The All India Football Federation (AIFF) took the initiative to find potential Players of Indian Origin (PIO) to strengthen the senior national team. 

The Federation president Kalyan Chaubey formed a task force under the chairmanship of Punjab Football Association's president Samir Thaper in December last year and revealed the AIFF has decided to approach 24 such potential footballers whose joining can help senior national teams to exhibit better performance in the international competitions.

The development of the project is still unknown. Even it is not known whether the Union sports ministry has nodded to the project, allowing PIOs to represent India with their dual citizenships. Indian government generally does not allow dual citizenship.

Some of the potential footballers of Indian origin have already established themselves in their respective leagues of different countries that the AIFF can approach. 

Aydaan Haani is one of those promising footballers. The Under-17 midfielder plays for the Under-17 team of Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr. He has played an instrumental role by participating in 19 matches in the Under-17 UAE league his season. He is eligible to represent India as he holds Indian citizenship.

Mohamed Ali can be another striker who can be a future star and be an asset for the Indian team in the future. The 16-year-old striker has already scored 17 goals in 17 matches in the current season, helping his team Shabab Al Ahli to be in the third spot after Al Nassr and Al Zajira in the UAE Under-17 Premier League. Both of Ali’s parents are from Kerala and he holds the Indian citizenship. 

Caylan Vickers is another attacking midfielder whose consistent show in English football can be noticed by the AIFF. Brighton Hove & Albion have confirmed the signing of this 19-year-old striker striker from Reading FC this season on a three-and-half-year contract. He is connected to India. Caylan's mother is Indian, making him eligible to play for India. 

Caylan had played all 19 matches for Reading FC in the League-1, scored four goals, and provided as many assists. His performance was so impressive that Real Madrid showed interest in this potential footballer who also can play as a forward.

The 19-year-old Raj Palit has drawn attention in English football by his hard-working football and versatile as an attacking midfielder with Hull City's Under-21 side so far. Both of his parents are Indian and he is surely eligible to don India shirts.