During the draw at the AFC headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday, the Indian football team was placed in the same group as Qatar, Kuwait, and the winner of the Afghanistan or Mongolia match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. India finds itself alongside the 2022 hosts Qatar, 2023 SAFF Championships runner-up Kuwait, and a team to be determined from the forthcoming Afghanistan versus Mongolia game.
India’s aspiration to one day reach the World Cup has received a significant boost, buoyed by their recent outstanding performances, which they aim to carry forward into the Asian Cup and the World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
This year has been nothing short of remarkable for India, securing victory in both the Intercontinental Cup and the SAFF Championship consecutively, without facing any defeats. In a thrilling final at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Sunil Chhetri and the team triumphed over Lebanon 2-0 to lift the prestigious Intercontinental Cup title.
Building on their success, the Igor Stimac-coached team continued their winning streak in the SAFF Championship at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, claiming the title by defeating Kuwait in a thrilling penalty shootout.
These impressive performances have also propelled India into the top 100 of the FIFA World Rankings, reflecting the team’s growing prowess on the global stage.
Additionally, India received a morale-boosting announcement from the sports ministry, which decided to relax its internal rule, granting the Indian men’s and women’s teams permission to compete at the Asian Games 2023. This decision comes as recognition of the teams’ recent standout performances.
With their eyes set on the future, the Indian football teams are filled with optimism, backed by their achievements and the nation’s unwavering support as they strive towards greater heights in the world of football.
World Cup qualifying draw for Asia:
