Vikash Dhorasoo Urges India to Build Pathway for World-Class Talent
Vikash Dhorasoo has urged Indian football to turn its vast player base and deep regional support into a credible route towards the elite game, arguing that a country of 1.4 billion people should be capable of producing more players of world-class standard. The former AC Milan midfielder is in Kolkata ahead of India’s exhibition match with Brazil, where he will also discuss youth development, coaching and women’s football with the All India Football Federation.
Key takeaways
- India are ranked 138th in the FIFA standings despite strong football followings in cities including Kolkata.
- Dhorasoo, a 2006 World Cup finalist of Indian origin, believes talented players can be found in India with better planning and coaching.
- He is scheduled to meet Brazil coach and former AC Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti during his Kolkata visit.
- The former midfielder wants to visit academies and meet India’s women’s team, where his own coaching work began.
- Khalid Jamil’s India will face five-time world champions Brazil on Saturday after missing out on qualification for the 24-team AFC Asian Cup.
Dhorasoo calls for long-term development plan
Dhorasoo described India’s current position in the world rankings as difficult to reconcile with the country’s football culture. He pointed particularly to Kolkata, one of India’s best-known football centres, as evidence that enthusiasm for the sport is already firmly established.
His message to the AIFF is that passion alone will not close the gap. Dhorasoo said sustained investment in youth structures, modern training methods and a clearer long-range vision would be required, while stressing that coaches must be central to the process rather than placing responsibility solely on young players.
Having reached the highest level in European football and been part of France’s run to the 2006 World Cup final, Dhorasoo believes his career demonstrates what players with Indian heritage can achieve. He said India should have no shortage of potential given its population, provided promising footballers are identified and developed properly.
His meetings with federation officials are expected to address academy reform and improved domestic coaching qualifications. Dhorasoo intends to inspect youth setups during the trip, arguing that the next generation will determine whether Indian football can become more competitive on the international stage.
Brazil test offers India a rare benchmark
India’s meeting with Brazil presents an unusually demanding occasion for Jamil’s squad. Brazil arrive with Ancelotti in charge and with the pedigree of five World Cup titles, while India come into the game after the setback of failing to reach the expanded 24-nation AFC Asian Cup.
Dhorasoo has encouraged India’s players to treat the 90 minutes as an opportunity rather than simply a mismatch. He believes the contest can show them the standards required at Brazil’s level, while also giving them a chance to test themselves against one of football’s most accomplished nations.
He said supposedly smaller teams can still find ways to trouble stronger opponents and expects Jamil to prepare his own approach to push Brazil as far as possible. For Dhorasoo, the fixture should be a celebration capable of drawing in children, parents and supporters, and perhaps becoming the beginning of a more hopeful chapter for the Indian game.
The Kolkata visit also includes a reunion with Ancelotti, who previously managed Dhorasoo at Milan. Yet Dhorasoo’s principal focus is on what may follow the Brazil match: practical changes in academies, stronger coaching pathways and wider opportunities for both boys’ and women’s football.
