FIFA 2026 & AFC 2027 PRELIMINARY QUALIFICATION II
INDIA FAILED TO BEAT AFGHANISTAN AT HOME
26.03.2024 : INDIA 1-2 AFGHANISTAN (FT)
IND: Sunil Chetri (P-37')
AFG: Rahamat Ambari (70'), M Sharif Mukhammed (P-88")
IND: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Rahul Bheke, Subhasish Bose, Anwar Ali, Nikhil Poojary, Liston Colaco(Mahesh Singh), Jeakson Singh(Vikram Pratap), Brandon Fernandes(Aniruddh Thapa), Lalengmawia Ralte, Sunil Chhetri(Lalrinzualla Chhangte), Manvir Singh.
AFG: Ovays Azizi, Mahoob Hanifi, Haroon Amiri(c), Habibulla Askar(Siar Saddat), Mosawer Ahadi, Rahmat Akbari, Jabar Sharza(Jamshed Hamad), Taufee Skandari, Zelfagar Nazary, Omid Popalzay(Fareed Sadat), Sharif Mukhamed
REFEREE: Mohammed Khled Al Hoish (Saudi Arabia)
90+8': FINAL SCORE: INDIA 1-2 AFGHANISTAN
90+4': YELLOW CARD to Vikram Pratap, rough play against Mahboob Hanifi.
90+3': YELLOW CARD Mahbbob Hanifi, he pulled down Manvir Singh from behind.
90': 5 minutes added time.
88': GOAL............... Afghanistan leading by 2-1.......M Sharif Mukhammed converts the penalty.
87': YELLOW CARD < to Gurpreet Singh for the offense.
87': PENALTY for Afghanistan, Fareed Sadat was fouled by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu inside the 18 yards.
85': Apuia Raltey shoots wide of target from the age of the 18 yards of a clearance from Siar Saddat 83': Manvir Singh's header of a cross from Nikhil Poojary from the right sailed over the cross bar.
81': Aniruddh Thapa's shot of a pass from Mahesh Singh from the left blocked by Mahoob Hanifi.
77': A forward pass from Zelfagar Nazary to Fareed Sadat inside the 18 yards, but Anwar Ali covered the area and cleared the ball.
75': INDIA 1-1 AFGHANISTAN
74': Taufee Skandari's powerful shot from almost 30 yards saved by Gurpreet Singh.
70': GOAL.............. Afghanistan equalised 1-1, Rahamat Akbari scored from the age of the 18 yards of a wrong clearance from Anwar Ali, the ball defected of Rahul Bheke and rolled into the net.
67': A forward pass from Manvir Singh to Nikhil Poojary deep inside the Afghanistan half, but unable to clear the defense.
63': Omid Popalzay shoots wide of the target from outside the 18 yards of a pass from Jabar Sharza.
60': INDIA 1-0 AFGHANISTAN
58': A long pass from Rahamat Akbari from the left to Mosawer Ahadi inside the 18 yards with just Subhasish Bose in front of the Afghanistan footballer, but he failed to control the ball.
54': Liston Colaco's long ranger of a clearance from Afghanistan defense went wide over the cross bar.
52': Mosawer Ahadi was clear inside the 18 yards, trying for a shot at goal, but Anwar Ali blocked the area and cleared the ball.
48': A long lob from the midfield by Brandon Fernandez inside the 18 yards, Manvir Singh was chasing the ball, but Ovays Azizi in control of the situation.
46': Second session kicks off.
45+3': HALF TIME SCORE: INDIA 1-0 AFGHANISTAN
45': 3 minutes added time.
43': YELLOW CARD to Rahul Bheke, he fouled Jabar Sharza.
42': A lob from Apuia Raltey from the midfield, Haroon Amiri missed the ball, the ball came to Sunil Chetri, but the Indian captain lost control of the ball.
38': YELLOW CARD to Subhasish Bose, he tackled dangerously to Omid Popalzay.
37': GOAL................ Sunil Chetri scored, India leading by 1-0....... He scored his 94th goal for India in his 150th international match.
36': YELLOW CARD to Haroon Amiri for handling the ball.
36': PENALTY for India, Haroon Amiri handled a cross pass from Manvir Singh from the right.
33': Brandon Fernandez's low free kick easily cleared away by Afghanistan defense.
32': India earned a free kick as Liston Colaco was pulled down by Mahoob Hanifi.
31': Nikhil Poojary's left footed cross pass from the right was cleared by Haroon Amiri before Sunil Chetri could touch the ball.
30': INDIA 0-0 AFGHANISTAN
28': A cross pass by Subhasish Bose from the left of a forward pass from Liston Colaco, but no Indian footballers were there to react.
25': YELLOW CARD to Brandon Fernandez, rough play against Mosawer Ahadi.
24': Brandon Fernandez's free kick from the right cleared by Afghanistan defense.
