Team India's Football Fever: Which World Cup Stars Do Kohli, Dhoni, and Rohit Support?

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season has officially reached its final stretch, with only the high-stakes Qualifier 2 and the grand Final remaining on the schedule. However, the moment the champion is crowned, the global sporting focus will undergo a massive shift.

In just about a fortnight, the highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup will kick off on June 11th, bringing a month of spectacular action across the United States, Canada, and Mexico until July 19th. While fans everywhere are gearing up for the tournament, the stars of the Indian national cricket team will be watching just as intently.

The Team India dressing room is filled with massive football enthusiasts who regularly express their passion through club jerseys, pre-match kickabouts, and intense football debates.

Here is a look at the football loyalties and favorite clubs of India's biggest cricket stars:

The Cristiano Ronaldo Devotees

Virat Kohli: It is widely known that Virat Kohli draws massive inspiration from Cristiano Ronaldo's unparalleled fitness, discipline, and longevity. As a result, Kohli's club loyalties have followed the Portuguese superstar from Manchester United to Real Madrid and Al Nassr, though the Indian batter has also been seen supporting Manchester City recently.

Mohammed Siraj: Bringing football flair to the cricket pitch, fast bowler Mohammed Siraj is another staunch Ronaldo supporter. Siraj regularly celebrates his wickets with Ronaldo's iconic "Siuuu" jump, channeling the footballer's intense on-field mentality.

The Real Madrid Ambassador

Rohit Sharma: While Kohli leans toward Ronaldo, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma is a dedicated supporter of Real Madrid. His deep ties to Spanish football even led to him being appointed as a La Liga ambassador for India.

The Manchester United Brigade

MS Dhoni: Before cementing his legacy as an iconic wicketkeeper, MS Dhoni honed his reflexes as a school football goalkeeper. A lifelong fan of Manchester United, Dhoni once mentioned he wanted his IPL franchise, the Chennai Super Kings, to build a legacy similar to the English club. He also co-owns Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League.

Yuvraj Singh & Jasprit Bumrah: The Manchester United fanbase is strong in the Indian camp. Former all-rounder Yuvraj Singh is a proud supporter frequently seen in United kits, while ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah has even made a trip to Old Trafford alongside his wife, Sanjana Ganesan.

The Ultimate Football Geek

Kuldeep Yadav: The left-arm wrist-spinner takes his football fandom to a different level by hosting his own football-centric YouTube channel. Kuldeep is a massive admirer of FC Barcelona, Liverpool, Brazil, Neymar, and Lionel Messi. His unwavering support for Messi naturally leads to some friendly locker-room banter with Kohli over the eternal Messi-Ronaldo debate.

The English Premier League Loyalists

Rishabh Pant: The explosive wicketkeeper-batter is a devoted Liverpool fan, often sharing pictures of himself sporting the Reds' jersey on his social media.

KL Rahul: KL Rahul, who actually dreamed of playing football professionally as a child, is a passionate supporter of reigning Premier League champions Arsenal.

The Legends of the Pitch

Sachin Tendulkar: The 'God of Cricket' formerly co-owned the Kerala Blasters in the ISL and is a huge admirer of the English Premier League's competitive intensity. Proving he can play as well as he watches, Tendulkar even scored a goal during a charity football match meant to raise funds during the Kargil War.

Rahul Dravid: The legendary batter and coach shares his allegiance with Arsenal FC, largely due to his deep admiration for the philosophy of their legendary manager, Arsene Wenger.

Sourav Ganguly: Rooted in the rich football culture of Kolkata, Ganguly has always been deeply invested in the sport. He passionately follows both his local powerhouse Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Manchester United.

As the IPL concludes and the FIFA World Cup completely takes over the global sporting calendar, you can guarantee that the Indian dressing room will be buzzing with friendly rivalries, football debates, and players proudly wearing their favorite international jerseys.