Top 6 Most Famous Football Clubs In India
India's footballing scene has a rich heritage of clubs that have played a key role in popularizing the sport in the nation. The following are six of India's most famous football clubs:
1. Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Founded in 1889, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, of Kolkata, is one of the oldest football clubs in Asia. The club became a national sensation with its victory against the East Yorkshire Regiment in the 1911 IFA Shield final, where it emerged as the first-ever all-Indian team to win against a British team. It merged with ATK in 2020 to give birth to ATK Mohun Bagan, only to be renamed Mohun Bagan Super Giant in 2023.
2. East Bengal FC
Founded in 1920, East Bengal FC is another age-old Kolkata team. The club has a large trophy cabinet with numerous titles in its kitty from as many as a few National Football League championships to Federation Cups. The East Bengal-Mohun Bagan Kolkata Derby ranks among the Indian football's most prestigious fixtures.
3. Bengaluru FC
Formed in 2013, Bengaluru FC has risen to fame in Indian football at lightning speed. Founded in Bengaluru, Karnataka, the club has won two I-League titles, two Federation Cups, an ISL title, and a Super Cup, placing it among the most successful teams of recent times. The club's professional ethos and large supporter base have set new benchmarks for Indian football.
4. Kerala Blasters FC
Founded in 2014, Kerala Blasters FC is based in Kochi, Kerala. Although they have not won an ISL title, the team has been runners-up three times and is famous for its ardent fan community, the "Manjappada" or "Yellow Army."The Blasters' matches are renowned for the charged atmosphere, a reflection of Kerala's vibrant football culture.
5. Mumbai City FC
Formed in 2014, Mumbai City FC has established itself as a team to be reckoned with in the ISL. In the 2020-21 season, with Sergio Lobera at the helm, the side won a historic double by taking home the League Winners Shield and the ISL Cup. The team is owned by the City Football Group, which makes it one with clubs across the world such as Manchester City.
6. FC Goa
FC Goa, founded in 2014, is a side that plays attractive football and has been one of the perennial contenders in the ISL. FC Goa won the ISL League Winners Shield during the 2019-20 season and also became the first Indian club to reach the group stage of the AFC Champions League. FC Goa's emphasis on youth development has made it one of the prime movers in Indian football's evolution.
These clubs not only succeeded on the pitch but were also instrumental in making football go mainstream throughout India, inspiring younger generations of fans and players alike.
