 IST
  • Laltluangzela 6'
  • Anmol Adhikari 39'
  • Nikhil Rajendra Mali 40'
 Report
  • Bikrant Narsing Rana 5'
  • Amit Lama 25'
  • Bijay Shrestha 40'
 Stadium: Nonthaburi Stadium
Attendance: 56
Referee: Ali Ahmadi (Iran)
20 January 2026 (2026-01-20) 2026 SAFF Championship Maldives  5–0  India Bangkok, Thailand
15:00 IST
Report Stadium: Nonthaburi Stadium
Attendance: 50
Referee: Ali Hafizi (Iran)
22 January 2026 (2026-01-22) 2026 SAFF Championship Bhutan  3–11  India Bangkok, Thailand
17:30 IST
Report
  • Jonathan Lalrawngbawla 4'
  • Jignam Seltob Dorji 6' (o.g.)
  • Laltluangzela 9', 39'
  • Lalsawmpuia 15'
  • Anmol Adhikari 17', 32'
  • Seon D'Souza 34'
  • Nikhil Mali 40', 40', 40'
 Stadium: Nonthaburi Stadium
Attendance: 50
Referee: Mohammad Javed Ehtesham (Iran)
24 January 2026 (2026-01-24) 2026 SAFF Championship Sri Lanka  1–4  India Bangkok, Thailand
17:30 IST Mohamed Kursheeth 19' Report
Stadium: Nonthaburi Stadium
Attendance: 19
Referee: Chonlakan Luangsa-Ard (Thailand)
26 January 2026 (2026-01-26) 2026 SAFF Championship India  4–1  Pakistan Bangkok, Thailand
17:30 IST
Report
  • Ali Agha 19'
 Stadium: Nonthaburi Stadium
Attendance: 135
Referee: Chris Sinclair (New Zealand)

Competitive record

FIFA Futsal World Cup

FIFA Futsal World Cup record
Year Result Position Pld W T L GF GA
1989–2020 Did not exist
2024 Did not qualify
Total 0/10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

AFC Futsal Asian Cup

AFC Futsal Asian Cup record Qualification record
Year Result Position Pld W T L GF GA Pld W T L GF GA
1999–2022 Did not exist Did not exist
2024 Did not qualify 3 0 0 3 10 17
2026 3 1 0 2 5 14
Total 0/18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 1 0 5 15 31

SAFF Futsal Championship

SAFF Futsal Championship records
Host/Year Round Position GP W D L GF GA
2026 Runners-up 2nd 6 3 2 1 26 17
Total Runners-up 2nd 6 3 2 1 26 17

Overall competitive record

As of 24 September 2025 (excluding friendlies & minor tournaments)
Competition Pld W D L GF GA GD Win%
AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualification 6 1 0 5 15 31 −16 016.67
SAFF Futsal Championship 6 3 2 1 26 17 +9 050.00
Total 12 4 2 6 41 48 −7 033.33

Head-to-head record

As of 26 January 2025 vs  Pakistan

The following table shows India's head-to-head records. (includes all matches)

  Positive record
  Neutral record
  Negative record

Opponent Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
 Australia 1 0 0 1 1 10 −9 000.00
 Bahrain 2 0 0 2 0 7 −7 000.00
 Bangladesh 1 0 1 0 4 4 +0 000.00
 Bhutan 1 1 0 0 11 3 +8 100.00
 Kuwait 1 0 0 1 1 4 −3 000.00
 Lebanon 2 0 0 2 6 14 −8 000.00
 Maldives 1 0 0 1 0 5 −5 000.00
 Mongolia 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3 100.00
 Myanmar 1 0 0 1 2 5 −3 000.00
   Nepal 1 0 1 0 3 3 +0 000.00
 Pakistan 1 1 0 0 4 1 +3 100.00
 Palestine 1 0 0 1 5 6 −1 000.00
 Sri Lanka 1 1 0 0 4 1 +3 100.00
 Tajikistan 1 0 0 1 3 6 −3 000.00
Total 16 4 2 10 47 69 −22 025.00

