As the FIFA World Cup 2026 captures the imagination of football fans worldwide, Indian sports brand Vector X has launched its latest campaign, ‘Har Game Ke Liye Ready’, celebrating the people, communities and cultures that are shaping football’s growth across India.

Rather than focusing solely on elite athletes and professional competitions, the campaign highlights grassroots players, local maidans, football freestylers, creators and community-driven initiatives that continue to fuel the sport’s popularity.

With football participation steadily growing across the country, Vector X believes the future of Indian football lies in accessibility, inclusion and sustained grassroots engagement.

In this exclusive interaction with myKhel, Vikas Gupta ,the Managing Director of Vector X, discusses the inspiration behind the campaign, the changing football landscape in India, the importance of emerging football sub-cultures and the brand’s long-term vision for nurturing the sport. Here are the excerpts:

Q: The campaign launches during the FIFA World Cup, a time when football captures global attention. Why was this the right moment for Vector X to tell stories rooted in Indian football culture?

Vector X: The Football World Cup is when football becomes part of everyday conversations, not just among dedicated fans but also among casual followers of the sport. While the world watches the biggest stars compete on the global stage, we felt it was equally important to celebrate the football stories unfolding much closer to home. Through Har Game Ke Liye Ready, we wanted to showcase the passion, dedication and communities that make football special in India. The World Cup provided the perfect platform to tell those stories.

Q: ‘Har Game Ke Liye Ready’ focuses on grassroots players, training culture, football communities and freestylers rather than elite professionals. What does this say about how football participation is evolving in India?

Vector X: Football in India is no longer limited to professional players or traditional football hubs. Today, the sport is being embraced by school students, working professionals, creators, freestylers and community football groups across the country. Participation is becoming more diverse and inclusive. The campaign reflects this evolution by highlighting the many ways people engage with football beyond competitive matches.

Q: Vector X has been associated with Indian football for decades. How have you seen the football ecosystem change over the last 10 years, both in terms of participation and consumer behaviour?

Vector X: The growth has been remarkable. We have seen football expand beyond a spectator sport to become a lifestyle and participation sport. Access to international leagues, digital content and community football has helped fuel this growth. Consumers today are more informed, more engaged and more passionate about the game than ever before. There is also greater demand for quality football equipment, footwear and accessories as more people actively participate in the sport.

Q: The campaign highlights the local maidan as much as the global stage. Do you believe grassroots football is finally receiving the attention it deserves in India, and what more needs to be done?

Vector X: Grassroots football is certainly receiving more attention than it did a decade ago, but there is still significant potential to unlock. We need greater investment in infrastructure, more accessible playing spaces, stronger school-level programmes and sustained support for community football initiatives. The local maidan remains where many football journeys begin, and strengthening grassroots football is critical to the long-term growth of the sport in India.

Q: Freestyle football features prominently in one of the films. How important are emerging sub-cultures like freestyle, content creators and social communities in driving football’s popularity among younger audiences?

Vector X: They are incredibly important. Young audiences today engage with football in many different ways, not just by watching matches or playing competitively. Freestylers, creators and football communities are making the sport more accessible, relatable and entertaining. They are helping introduce football to new audiences and creating fresh pathways for engagement, particularly on digital platforms.

Q: Beyond equipment, what role do brands like Vector X play in building football culture and encouraging more youngsters to take up the sport?

Vector X: Brands have a responsibility to contribute to the growth of the sport beyond products. At Vector X, we see ourselves as enablers of participation. Whether through supporting grassroots football, engaging with local communities, creating football-focused campaigns or making quality equipment accessible, our objective is to help more people discover and enjoy the game.

Q: With football fandom growing rapidly in India during major tournaments such as the World Cup and the European Championships, how does Vector X plan to convert that enthusiasm into sustained year-round participation?

Vector X: Major tournaments often serve as an entry point for new fans. The key is to keep that enthusiasm alive once the tournament ends. We aim to do that by staying engaged with football communities throughout the year, supporting local participation, collaborating with creators and continuing conversations around the sport. The goal is to encourage people to move from watching football to actively playing and experiencing it.

Q: Looking ahead, what is Vector X’s long-term vision for Indian football, and are there any grassroots, youth development or community initiatives that fans can expect from the brand in the near future?

Vector X: Our long-term vision is to contribute to the continued growth of football in India by making the sport more accessible and inclusive. We believe the future of Indian football lies in grassroots participation and community engagement. Going forward, fans can expect us to deepen our involvement in football-focused initiatives, partnerships and programmes that encourage more youngsters to take up the sport and strengthen football culture across the country.