India’s males’s soccer crew beat Kuwait within the FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC qualifiers on Thursday to kickstart their Round 2 on a optimistic notice. Manvir Singh scored the lone objective of the match within the seventy fifth minute to assist India beat Kuwait at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium.
India are positioned in Group A of Round 2 alongside Kuwait, Qatar and Afghanistan. India’s subsequent conflict is towards Qatar on November 21 in Bhubaneswar. If India need to qualify for the third spherical, they have to end within the prime 2 of Group A on the finish of the Round 2.Â
Also Read | WATCH: Manvir Singh Powers India To 1-0 Win Over Kuwait In FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers Round 2
In Round 2, every of the 4 groups in Group A, together with eight different AFC teams, will interact in a double round-robin format. This includes going through one another house and away between November 2023 and June 2024. That means India performs, house and away, clashes againsr Kuwait, Qatar and Afghanistan in instances to come back.
India’s street to FIFA World Cup 2026
India has a difficult but easy path forward. They intention for a top-two end in Group A to progress to the subsequent stage of the World Cup qualifiers. So, a complete of 18 groups will go to Round 3, 9 group winners and respective runner ups. Securing this spot not solely means advancing but additionally ensures their spot within the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
In 2024, a draw will decide three teams of six groups every for the third spherical. The prime two groups from these teams will safe spots in the principle occasion.
In the earlier 2022 World Cup Qualifiers, India secured third place of their group, lacking out on direct development. Qatar and Oman claimed the highest two spots, progressing to the subsequent stage.
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An Indian file 2_5_th clear sheet for @GurpreetGK final night time _#FIFAWorldCup _ #BlueTigers _ #IndianFootball _ pic.twitter.com/WuGOPiBRlT
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) November 17, 2023
India are 102nd-ranked facet on this planet. It won’t be straightforward vs Qatar, who’re ranked 61st in FIFA rankings. This match will happen at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
It was not straightforward both towards Kuwait, who have been down to simply 10-man crew after Faizal Zaid Al-Harbi of Kuwait was despatched off in second-half stoppage time. Kuwait had began the match nicely, preserving possession of the ball for many a part of the primary half. But because the minutes handed, India’s midfield pressed increased and began creating possibilities for the strikers. India’s Sahal Abdul Samad had an opportunity within the 18th minute however did not convert it right into a objective. Both groups went neck and neck until Manvir scored the winner within the seventy fifth minute.
The Blue Tigers want their veteran participant Sunil Chhetri to do nicely within the additional Round 2 video games. Â
