Goa the game in the state under the new name Goa Football Association. Goa, along with West Bengal and Kerala is the locus of football in India and is home to many football clubs in the national I-League. The state's football powerhouses include Salgaocar, Dempo, Churchill Brothers, Vasco, Sporting Clube de Goa and FC Goa. The first Unity World Cup was held in Goa in 2014. The state's main football stadium, Fatorda Stadium, is located at Margao and also hosts cricket matches. The state hosted few matches of the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Fatorda Stadium. A number of Goans
Mario Soares (footballer) Mario Soares (footballer) Mario Soares is a former Indian football player and is the current interim head coach of Indian I-League side Salgaocar. During his playing days, Soares played for Salgaocar, Dempo, Churchill Brothers, and India internationally. Born in Goa, Soares started his football career as a youth player with Salcette. He started his senior career with Salgaocar, where he won the Federation Cup with the club in 1988. He scored the winning goal in extra-time against Border Security Force as Salgaocar won 1–0. He then went on to play for Dempo and Churchill Brothers later in his career. Soares