The Indian men’s football team coach Igor Stimac (Credit: X) will lead the team in their bid to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Kuwait and India are seen as the top contenders for the second spot in their FIFA World Cup Qualifiers group, which also includes Qatar and Afghanistan. The match will take place at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, with the top two teams from each group securing qualification for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. India has never advanced to the third round of AFC’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers, but a changed format and their strong performance in 2023 gives them a chance to make history. However, a solid start to the campaign will be crucial due to close competition in Group A. India is the higher-ranked team, but Kuwait has shown potential after drawing with them in the SAFF Championship. The upcoming clash could determine their destiny as the prime candidates for the group’s second spot, with Qatar being the favorites to finish on top. According to Stimac, both teams have changed since their previous encounter, and the match will be a different challenge.
