Renedy Singh Advocates for Football Culture Development in India

Renedy Singh, a former Indian footballer, highlights the necessity of developing a football culture in India to enhance the nation's chances of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup. Currently participating in the RFDL exposure tour in Japan, Singh discusses the challenges faced by Indian football, including recent performance struggles and the impact of the Indian Super League. He emphasizes the importance of foundational changes in schools and training facilities to foster a thriving football environment. As Bengaluru FC prepares for their next match against Sagan Tosu, Singh reflects on the tough competition posed by Japanese teams and the need for rigorous preparation.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 16, 2026, 20:39 IST

Building a Footballing Culture

Renedy Singh, a former Indian footballer and current youth coach at Bengaluru FC, emphasized the importance of fostering a 'footballing culture' in India. He believes this is essential for the nation to regain its status as a football powerhouse in Asia and to achieve its first-ever qualification for the FIFA World Cup.

RFDL Exposure Tour in Japan

Currently, Renedy is in Fukuoka, Japan, where his team is participating in the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) exposure tour. This event, running from July 11 to July 23, features the top three Indian clubs from the RFDL season 2025-26 competing against elite J-League teams. Bengaluru FC, FC Goa, and Punjab FC are proudly representing India in this prestigious tournament.

Creating a Footballing Foundation

In a conversation about India's football aspirations, Renedy pointed out the need for a foundational shift. He stated, 'To make progress, we must first establish a football culture. How many schools have proper football facilities? We need to prioritize this aspect, and the rest will follow naturally.'

India's Recent Football Challenges

Despite efforts from private organizations and the All India Football Federation (AIFF), qualifying for the FIFA World Cup remains a distant goal for India. The national team has not qualified for the 2027 Asian Cup and has only participated in five editions of the tournament, with their last appearance in 2023. Their performance has been lackluster, with only a runners-up finish in 1964 and subsequent group stage exits.

India's recent matches against other Asian teams, including Maldives, Tajikistan, and Bangladesh, have not yielded favorable results. In 2024, the team went 11 matches without a win, breaking this streak with a 3-0 victory over Maldives in March 2025. The following year, they managed three wins in 11 matches and secured a bronze at the CAFA Nations Cup, but overall performance remained disappointing.

Impact of the Indian Super League

The uncertainty surrounding the Indian Super League (ISL) has also affected players' livelihoods and the sport's growth. The latest season commenced in February, and while India started with a victory against Hong Kong, they faced defeats against Jamaica, Zimbabwe, and Tajikistan in subsequent matches.

Coaching Changes and Future Prospects

The inconsistent performance has led to frequent coaching changes, with Igor Stimac departing in 2024 and Manolo Marquez leaving after just one year. Khalid Jamil was appointed as the men's national team coach in August of last year.

Upcoming Matches in Japan

Following a 3-2 victory over Giravantz Kitakyushu in their opening match of the RFDL exposure tour, Bengaluru FC is set to face the Sagan Tosu under-18 team next. The team held a training session in preparation for this match.

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