Indian football faced a challenging year marked by administrative issues, financial instability, and a lack of a domestic calendar, impacting on-field performance. The senior men's team saw declining standards, highlighted by a historic loss to Bangladesh. The Lionel Messi GOAT India Tour provided a brief public interest boost but did not resolve underlying structural problems, with initial mismanagement in Kolkata contrasting with smoother subsequent events. Despite some wins, overall results were disappointing, reflecting a difficult period for the sport.