Asian Games 2026: Indian Football Team Faces Uphill Battle for Government Approval

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on Wednesday, 24 September notified that only athletes with a "real chance of winning medals" will be allowed to participate in the Asian Games 2026 and other multi-disciplinary events. The sports ministry, in a 5-page press release, has clarified that individual athletes who are top 6 ranked in Asia, and teams who are ranked in the top 8 will be allowed to take part in competitions.

The sports ministry further laid out the selection criteria in a detailed document on its website, stating that the selection system will focus on continental rankings. The tough selection criteria will make it difficult for the Indian football team to participate in the competition, as it is currently placed 24th at the Asian level. India is currently ranked 134th in the world.

The document further stated that personal coaches (unless approved by the government) will be barred from the Asian Games even if they are not being charged to the government.

"The aim is to ensure that the athletes who have a real chance of winning medals are only considered for participation in multidisciplinary sports events," stated the ministry, tightening the process that has been criticised in the past.

"If it comes to the notice of the Ministry and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) that the aim is just for participation and not aiming for excellence (medal winning), names of such sportspersons and teams will not be approved after giving proper justification," it stated.

"Only those sportspersons, coaches and support staff will be part of the contingent, whose names have been cleared at cost to the government, and no additional sportspersons, coaches and support staff will be included even at no cost to the government," it added, addressing an often contentious issue that arises when athletes demand their personal coaches and support staff at personal cost.

The selection criteria would also cover the Commonwealth Games (July-August 2026), Para Asian Games, Asian Indoor Games, Asian Beach Games, Youth Olympics, Asian Youth Games, and the Commonwealth Youth Games. Performances of the past 12 months will form the basis of selection.

However, the new policy excludes the Olympics and other such international competitions where athlete or team participation is determined by qualification standards set by the respective international federations.

"The NSF (National Sports Federation) will be eligible to nominate an athlete if the athlete has matched or bettered the 6th-place performance from the last Asian Games at a competition recognised by the international sports federation for that sport, held within the 12 months preceding the upcoming Asian Games," it stated.

For events that were not contested at the last Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, the criteria would be a top-six finish at the Senior Asian Championships of that discipline event "within 12 months preceding the upcoming Asian Games."

Who Qualifies for Asian Games? Detailed Breakdown

Giving details, the ministry said that in case an Asian Championship features less than six teams, the Indians will have to be in the top two to be eligible for Asian Games selection. For continental competitions which feature six to 12 teams, the Indians will have to be inside the top four to have a shot at selection.

"Sports where Asian Championships are held biennially, and no edition has taken place in the last 12 months but was conducted within the preceding 24 months, the most recent edition within that 24-month window will be considered.

"Asian Championships conducted beyond 24 months from the date of the Asian Games shall not be considered for eligibility purposes," it said.

For team sports, the placement among Asian nations will be derived from the latest global rankings.

The ministry said the new guidelines have been formulated with a view to lay down a "transparent and equitable framework."

The criteria has a relaxation clause authorising the Ministry to recommend participants who do not meet the laid down criteria based on "opinion of experts in specific sports or SAI."

India had recorded their best-ever Asiad performance in the Hangzhou Games in 2023, clinching 106 medals, including 28 gold.