India is the national football team of the Republic of India, governed by the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Known as the "Blue Tigers," the team represents a cricket-mad nation where football has a deeply rooted and passionate following in specific regions like West Bengal, Kerala, and the Northeast. Based in New Delhi, the team's home matches are often played at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata or the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. India's golden era was in the 1950s and 60s, highlighted by a gold medal at the 1951 Asian Games and a fourth-place finish in the 1956 Olympics. The modern era has seen gradual growth, with a famous victory in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup leading to qualification for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. Under coaches like Igor Štimac, there is an emphasis on developing a more possession-oriented style. With the advent of the Indian Super League, the talent pool is expanding. The Blue Tigers carry the weight of history and the dreams of a billion-plus people as they strive to rise in Asian football.