All India Football Federation (AIFF)

The All India Football Federation is the national governing body for football in India. It oversees the men's, women's, and youth game, runs the country's national teams and club competitions, and sets the rules, refereeing, and coaching standards that the sport follows nationwide. Founded in 1937, the federation is affiliated to FIFA and is a founding member of the Asian Football Confederation, and it works within the South Asian Football Federation. It coordinates a network of state football associations and accredited academies, and its remit reaches from grassroots participation to the senior national teams. Youth development sits at the centre of its mission to build the game from the ground up. Through age-group youth leagues, academy accreditation, coaching and referee education, and a centralised player registration system, it aims to widen access, raise standards, and create a clear pathway for young players to reach the professional and international level.