Kuala Lumpur: India set their sights on qualifying for the 2026 World Cupas Praful Patel became their first representative on the powerful FIFACouncil on Saturday.
Patel, one of six Asian delegates elected to the Council at the AsianFootball Confederation Congress, said the World Cup was the next big stepfor India after making great strides in recent years.
India’s confidence has grown after a positive Asian Cup in January, wherethey returned to the tournament after eight years and were unlucky not toreach the second round.
“I personally feel that among all the countries in Asia there is atremendous goodwill for India, and (also) China should be much moreinvolved in the game and also the AFC and FIFA,” Patel said in Kuala Lumpur.
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“We should be putting our best efforts to make sure that the Indian teamqualifies in 2026 for the World Cup,” he added.
However, India are also searching for a new coach after Englishman StephenConstantine quit following their Asian Cup exit after a last-gasp defeat toBahrain.
