Indian football team finally receives GPS equipment after over 200 days; now lacks analyst & psychologist

India were the only squad in the AFC Asian Cup 2023 that competed without GPS vests.

Despite the All India Football Federation (AIFF) spending approximately Rs 92 lakhs annually on meetings, it took over 200 days to replace the GPS vests, which are valued at around Rs 45 lakhs. The team’s GPS vests were lost following their knockout match against Saudi Arabia during the 2023 Asian Games.

Consequently, India played nine international matches without this crucial equipment, including three in the AFC Asian Cup 2023 and four FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers. During the AFC Asian Cup in January 2024, India were the only one of the 24 teams to play without GPS vests, putting the coaching staff at a significant disadvantage in preparing the team.

An AIFF official told the Hindustan Times after the Asian Cup, “Four airlines were involved, and despite numerous letters, we have had no success in retrieving the equipment worth nearly Rs 45 lakh. We have now ordered new GPS vests.”

Despite this setback, the Indian football team played two more matches in March 2024. Finally, during their preparation camp for the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Kuwait and Qatar in Bhubaneswar, the coaching staff received the new GPS vests. Currently, the Indian team is second in Group A of the joint Round 2 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, behind Qatar.

The Blue Tigers need to defeat Kuwait to advance to Round 3 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers. If Igor Stimac’s side manages to win against Kuwait on June 6, they will make history by becoming the first Indian team to reach Round 3.

However, preparations are still not ideal, as the team is without a dedicated analyst and sports psychologist. Previously, an analyst from FC Goa’s coaching staff would join the team on a camp basis, a unique arrangement compared to other Asian countries that employ full-time coaching staff. Indian coaching staff members are currently paid based on their participation in camps.

A source close to the situation told Khel Now, “The team has finally received the GPS vests after seven months, but now they are camping without a team analyst and sports psychologist, which has hindered preparations for these crucial matches.”

Latest news from the Indian Football Team camp

The coaching staff faced another setback when Brandon Fernandes was injured during training, adding to the nine players already ruled out due to injury and other issues. Fortunately, initial scans did not reveal anything serious, and the team will conduct another scan after a two-day rehabilitation period.

Moreover, the national team has faced another blow as skipper Sunil Chhetri has announced his retirement from international football. He will be playing his ultimate game against Kuwait at the Salt Lake Stadium.

Fans of the Indian football team are hopeful that the AIFF will resolve these issues before the important matches against Kuwait and Qatar.

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