New Delhi: The Indian football team will kick off its FIFA World Cup qualification against Lebanon in the first round of Asian qualification.
India, who are scheduled to play the ONGC Cup in the Capital this month, have been struggling even in the Asian circuit.
Under coach Bob Houghton, India have not yet been able to make much impact as they stand a poor 162nd in the latest FIFA rankings.
India will take on Lebanon, ranked 135, on October 8 in Lebanon and 28 at home for the return leg this year.
Seeded 28th in the Asian Football Confederation rankings, India, if they get past the Lebanese, will take on either North Korea or Mongolia in the second round in November.
Australia are the top ranked Asian team for the qualifiers. South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Japan and Iran, who complete the top five, get a direct entry to the third round of qualification.
Asian Cup champions Iraq, however, will have to get past Pakistan to kickstart their campaign.
From the 19 teams that clear the first round, the lowest eight based on ranking move on to the second round and the other 11 to round three.
The draw for the third round will take place in Durban, South Africa, on November 25.
(With inputs from PTI)
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