"Sleeping giants", "passionate giants", so says FIFA but it's cheerleaders that best describes India when the world's biggest single sport spectacle comes around every four years.

Playing in a FIFA World Cup remains a pipe dream for India and if stalwarts of the game -- such as Bhaichung Bhutia and I M Vijayan -- are to be believed, the scenario is unlikely to change anytime soon with distinct lack of "football culture" in the country.
On and off, here and there, football is discussed in the build-up to the quadrennial FIFA event, but hopes of competing continue to border on absurdity.