Praful Patel, as the president of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and senior vice president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Indian elected to the FIFA Executive Council in April 2019. This election marked a significant moment for Indian football, as it represented the country’s growing influence and presence in the global football community.

Patel’s election to the FIFA Executive Council was a recognition of his contributions to the development and promotion of football in India and Asia. His leadership in AIFF saw efforts to improve the domestic football structure, including the launch and expansion of the Indian Super League (ISL), which aimed to professionalize and popularize the sport in India.

As a member of the FIFA Executive Council, Patel had the opportunity to contribute to the governance and strategic decisions of world football, further integrating India into the international football scene and opening avenues for greater involvement in global football development initiatives. His election was a testament to the progress Indian football has made and its aspirations for greater global participation.