India’s dreams of advancing to the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers were dashed after they were held 0-0 by Kuwait in their penultimate Group A encounter at Salt Lake Stadium. A defiant Indian Football Team coach, Igor Stimac, stated his squad has no time “to feel sorry” since they are “still alive” in the fight to get to the third round, ahead of their final encounter against Qatar.
Igor Stimac remains hopeful despite Indian football team’s disappointing outing
“We don’t have time to feel sorry for ourselves as we are still alive. I need to do everything in the next five days to make the boys believe, make them create the environment of belief, which can take us into a challenge against Qatar who are a very different team,” Stimac asserted in the post-match press conference.
The draw against Kuwait also marked the end of Sunil Chhetri’s international career, adding to the emotional weight of the match. With their fate now resting on the final match against Qatar, India faces an uphill battle to secure qualification.
“It’s a small hope, but it’s till there and we need to believe and trust in ourselves and give our best shot to win the game.”
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So how can Indian football team still qualify for the third round?
To secure a spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026, India needs to finish in the top two in the second and third rounds of qualifiers. Currently sitting second on the points table, India has a slim lead over Afghanistan but must deliver in their remaining fixture.
Kuwait, with one less point than India, faces Afghanistan in their final game, presenting a comparatively easier challenge. However, India remains determined to overcome the odds, even in the absence of Chhetri.
While defeating Qatar seems the most direct path to qualification, a draw coupled with other results could still see India through. Qatar’s decision to rest key players offers a glimmer of hope for India in their pursuit of victory.
Group A standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Qatar (Q) | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 14 | 13 |
| 2 | India | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 5 |
| 3 | Afghanistan | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 13 | -10 | 5 |
| 4 | Kuwait | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 4 |
