After a frustrating goalless draw against Kuwait, India is now preparing for the last game of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Qatar on Tuesday, June 11. The Blue Tigers will embark on a journey to Doha for this pivotal match, with their sights set on creating a historic moment on the field.
In the recent match, India faced challenges in breaking through Kuwait’s strong defense. Rahim Ali had a notable chance in the second half, while Kuwait also had a few opportunities; however, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu’s outstanding saves kept India in contention. Consequently, India’s hopes for qualification now hang in the balance. They currently occupy the second spot with five points, on par with Afghanistan, while Kuwait trails closely with just one point behind. Igor Stimac’s team will secure a spot in the third round if they can claim a victory against Qatar. Alternatively, a draw could also see them progress, provided Afghanistan and Kuwait also draw their match.
Following Sunil Chhetri’s farewell match in Kolkata on Thursday, the Men in Blue will be missing their captain for the upcoming game. Head coach Igor Stimac, expressing disappointment with the team’s performance on Thursday, stressed the significance of seizing the upcoming opportunity during the post-match press conference.
On the other hand, Qatar has already guaranteed a place in the third round and continues to maintain an undefeated record in the qualifiers. They hold an impressive eight-point lead over India, leading them to consider resting their key players for the final match, a potential advantage for Stimac and his team. Spanish coach Tintin Marquez is likely to field multiple under-23 players, anticipating a solid performance from them as they strive to conclude the qualifying rounds on a high note.
Star Players to Keep an Eye on in the Qatar-India Showdown
In the upcoming game, keep an eye on Ahmed Al-Rawi from Qatar. The 20-year-old showcased his skills against Afghanistan and is known for his quick dribbling and smart movement off the ball. Playing for Al Rayyan, he has scored 4 goals in just 323 minutes of play. Another player to watch is Tahsin Jamshid, a 17-year-old winger from Qatar’s national football school, Aspire Academy.
For India, watch out for Lallianzuala Chhangte. After an impressive ISL season, he has been a standout player with explosive speed and skill. Chhangte, who scored seven goals for India, is currently one of the most dangerous players on the national team.
India’s FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Journey : Key Match Results
- India secured a narrow 1-0 victory against Kuwait in the 2026 FIFA World Cup second-round qualifiers on November 16, 2023, at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium.
- India suffered a 0-3 defeat against Qatar on November 21, 2023, ending their 15-game unbeaten streak at home in the 2026 FIFA World Cup second-round qualifiers.
- India played out a goalless draw against Afghanistan on March 22, 2024, in a Group A fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
- India faced a disappointing 1-2 loss to Afghanistan at home on March 26, 2024, in the second round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
- India missed an opportunity for FIFA World Cup third-round qualification after a lackluster 0-0 draw against Kuwait at the Salt Lake Stadium on June 6, 2024.
India must secure a win to guarantee their qualification; otherwise, their destiny will hinge on the outcome of the Kuwait versus Afghanistan match. With so much on the line, the upcoming game against Qatar holds immense importance and will be a decisive moment for the Blue Tigers.
