India FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers : The Indian men’s football team saw their FIFA World Cup 2026 dreams end following a hard-fought 2-1 defeat to Qatar in their final Group A match at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar. This loss marked the end of India’s journey in the second round of the qualifiers, as they finished third in Group A with only one win from six matches. Qatar, the reigning Asian champions, and Kuwait advanced to the third round of the qualifiers.
Shocking Defeat! India’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Hopes Dashed by Qatar – Full Match Analysis
Match Overview
Despite the final score, the match had moments of promise for the Indian team, especially in the first half. Ranked 121st in the world, India managed to take an early lead against World No. 34 Qatar, showcasing their potential and resilience on the field.
First Half Highlights
- Early Saves by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu: India’s goalkeeper and captain, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, was pivotal in the early stages of the game, making a crucial save within the first two minutes to keep Qatar at bay. His efforts continued as he thwarted multiple attempts from the Qatari forwards during the first 15 minutes.
- Missed Opportunity by Manvir Singh: Around the 30-minute mark, India had a golden opportunity to score. Manvir Singh found himself in a one-on-one situation with the Qatari goalkeeper but was unable to convert. The rebound fell to Lallianzuala Chhangte, who also missed the chance to score.
- India Takes the Lead: Persistence paid off in the 37th minute when Brandon Fernandes delivered a low cross into the box. Lallianzuala Chhangte met the ball, and his precise touch sent it past Qatari goalkeeper Shehab Ellethy, giving India a 1-0 lead.
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Second Half Turnaround
The second half saw a determined Qatar side pushing for an equalizer, eventually overpowering the Indian defense.
- Qatar’s Equalizer: The hosts maintained pressure on the Indian defense and were rewarded in the 73rd minute when Yousef Aymen fired in the equalizer, leveling the score at 1-1.
- Missed Chances by India: India had an opportunity to regain the lead with Jay Gupta and Liston Colaco coming close, but they failed to capitalize on their chances.
- Decisive Goal by Ahmed Al-Rawi: Qatar sealed their victory in the 83rd minute with Ahmed Al-Rawi finding the back of the net. Despite India’s efforts to fight back in the final minutes, they were unable to secure the equalizer, leading to a 2-1 defeat.
Post-Match Reactions
Babar Azam’s Frustration
Post-match, Babar Azam expressed his relief at securing the win but also his frustration with the pitch conditions. “It was in our mind to win before 14 overs to better our net run rate, but the pitch made it difficult,” he said.
Future Prospects for Indian Football
Despite the disappointing end, the Indian team showed moments of promise and potential. Coach Igor Stimac will likely focus on building upon these experiences to strengthen the team for future tournaments.
Group A Standings
India finished third in Group A with just one win from six matches. Qatar topped the group, followed by Kuwait, who secured their spot in the next round with a 1-0 win against Afghanistan on the final matchday.
Conclusion
India’s campaign in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers ended with a narrow defeat to Qatar. While the result was not in their favor, the team’s performance against a much higher-ranked opponent showcased their fighting spirit and potential for growth in international football.
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FAQs About India’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers Campaign
- What was the final score of India vs. Qatar match in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers?
- The final score was 2-1 in favor of Qatar.
- Who scored the goals for Qatar in the match against India?
- Yousef Aymen and Ahmed Al-Rawi scored for Qatar.
- Who scored India’s only goal in the match against Qatar?
- Lallianzuala Chhangte scored India’s goal.
- Where was the match between India and Qatar played?
- The match was played at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar.
- What was India’s final standing in Group A of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers?
- India finished third in Group A.
- Which teams from Group A advanced to the next round of the qualifiers?
- Qatar and Kuwait advanced to the next round.
- Who is the captain of the Indian football team?
- Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is the captain of the Indian football team.
- What was the critical moment for India in the first half of the match?
- The critical moment was Lallianzuala Chhangte’s goal in the 37th minute.
- How did the pitch conditions affect the match according to Babar Azam?
- Babar Azam stated that the pitch conditions made it difficult to chase the target quickly.
- What was India’s win-loss record in the Group A matches?
- India had one win from six matches.
- Who provided the assist for Lallianzuala Chhangte’s goal?
- Brandon Fernandes provided the assist.
- Which Indian players missed significant chances in the second half?
- Jay Gupta and Liston Colaco missed significant chances.
- What was the result of Kuwait’s final match in Group A?
- Kuwait won 1-0 against Afghanistan.
- What was the reaction of the Indian coach Igor Stimac to the team’s performance?
- While disappointed, Igor Stimac is likely to focus on the positives and build on the team’s experiences.
- What was the significance of India’s match against Qatar?
- It was a must-win game for India to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
- How did India’s goalkeeper perform in the match?
- Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made several crucial saves, especially in the early stages of the match.
- What were the key factors in Qatar’s victory over India?
- Qatar’s persistence, their ability to capitalize on India’s missed chances, and effective goal-scoring in the second half.
- How did India’s position in Group A impact their chances for the World Cup?
- Finishing third with only one win, India’s position was not enough to advance to the next round.
- What were the reactions of the fans to India’s performance?
- Fans had mixed reactions, appreciating the team’s fight but disappointed with the result.
- What are the next steps for the Indian football team after this qualifier exit?
- The team will likely focus on upcoming tournaments and training to improve their performance and prepare for future qualifiers.