Jamshid Nassiri Advocates for India's Football Revival

Jamshid Nassiri, a prominent Iranian-Indian footballer, believes that India can reclaim its status in Asian football through strategic player development and international exposure. Reflecting on India's past successes, he emphasizes the need for nurturing young talent across various states. Nassiri advocates for regular international matches to enhance players' mental strength and readiness for major tournaments. He also praises the consistent performance of Asian nations like Iran, Japan, and South Korea, attributing their success to long-term planning. With fond memories of Guwahati, where he played competitively, Nassiri's insights provide a hopeful outlook for the future of Indian football.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 26, 2026, 11:23 IST

A Vision for Indian Football

A file image of Jamshid Nassiri. (Photo: 'X'/@futbolindio)

GUWAHATI, June 26: Jamshid Nassiri, a celebrated Iranian-Indian football figure, asserts that India possesses the potential to reclaim its status in Asian football, provided there is a commitment to long-term player development and consistent international exposure for young athletes.

Nassiri, who played for Iran’s Under-20 team before moving to India, reminisced about the time when India was a formidable force in Asian football during the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.

He reflected on the 1974 AFC Youth Championship final, where India and Iran ended in a 2-2 draw, expressing confidence that India can achieve similar success again.

“In those days, India was among the elite teams. Iran and India were on par,” Nassiri shared during a phone conversation from Kolkata.

“It is achievable and not out of reach. India is rich in talent. In a vast nation like India, you can discover skilled players in states like Bengal, Goa, Manipur, Meghalaya, Assam, and beyond. However, they require proper training and opportunities to compete internationally in Europe and Latin America to grasp higher competitive standards,” he emphasized.

The 67-year-old highlighted that regular international matches against stronger teams would enhance young players' mental resilience and readiness for significant tournaments.

“This is a common practice worldwide. It’s essential for player development and preparing them for greater challenges. Many Asian nations send their players to Europe and Latin America, which helps them gauge their abilities,” he noted.

Nassiri, who represented Iran’s Under-20 team at the 1977 FIFA World Youth Championship, moved to India in 1979 for studies at Aligarh Muslim University and never returned to Iran. He carved out a remarkable career with Kolkata clubs East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting, becoming one of the most revered foreign players in Indian football.

He is recognized as the first foreign player to net 100 goals in major tournaments in India.

Asian Football's Progress

Nassiri commended Iran's performance in the current FIFA World Cup and identified England, Spain, Brazil, France, and Germany as the top contenders for the semifinals.

He noted that Iran, Japan, and South Korea have consistently performed at a global level due to decades of strategic planning.

“I was part of Iran’s junior team during the 1977 Asia Cup in Tehran and later played in Saudi Arabia, where I observed many British coaches already laying the groundwork. Japan and South Korea have also reaped the benefits of their long-term strategies,” he explained.

Fond Memories of Guwahati

Nassiri cherishes his experiences in Guwahati, where he competed in the Bordoloi Trophy with East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting.

“Guwahati was a fantastic place to visit, filled with intense rivalries, and teams like Assam Police were quite competitive,” he reminisced.