India 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 capsDavid Laltlansanga (10)
Top scorerDavid Laltlansanga (8)
FIFA codeIND
FIFA ranking 133 2 (12 December 2025)[1]
Highest FIFA ranking135[2] (6 May 2024)
Home colours
Away colours
First international
 Bahrain 3–0 India 
(Isa Town, Bahrain; 12 August 2023)
Biggest win
 Mongolia 0–3 India 
(Ardiya, Kuwait; 24 September 2025)
Biggest defeat
 India 1–10 Australia 
(Ardiya, Kuwait; 22 September 2025)
FIFA World Cup
Appearances0
AFC Futsal Asian Cup
Appearances0
SAFF Futsal Championship
AppearancesTo play in 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]

Coaching staff

Following is the current coaching staff.[24]

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

Players

Following 14 players were named in the squad for the 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualification.[24]

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
5 1GK Vishal Dube (2000-01-04) 4 January 2000 Thlangtiang

3 2DF Aman Shah 3 0 Juggernaut
2DF Lalsangkima 3 0 Bhawanipore

12 3MF Bijoy Gusai 5 0 Goal Hunterz
3MF Anmol Adhikari Goal Hunterz
3MF K. Roluahpuia India
3MF Seaon D'Souza Golazo

7 4FW Nikhil Mali (captain) (1996-11-11) 11 November 1996 10 3 Bhawanipore
9 4FW David Laltlansanga (1999-11-15) 15 November 1999 10 8 Bhawanipore
4FW Fredsan Marshall (1994-12-26) 26 December 1994 Ambelim
4FW Jonathan Lalrawngbawla (1997-10-13) 13 October 1997 Thlangtiang
4FW Mahip Adhikari (1998-11-13) 13 November 1998 Goal Hunterz

Results and fixtures

2023

12 August 2023 (2023-08-12) Friendly Bahrain  3–0  India Isa Town, Bahrain
20:30 UTC+5:30
  • J. Saleh 19'
  • A. Saleh ??'
  • 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
  • Mukhallaf 4'
  • Maula 15'
  • Ali Myad 38'
  • 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
  • Umed 2'
  • Favazai 14', 35'
  • Muhamadjon 31'
Report
  • 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
  • Roluahpuia 11'
  • Laltlansanga 39'
Report
  • T.P. Aung 3'
  • M.T. Aung 13', 40'
  • 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
  • Harara 3'
  • Alsamahi 6'
  • Mohammed 20', 34'
  • Massriea 23'
Report
  • Laltlansanga 6', 16'
  • Mali 14', 16'
  • Roluahpuia 28'
Stadium: Dushanbe Indoor Hall

2025

13 September 2025 (2025-09-13) Friendly Lebanon  7–2  India Beirut, Lebanon
21:30 IST
  • Jaoude 5'
  • Maatouk 11', 29'
  • Koukezian 14', 27'
  • Hamouch 17'
  • Osman 36'
Report
  • D'Souza 31'
  • M. Adhikari 38'
Stadium: Al Sadaka Sporting Complex
15 September 2025 (2025-09-15) Friendly Lebanon  7–4  India Beirut, Lebanon
21:30 IST
  • Rhayem 1', 23'
  • Hamouch 3'
  • Koukezian 13'
  • Hamam 28'
  • Jaoude 29'
  • 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
  • Fadhel 10'
  • Sarraj 18'
  • Ajmi 27'
  • Basi 37'
Report
  • 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
  • D'Souza 15'
Report
  • Rogan 5', 32'
  • Kouta 5'
  • Sewell 11', 32'
  • Garner 17'
  • Guerreiro 18', 35'
  • Giovenali 20'
  • 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
  • D'Souza 17', 33'
  • A. Adhikari 35'
Stadium: Qushaian Al-Mutairi Hall

2026

14 January 2026 (2026-01-14) 2026 SAFF Championship India  Match 2  Bangladesh Bangkok, Thailand
15:00 IST Stadium: Nonthaburi Stadium
18 January 2026 (2026-01-18) 2026 SAFF Championship India  Match 7    Nepal Bangkok, Thailand
12:30 IST Stadium: Nonthaburi Stadium
20 January 2026 (2026-01-20) 2026 SAFF Championship Maldives  Match 11  India Bangkok, Thailand
15:00 IST Stadium: Nonthaburi Stadium
22 January 2026 (2026-01-22) 2026 SAFF Championship Bhutan  Match 15  India Bangkok, Thailand
17:30 IST Stadium: Nonthaburi Stadium
24 January 2026 (2026-01-24) 2026 SAFF Championship Sri Lanka  Match 18  India Bangkok, Thailand
17:30 IST Stadium: Nonthaburi Stadium
26 January 2026 (2026-01-26) 2026 SAFF Championship India  Match 21  Pakistan Bangkok, Thailand
17:30 IST Stadium: Nonthaburi Stadium

Competitive record

FIFA Futsal World Cup

FIFA Futsal World Cup record
Year Result Position Pld W T L GF GA
19892020 Did not exist
2024 Did not qualify
Total 0/0 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
19992022 Did not exist Did not exist
2024 Did not qualify 3 0 0 3 10 17
2026 3 1 0 2 5 14
Total 0/0 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 To be determined
Total 0/0 0 Title 0 0 0 0 0 0

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

Head-to-head record

As of 24 September 2025 vs  Mongolia

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
 Kuwait 1 0 0 1 1 4 −3 000.00
 Lebanon 2 0 0 2 6 14 −8 000.00
 Mongolia 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3 100.00
 Myanmar 1 0 0 1 2 5 −3 000.00
 Palestine 1 0 0 1 5 6 −1 000.00
 Tajikistan 1 0 0 1 3 6 −3 000.00
Total 10 1 0 9 21 52 −31 010.00

See also

Indian national football teams
Men's
Senior Futsal Beach soccer Under-23 Under-20 Under-17
Women's
Senior Futsal Under-20 Under-17

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. ^ a b "Indian men's futsal team to play two friendlies against Lebanon in Beirut". All India Football Federation. 12 September 2025. Retrieved 12 September 2025.