See also

References

  1. ^ "The FIFA Futsal Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 12 December 2025. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
  2. ^ FIFA Men's Futsal Ranking
  3. ^ "Futsal club championship to kick-off from 2020 season". the-aiff.com. 13 December 2019. Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  4. ^ "Inaugural edition of Futsal Championship to kick-off in New Delhi on November 5". Asian News International. 14 October 2021. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  5. ^ "Hero Futsal Club Championship 2022-23". the-aiff.com. Archived from the original on 1 February 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  6. ^ "Federation names 31 probables for National Futsal camp". the-aiff.com. 30 April 2023. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  7. ^ Ghosh, Soumo (9 August 2023). "A new beginning: Coach Joshuah Vaz and boys look to 'punch above the weight' in international futsal". the-aiff.com. Archived from the original on 11 August 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  8. ^ "Joshua appointed AIFF's Futsal head coach for AFC Asian Cup". Herald Goa. 8 July 2023. Archived from the original on 9 July 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  9. ^ Rawat, Akhil (20 February 2023). "Boost for futsal in India as Dutch legend Vic Hermans joins as consultant". the-aiff.com. Archived from the original on 9 May 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  10. ^ a b "Indian Futsal Team to make international debut against Bahrain". the-aiff.com. 6 August 2023. Archived from the original on 7 August 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  11. ^ "India go down to Bahrain on international futsal debut". the-aiff.com. 12 August 2023. Archived from the original on 14 August 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  12. ^ "India lose second international futsal friendly against Bahrain". the-aiff.com. 14 August 2023. Archived from the original on 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  13. ^ "India bow to experienced Tajikistan despite David's deliveries". www.the-aiff.com. 7 October 2023. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  14. ^ "Fighting India beaten by Myanmar, suffer second successive AFC Futsal Asian Cup Qualifiers loss". www.the-aiff.com. 9 October 2023. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  15. ^ "India go down to Palestine in a futsal cliff-hanger". www.the-aiff.com. 11 October 2023. Archived from the original on 13 October 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  16. ^ "AIFF Futsal Committee proposes men's and women's club championships in June". All India Football Federation. 25 March 2025. Archived from the original on 18 September 2025. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  17. ^ "India draw Kuwait, Australia, Mongolia in AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers". All India Football Federation. 26 June 2025. Archived from the original on 18 September 2025. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  18. ^ "India has great potential, says futsal men's national team head coach Reza Kordi". All India Football Federation. 2 September 2025. Archived from the original on 18 September 2025. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  19. ^ "Indian men's futsal team suffer defeat against Lebanon in preparatory friendly". All India Football Federation. 13 September 2025. Archived from the original on 16 September 2025. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  20. ^ "Futsal Tigers suffer second friendly defeat against Lebanon". All India Football Federation. 16 September 2025. Archived from the original on 18 September 2025. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  21. ^ "Futsal Tigers lose lead and match against Kuwait in Asian Cup Qualifiers". All India Football Federation. 20 September 2025. Archived from the original on 21 September 2025. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  22. ^ "Futsal Tigers suffer drubbing at the hands of Australia". All India Football Federation. 22 September 2025. Archived from the original on 24 September 2025. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  23. ^ "India trounce Mongolia to get historic first win on futsal court". All India Football Federation. 24 September 2025. Archived from the original on 24 September 2025. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  24. ^ "SAFF charts ambitious roadmap to uplift regional football". The Kathmandu Post. 25 May 2025. Archived from the original on 25 May 2025. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  25. ^ "SAFF to Launch Inaugural Futsal Championship in January 2026". South Asian Football Federation. 5 October 2025. Archived from the original on 6 October 2025. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  26. ^ a b "Indian squads for SAFF Men's and Women's Futsal Championships announced". All India Football Federation. 7 January 2026. Archived from the original on 23 January 2026. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  27. ^ "India thrash Pakistan to clinch silver in SAFF Futsal Championship 2026". All India Football Federation. 26 January 2026. Archived from the original on 26 January 2026. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  28. ^ "SAFF Futsal Championship 2026, India vs Bhutan" (PDF). South Asian Football Federation. 22 January 2026. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 January 2026. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  29. ^ "Indian men's futsal team to play two friendlies against Lebanon in Beirut". All India Football Federation. 12 September 2025. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
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