India has seen a considerable growth in football fans in recent times, but does it really help Indian football? Probably not. The reason is that, indeed, there are lakhs of football fans in India, but these fans follow and support European football teams. So, what's stopping India from becoming a football superpower? Starting with one of the major reasons, the love for cricket in India, cricket is the most popular sport in India, with crores of fans rooting for the national side to win. The Cricket World Cup in India is like a national festival. After India won the 1983 World Cup, it became the most popular sport in India. This love for cricket has very much impacted the growth of football in the country. People hardly know their national football team players but remember the complete squads of the national cricket team. There is no IPL equivalent of football, and this is because there is no such craze for football that would garner crores of views and numerous sponsorships. The funds allocated to the football federation are around 4-5 crores, whereas the amount jumps to 35-36 crores when it comes to cricket. Football has suffered from bad administration, low funds, and whatnot. Countries like Brazil do not have a lot to offer their countrymen; they struggle economically but still keep on producing talents that become global superstars. This is because they have a structure. One might start playing in a favela, but there is a structure through which you can reach the highest levels. Small tournaments are scouted by national clubs, which pick talents from the grassroots and refine them. India lacks such a structure; there is no such care and pampering for talents. This just adds to the already messed-up condition of Indian football. Football culture is still far from a reality in India. Football ultras are very common in Europe or South America, but India has not yet been introduced to that idea. Fans singing club anthems together and participating in chants, flairs, flags, and tifos are not common in India. In certain parts of India, there indeed is a football culture, but it has always been there; the problem is that it is not attracting other regions. The rivalry between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal is one of the fiercest rivalries in all of Asia; it has a lot in common with the El Clasico, the greatest rivalry in world football. Both of these rivalries are driven by political factors and cultural differences. Barcelona and Real Madrid have a long history of political struggle, and the rivalry between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal is also due to political influences. While El Clasico is a global event, the other rivalry is just an event for West Bengal. India has failed to serve its greatest rivalry to the world. A country with a population of 130 million that fails to stage 11 players who can lead the nation to glory is hard to comprehend, but we cannot ignore the fact that India is a developing country that is still trying to come out of the disaster caused by their colonial masters. There is a glimmer of hope. The Hero ISL has provided a platform for everything Indian football lacks; clubs like Kerala Blasters have a very European-like fanbase and a very good team. The restructuring of AIFF is also a step towards creating a better football environment in India. The dream of India playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is still not realistic, but recent positive developments have given us the license to dream for the 2030 World Cup. Let's just hope that one day the world will have the pleasure of listening to our national anthem and acknowledging the country that deserves more.