From the fabled historical past of India being invited to play the 1950 FIFA World Cup earlier than withdrawing to nonetheless harbouring the dream after a number of tries, Sunil Chhetri and co. will step out once more for his or her mission.
The Indian males’s soccer staff first performed a World Cup qualifier again in 1985 for the 1986 FIFA World Cup however failed on the first hurdle. After skipping the 1990 World Cup qualification matches, India tried for the 1994 version and has been collaborating ever since, albeit with out success.
India have performed 48 World Cup qualifiers, profitable simply 10, with their most profitable marketing campaign being for the 2002 World Cup, the place the Blue Tigers earned 11 factors in six video games.
For the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, India have been drawn with Kuwait, Qatar and Afghanistan.
India’s FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 begins although with a visit away to Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium for his or her first sport towards Kuwait.
In the present yr, India have had a great run, notably at dwelling. Starting with Tri-nation Series Win in March after which the Intercontinental Cup in June. In July, India clinched their file-extending ninth SAFF Championship.
India’s 11-sport unbeaten run this yr got here to an finish on the King’s Cup in September and in October additionally misplaced within the Merdeka Cup.
Ahead of their qualifier marketing campaign, India soccer legend Sunil Chhetri identified that the outcomes from the current reminiscence will assist the Blue Tigers.
“I think it is just the morale of the team, or what has happened in the last six, eight months. A lot of boys have taken their places in the team. And that is why we are probably more prepared,” Chhetri was quoted as saying by AIFF.
“Also, the World Cup qualifiers are happening at a time when a lot of us have a decent amount of game time under our belts. All these things do matter. Over and above, we played Kuwait twice a few months back, so we have better knowledge of them, though it works on both sides. We have played Qatar at least thrice in the last three years, which again helps. And we always know Afghanistan. We have played them enough,” he added.
India had drawn after which overwhelmed Kuwait on the SAFF Championship.
But that was at dwelling and in entrance of a vociferous Bengaluru assist.
Chhetri, who’s making his fourth try at FIFA World Cup qualification, famous the identical.
“At home, we have done decently well. In away games, we haven’t. If we have to go to the next round and be among the 18 best teams in Asia, we have to rectify our method. Here, every point in every game does matter, because the top two teams of every group qualify. So, we really have to work hard while starting against Kuwait in the away match,” he mentioned.
Ekeing out outcomes and combating for factors would be the high agenda for head coach Igor Stimac, one thing he accepted.
“Yes, the group is very tough and challenging because we know there will be no easy opponents, and they are the top teams. So apart from that, from the third pot we got by far the best opponents available (Kuwait). So, the group is tough at the moment, but we need to approach it game by game and prepare for it,” Stimac advised AIFF.
“And as far as I’m concerned and with my experience in football, November to March will be difficult. To prepare well and to make sure that the national team gets enough time to secure the second spot in the group and qualify – that is our plan,” he added.
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Stimac although won’t be permitting his aspect to relaxation on their current laurels.
“The games we played against them (SAFF Championship) came after a long camp preparation. And our boys should not rely on the latest success in the quality football which we played against Kuwait because now we are in a different position,” Stimac mentioned.
“The boys are coming from a different pace of football. So, we’re not gonna lie to ourselves and expect top quality football we’re going to present there. Our focus is on the result and how to obtain the result in the opening game of the World Cup qualifiers,” he added.
