In a season of transition and urgency, the Indian men’s football team is set to embark on an unexpected but potentially transformative journey at the CAFA Nations Cup 2025.
Invited to replace Malaysia after its withdrawal, India’s participation in this Central Asian tournament jointly hosted by Uzbekistan and Tajikistan from August 31 to September 8, 2025 comes at a critical moment: just weeks after a coaching change and ahead of must-win qualifiers for the AFC Asian Cup 2027.
Though the CAFA Nations Cup falls partially outside the official FIFA window, which may limit full-strength squads, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) sees the tournament as an invaluable opportunity: a platform to test new leadership, refine tactics, and gather momentum before tougher challenges this autumn. It is a pragmatic, perhaps even bold move accepting competitive matches over perfect preparation reflecting both the urgency and the ambition driving Indian football’s next chapter.
A Strategic Invitation: The Road to CAFA 2025
India’s entry into the CAFA Nations Cup, officially announced on July 30, 2025, followed Malaysia’s withdrawal earlier that month. Malaysia cited logistical difficulties and player availability issues, highlighting a persistent tension in global football: tournaments held outside FIFA’s mandatory release periods often struggle to secure top players, as clubs are not obligated to release them.
Yet, for India, the invitation presented an opportunity too significant to decline. The national team has been grappling with a run of poor results: a goalless draw against Bangladesh, a narrow defeat to Hong Kong China, and just one victory in eight matches under former coach Manolo Marquez. Against this backdrop, the CAFA Nations Cup became more than a friendly event: it turned into a proving ground for the next phase of Indian football.
India is drawn into Group B, alongside regional heavyweight Iran (FIFA rank 20), host Tajikistan (rank 106), and Afghanistan (rank 161). All group stage matches will take place at the Hisor Central Stadium in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The top two teams will advance to the playoffs on September 8, where group winners contest the final and runners-up play for third place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
A Coaching Reset: The End of the Marquez Era
The build-up to CAFA comes amid leadership change. Spanish coach Manolo Marquez, who had been balancing roles as India head coach and manager of FC Goa, parted ways with the AIFF on July 2, 2025, after disappointing results and growing criticism of his divided focus. Under Marquez, the national team struggled to score, winning only once in eight games.
The AIFF’s executive committee, learning from recent history—including the costly dismissal of Marquez’s predecessor Igor Stimac—has shifted policy: the new coach must now hold only one job, ensuring full commitment to the national team. It’s a strategic shift toward a more professional and accountable framework, reflecting lessons from past setbacks.
Who Next? The Search for a New Leader
After receiving 170 applications—including some humorous or inauthentic ones claiming to be “Pep Guardiola” and “Xavi Hernandez”—the AIFF shortlisted three names: Khalid Jamil, Stephen Constantine, and Stefan Tarkovic.
- Khalid Jamil: An Indian coach deeply rooted in domestic football, famous for guiding Aizawl FC to a historic I-League title and becoming the first Indian permanent head coach in the ISL with NorthEast United. Recently named AIFF Men’s Coach of the Year for two consecutive seasons, Jamil’s intimate understanding of Indian football culture and players makes him the reported frontrunner.
- Stephen Constantine: The Anglo-Cypriot coach who previously led India twice (2002–05, 2015–19), lifting the FIFA ranking from 176 to 96 and qualifying for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. His international experience and track record offer stability and quick results.
- Stefan Tarkovic: A Slovakian coach, though details of his experience in Asian or Indian football remain limited.
The AIFF’s final decision, expected by August 1, 2025, will shape not only the CAFA Nations Cup campaign but the broader trajectory toward the 2027 Asian Cup. A local appointment like Jamil could signal a move toward building a longer-term football identity rooted in Indian realities; choosing Constantine might reflect a desire for immediate stabilization and results.
Beyond an Invitation: Why CAFA Matters
Though India enters the CAFA Nations Cup as an invited guest, the tournament holds strategic weight. It comes just weeks before the next round of AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers in October, where India must recover from a poor start: bottom of Group B with just one point from two games.
With fixtures looming against Singapore (October 9 and 14), Bangladesh (November 18), and Hong Kong China (March 31, 2026), competitive rhythm and tactical clarity are urgently needed. The CAFA Nations Cup, even without guaranteed availability of top players, offers high-pressure, match-realistic preparation.
For the new coach, it will serve as an accelerated audition: a chance to test formations, evaluate players, and start building cohesion in a real tournament environment, rather than in friendlies or training camps.
The CAFA Nations Cup isn’t occurring in isolation; it intersects with significant shifts in India’s domestic football scene:
- The AIFF has proposed reducing the number of foreign players in ISL and I-League playing XIs, aiming to give Indian strikers and midfielders more match time—a direct response to recent scoring struggles.
- There’s uncertainty around the Indian Super League’s schedule, with the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) expiring. While AIFF leadership assures the league will run, details remain pending.
- These factors directly impact the national team’s player pool, fitness levels, and tactical familiarity.
By competing in CAFA, the new coach can begin integrating domestic-based players benefiting from these reforms and identify gaps before critical qualifiers.
Malaysia’s Withdrawal and India’s Gamble
Malaysia’s exit, prompted by player release challenges outside the FIFA window, illustrates a common tension in modern football: clubs’ reluctance to release players for unsanctioned tournaments versus national teams’ need for competitive fixtures.
India’s acceptance, despite knowing it may struggle to assemble a first-choice squad, shows the federation’s willingness to prioritize match experience over perfection. It’s a calculated risk: potential squad limitations balanced by the value of tournament exposure under new leadership.
For players on the fringes, CAFA also becomes a platform to impress the new coach, stake claims for starting roles, and show readiness for the bigger tests to come.
India’s participation in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 comes at a pivotal juncture. It’s the first test for a new coach yet to be formally appointed, a preparation stage for must-win Asian Cup qualifiers, and a chance to rebuild faith among fans and stakeholders after recent disappointments.
Beyond tactics and formations, CAFA will reveal whether India can adapt quickly under fresh leadership and use adversity a short prep window, possible player unavailability to spark a revival.
If successful, it could mark the start of a new era defined by pragmatism, local knowledge, and strategic risk-taking. Either way, the next few weeks promise to shape the story of Indian football for years to come.
