Skip to main content

Here's an adjusted outline focusing on the qualification rounds and scenario of indian football team for qualifying FIFA 2026


The Indian men's football team has been drawn with reigning Asian champions Qatar and Kuwait in Group A for the second round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC qualifiers. Either Mongolia and Afghanistan will join the group from the first round.
The official draw ceremony was conducted at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Thursday.


The second round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC qualifiers, scheduled from November 16, 2023, to June 11, 2024, will see 36 football teams compete. While 26 of them, including India, got direct entries into the second round, the remaining 10 will be chosen from the first round of matches involving 20 teams.


The winner of the two-legged home-away format playoffs between Mongolia and Afghanistan will join India, Qatar and Kuwait in Group A of the second round.


The 36 teams have been divided into nine groups. The teams in each group will play each other in a home-away round-robin format and the top two teams from each group will make round three of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The 18 teams will also qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
World No. 99 in the FIFA men’s football rankings, India are the second-best team in Group A of the second round qualifiers behind world No. 59 Qatar. Kuwait are 137th.


Qatar, who won the last AFC Asian Cup in 2019, will be the outright favourites to win the group. India, however, did manage to hold the Asian powerhouses to a 0-0 draw in the FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifiers in September 2019. The 2022 FIFA World Cup was hosted by Qatar.


The Igor Stimac-coached Indian side also played Kuwait twice this year in the 2023 SAFF Championship. The first match ended in a 1-1 draw while Sunil Chhetri and Co. won on penalties in the final to clinch the title.


India are slated to start their FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC qualifiers second round campaign against Kuwait on November 16 while their final match will be against Qatar on June 11 next year.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Liverpool's Dramatic Comeback Seals Thrilling 2-1 Victory Over Newcastle United

Newcastle gained a 1-0 lead through Gordon, while van Dijk's red card hampered Liverpool. Núñez leveled and later secured Liverpool's 2-1 victory in extra time. First Half: Newcastle United 1 - 0 Liverpool The game began with both teams displaying early intensity, vying for control. In the 6th minute, Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) got booked for a foul on Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United). As the 16th minute arrived, Newcastle United nearly scored when Anthony Gordon's shot from outside the box was saved. 1 GOAL BY ANTONY GORDON(25') Frequent fouls marked the match as the sides battled for dominance. In the 25th minute, Newcastle United broke the deadlock. Anthony Gordon's precise right-footed shot from the center of the box granted them a 1-0 lead. Liverpool responded with resolve, fashioning chances to even the score. Mohamed Salah's left-footed long-range shot was stopped by the Newcastle goalkeeper. Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool) attempted a direct free...

Genoa manages to secure a slim 1-0 win over Lazio in a fiercely contested match

In the first half, Genoa led 1-0 via Mateo Retegui's header. Both sides fought with fouls, corners, and saves. Second half saw Genoa hold the lead, Lazio's efforts fell short, and Genoa won 1-0. First Half: LAZIO 1 - 0 GENOA The initial half of the match between Lazio and Genoa commenced with both teams eager to make their mark. Genoa swiftly earned a corner, initiating a tussle between the defensive lines. As the game progressed, the tempo escalated, revealing the teams' determination to take the lead. However, it was Genoa's Mateo Retegui who managed to break the impasse, executing a precise header from the center of the box that found the net, granting Genoa a 1-0 advantage. 1 GOAL BY MATEO RETEGUI(15') Lazio's goalkeeper sprang into action, thwarting Morten Frendrup's powerful right-footed shot with a well-timed save, preventing further increase in the score. With both sides striving for control, the midfield turned into a battleground, resulting in a se...

FIFA Takes Action: Spanish Football Federation Suspended Following President's Inappropriate Behavior

A historic victory was achieved by the Spanish football team in the 2023 Women's FIFA World Cup as they clinched their first championship title. However, the celebration was overshadowed by an unfortunate incident involving Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish Football Federation. During the trophy presentation ceremony, an incident unfolded where Luis Rubiales was captured on camera kissing Spanish midfielder Jenni Hermoso without her consent. In response, Hermoso expressed her discomfort, stating that the unwanted gesture had left her feeling violated. In the aftermath of the incident, Rubiales issued an apology for his actions, yet he chose to remain in his role, declining to step down. The refusal to resign has sparked widespread calls for FIFA to address the matter and take appropriate action against the Spanish Football Federation. FIFA's response to this concerning incident has been decisive. The organization has opted to suspend the Spanish Football F...