The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has officially appointed Khalid Jamil as the head coach of the Indian Senior Men’s National Football Team on a two-year contract, with an option to extend for another year.
The move marks a historic shift in Indian football Jamil is the first Indian to take permanent charge of the men’s side since Savio Medeira in 2012, ending 13 years of reliance on foreign coaches. Jamil will officially assume duties on August 15, 2025, at the Dravid-Padukone Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru, where the first training camp will be held. The list of probables for the camp will be announced soon.
The appointment comes at a difficult moment for Indian football. The team has slipped to 133rd in the FIFA rankings, its lowest position in nine years, and is enduring a prolonged winless run, including a 2-0 loss to Thailand in June and three consecutive games without scoring.
AIFF’s decision is as much about practicality as it is about vision. Jamil’s familiarity with the domestic football system, his record of building resilient, competitive teams on limited resources, and financial considerations within the federation made him the preferred choice. Under his leadership, the hope is to blend defensive discipline with tactical clarity traits missing in recent years.
Jamil’s career includes a fairytale I-League title with Aizawl FC in 2016–17, as well as strong playoff runs with NorthEast United FC and Jamshedpur FC in the ISL. Twice named AIFF Men’s Coach of the Year (2023–24 and 2024–25), he is known for his pragmatic, defensively solid setups, efficient counter-attacks, and set-piece proficiency. Tactically, Jamil favors compact formations like 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1, designed to deny space, frustrate opponents, and hit quickly in transition. His understanding of Indian players’ physical and mental attributes could prove invaluable in fostering quick adaptation.
First Test: CAFA Nations Cup 2025
Jamil’s debut tournament will be the CAFA Nations Cup in Tajikistan from August 29 to September 4. India is placed in Group B alongside:
•Tajikistan (Aug 29) – FIFA Rank 110
•IR Iran (Sep 1) – FIFA Rank 22
•Afghanistan (Sep 4) – FIFA Rank 157
While the event is framed as preparation, the competitive level will be high, with defending champions Iran posing a formidable challenge. The tournament offers Jamil a platform to experiment with lineups, assess fitness levels, and build chemistry before crucial qualifiers.
The bigger tests arrive in October during the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, where India sits bottom of Group C with one point after two matches. The doubleheader against Singapore October 9 (home) and October 14 (away) will be make-or-break. With only group winners advancing, six points from these fixtures are essential to revive qualification hopes.
Remaining fixtures include:
•Nov 18, 2025: Bangladesh vs India (away)
•Mar 31, 2026: India vs Hong Kong (home)
Jamil must not only solidify the defence but also fix India’s chronic goal-scoring problem — a key area that has plagued the team in recent years.
Challenges Ahead
- Goal Drought: Addressing India’s lack of goals is the top priority.
- Time Pressure: Limited preparation before competitive action.
- Player Fitness: Some ISL clubs have yet to start pre-season.
- Public Expectation: As the first Indian coach in over a decade, Jamil’s tenure will be closely scrutinized.
Beyond immediate results, Jamil’s appointment signals AIFF’s intent to develop an “Indian football identity” rooted in local strengths. If successful, he could inspire a new generation of domestic coaches and establish a sustainable model for the national team. Khalid Jamil’s first months in charge will be decisive.
Strong performances in the CAFA Nations Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers could reignite belief in the Blue Tigers and validate AIFF’s faith in an Indian coach. Failure, however, could reopen the debate over foreign vs. domestic leadership. For now, all eyes are on August 15 in Bengaluru, where a new chapter for Indian football begins.
