<p>Arsene Wenger believes there is a "gold mine" of football talent in India that needs to be tapped so that the country can play a more significant role on the world stage.</p><p>"My target is to improve football in the world. And it is impossible that a country like India, 1.4 billion, is not on the football world map," former Arsenal manager Wenger said during a visit to India in his role as FIFA's chief of Global Football Development.</p><p>"My main target here is to convince people that there is a gold mine here, but at the moment it is not completely explored, exploited and encouraged," he added during a meeting with the president of the All India Football Federation on Monday.</p>.Barcelona star Gavi out for several months with torn ACL.<p>The Frenchman said a robust development program can improve a country's performance.</p><p>"I was in Japan at the start of their football in 1995. In 1998, they were at the World Cup," he said.</p><p>"So that means it is possible. You have to start early.</p><p>"I believe you have huge assets, fantastic qualities that make me very optimistic about what you can do here."</p><p>India have never taken part in a World Cup. They opted not to participate in the 1950 tournament despite being invited. </p>
<p>Arsene Wenger believes there is a "gold mine" of football talent in India that needs to be tapped so that the country can play a more significant role on the world stage.</p><p>"My target is to improve football in the world. And it is impossible that a country like India, 1.4 billion, is not on the football world map," former Arsenal manager Wenger said during a visit to India in his role as FIFA's chief of Global Football Development.</p><p>"My main target here is to convince people that there is a gold mine here, but at the moment it is not completely explored, exploited and encouraged," he added during a meeting with the president of the All India Football Federation on Monday.</p>.Barcelona star Gavi out for several months with torn ACL.<p>The Frenchman said a robust development program can improve a country's performance.</p><p>"I was in Japan at the start of their football in 1995. In 1998, they were at the World Cup," he said.</p><p>"So that means it is possible. You have to start early.</p><p>"I believe you have huge assets, fantastic qualities that make me very optimistic about what you can do here."</p><p>India have never taken part in a World Cup. They opted not to participate in the 1950 tournament despite being invited. </p>