Indian Men’s Football Team Set to Resume FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers against Afghanistan

The Indian men’s football team is gearing up to face Afghanistan in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Joint Qualification Round 2 at the Damac Stadium in Abha, Saudi Arabia on Thursday. Following a disappointing AFC Asian Cup campaign in January, the Blue Tigers are eager to make a strong comeback in the qualifiers after securing a 1-0 win over Kuwait but suffering a 3-0 defeat against Qatar in their previous matches.

Currently tied on three points with Kuwait in Group A, the Indian team under coach Stimac seeks to climb the table and advance to the third round of the World Cup qualifiers by securing vital points in their upcoming fixtures against Afghanistan. With aspirations to improve their FIFA ranking, which currently stands at 117, India aims to capitalize on their higher rank compared to Afghanistan, who hold the 158th spot.

In terms of recent form, Afghanistan holds a mixed record with two wins against Mongolia in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers but has struggled against higher-ranked opponents like Qatar and Kuwait. On the other hand, India suffered defeats in the AFC Asian Cup and will rely on their captain Sunil Chhetri to lead the team’s attack and secure a crucial victory against Afghanistan.

Key battles to watch out for in the match include Anwar Ali’s defensive matchup against Balal Arezou and Sunil Chhetri’s clash with Zohib Amiri. The absence of Sandesh Jhingan due to injury will see Ali stepping up in defense for India, while Chhetri aims to break his goal drought and guide his team to success.

The matchup between Afghanistan and India is scheduled for March 22, 2024, at the Damac Stadium in Abha, Saudi Arabia, with the game set to kick off at 12:30 AM IST. The match will be telecast live on DD Sports, with fans also having the option to stream the game on Fancode. Fans can expect an intense battle on the pitch as both teams strive to secure crucial points in the qualification round.

In summary, the stage is set for an exciting clash between India and Afghanistan as both teams look to make their mark in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers and continue their quest for international success.