From the fabled history of India being invited to play the 1950 FIFA World Cup before withdrawing to still harbouring the dream after multiple tries, Sunil Chhetri and co. will step out again for their mission.
The Indian men’s football team first played a World Cup qualifier back in 1985 for the 1986 FIFA World Cup but failed at the first hurdle. After skipping the 1990 World Cup qualification matches, India tried for the 1994 edition and has been taking part ever since, albeit without success.
India have played 48 World Cup qualifiers, winning just 10, with their most successful campaign being for the 2002 World Cup, where the Blue Tigers earned 11 points in six 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 starts though with a trip away to Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium for their first game against Kuwait.
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In the current year, India have had a good run, particularly at home. Starting with Tri-nation Series Win in March and then the Intercontinental Cup in June. In July, India clinched their record-extending ninth SAFF Championship.
India’s 11-game unbeaten run this year came to an end at the King’s Cup in September and in October also lost in the Merdeka Cup.
Ahead of their qualifier campaign, India football legend Sunil Chhetri pointed out that the results from the recent memory will help 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 and then beaten Kuwait at the SAFF Championship.
But that was at home and in front of a vociferous Bengaluru support.
Chhetri, who is making his fourth attempt at FIFA World Cup qualification, noted the same.
“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 said.
Ekeing out results and fighting for points will be the top agenda for head coach Igor Stimac, something 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 told 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.
Stimac though will not be allowing his side to rest on their recent 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 said.
“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.
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