India To Face Qatar In Crucial World Cup Qualifier Match

The Indian football team is all set to face Qatar today in their final fixture of the second round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC qualifiers. The match will be crucial, as today's victory against Qatar could pave the way for India to secure their first-ever qualification to the third round. It is worth mentioning that India will be playing today without Sunil Chhetri, who retired from international football last week.

The much-awaited match will kick off at 9:15 PM IST at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha. Qatar, with 13 points, has already secured their place in the next round, and it is the only unbeaten team in the group. The battle for the second spot intensified as India secured a draw against Kuwait in the previous game. India currently remains in the second spot with five points and a goal difference of -3. Afghanistan also has the same points. However, the goal difference put India in second place. 

Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu will lead India in the must win match. If India draws against Qatar in today's match, the Blue Tigers will qualify for the third round only if the match between Kuwait and Afghanistan also ends in a draw.