Indian Football Team’s FIFA WC qualifying chances have taken a serious hit following a dismal and below-the-par performance in India vs Afghanistan resulting disappointing 2-1 loss. While their non-cohesive, poor performance suggests otherwise, numerically Sunil Chhetri and co can still finish second in the group and thus qualify for for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
India are currently second in Group A after four games, eight points behind leader Qatar. They are even on points with Afghanistan but have a goal-difference edge, and they lead Kuwait by one point. India will host Kuwait on June 6 before travelling to Qatar for their last encounter in the second round of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
How can the Indian Football Team qualify?
India must win at least one of the next two matches to qualify for the next round. Thus let us asses the scenarios of how India can still qualify for the next round of the tournament.
- 1. India defeats Kuwait but loses to Qatar, while Qatar wins all matches and Kuwait defeats Afghanistan but loses to both India and Qatar. India qualifies with 7 points.
- 2. India beats Kuwait but loses to Qatar, Qatar wins against India and Kuwait but loses to Afghanistan, and Kuwait defeats Afghanistan but loses to India and Qatar. India can still qualify with 7 points, with goal difference potentially determining qualification due to Afghanistan also reaching 7 points.
- 3. India wins against Kuwait but loses to Qatar, Qatar wins against India and Afghanistan but loses to Kuwait, and Afghanistan wins against Kuwait. India’s potential qualification with 7 points relies on goal difference, as Afghanistan also attains 7 points.
- 4. India wins against Qatar but loses to Kuwait, Qatar defeats Afghanistan and Kuwait, and Afghanistan defeats Kuwait. India’s potential qualification with 7 points hinges on goal difference, with Afghanistan also reaching 7 points.
Group A standings in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers:
| Positions | Teams | Matches | Won | Drawn | Lost | GF | GA | GD | Points |
| 1 | Qatar | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 13 | 9 |
| 2 | India | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 4 |
| 3 | Afghanistan | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 13 | -10 | 4 |
| 4 | Kuwait | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