23': India earned a free kick......Liston Colaco was fouled by Rahmat Akbari inside the Afghanistan half.
21': India on a counter move........Manvir Singh's cross pass from the right of a pass from Apuia Raltey went wide.
17' Taufee Skandari who was trying to find his way inside the Indian 18 yards was blocked by Nikhil Poojary.
15': INDIA 0-0 AFGHANISTAN
14': Rahul Bheke's header of a corner from Brandon Fernandez went wide after a defection from Mahoob Hanifi.
13': Apuia Raltey of a forward pass from Manvir Singh blocked by Afghanistan defense.
11': A forward pass from Nikhil Poojary to Auia Raltey inside the 18 yards, but the Afghan goalkeeper came out in time to control the situation.
8': Haroon Amiri's header of a corner kick from Mosawer Ahadi from the left punched away by Gurpreet Singh.
5': Brandon Fernendez was finally tackled by Haroon Amiri after he got past a number of players from the right.
2': A forward pass from Subhasish Bose to Sunil Chetri deep inside the Afganishtan half, but the ball was cleared by Haroon Amiri.
0': Kick off at Guwahati.
INDIAN CAPTAIN SUNIL CHETRI PLAYING IN 150TH INTERNATIONAL MATCH
0': GOOD EVENING.........Welcome to our live updates, Stay with us, Match will kick off shortly.
------------------------------------------
CURRENT POSITION IN GROUP A
India are on 4 points after 3 matches.
Afghanistan are at the bottom of the table with 1 point from 3 matches.
Qatar is leading the table with 9 points from 3 matches.
Kuwait is on the third position with 3 points from 3 matches.
FIFA 2026 & AFC 2027 PRELIMINARY QUALIFICATION II
INDIA SHARED POINTS WITH AFGHANISTAN
22.03.2024 : AFGHANISTAN 0-0 INDIA (FT)
AFG: Ovays Azizi, Mahoob Hanifi, Haroon Amiri(c)(Sayed Reza), Habibulla Askar, Mosawer Ahadi, Rahmat Akbari, Skandari Sharaza, Taufee Skandari(Jamseh Ahmed),Zelfagar Nazary, Omid Popalzay(Omid Muswami), Sharif Mukhamed .
IND: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Rahul Bheke, Anwar Ali, Akash Mishra(Subhasish Bose) , Nikhil Poojary, Jeakson Singh(Mahesh Singh), Lalengmawia Ralte, Lalrinzualla Chhangte(Deepak Tangri), Manvir Singh(Liston Colaco), Sunil Chetri(c), Vikram Pratap Singh(Brandon Fernandez).
REFEREE: Kim Heegon (Korea Republic)
90+5': FINAL SCORE: AFGHANISTAN 0-0 INDIA
90+2': YELLOW CARD to Nikhil Poojary for time wasting.
90': 5 minutes added time.
87': YELLOW CARD to Deepak Tangri, he fouled Zelfagar Nazary dangerously.
84': Liston Colaco's cross pass of a pass from the right of a pass from Nikhil Poojary from the right was cleared by Haroon Amiri, once again did not allow Sunil Chetri to create any danger.
79': Subhasish Bose's header of a corner from Brandon Fernandez from the right.
77': A move by Rahul Bheke down the right flank of a pass from Liston Colaco, but Habibulla Askar challenged him.
75': AFGHANISTAN 0-0 INDIA
74': YELLOW CARD to Haroon Amiri, rough play against Liston Colaco.
70': The second session proved to be competitive, both the teams created a number of positive chances.
68': Brandon Fernandez got past a number of Afghanistan players and sends a cross pass inside the 18 yards, Mahoob Hanifi in control of the situation.
65': A cross pass from Brandon Fernandez from the right, but cleared by Hroon Amiri before Sunil Chetri could create any danger.
62': Chance wasted by Afghanistan.........Omid Popalzay failed to place the ball in vacant goal of a pass from Rahmat Akbari. Gurpreet Singh was not in his position.
60': AFGHANISTAN 0-0 INDIA
57': Chance for India.........Vikram Pratap was in a clear position with only the goalkeeper in front of him, but Vikram failed to place the ball in goal of a cross from Akash Mishra from the left.
54': YELLOW CARD to Vikram Pratap, rough play against Zelfagar Nazary.
48': A forward pass from Apuia Raltey to Vikram Pratap inside the 18 yards, but Ovays Azizi came out in time to collect the ball.
46': Second session kicks off.
45+3': HALF TIME SCORE: AFGHANISTAN 0-0 INDIA
45': 3 minutes added time.
43': Taufee Skandhari was blocked by Rahul Bheke as he was trying to find his way deep inside the Indian half.
41': Manvir Singh's header of a cross pass from Nikhil Poojary from the right missed the target by an inch.
37': Manvir singh's header from a corner from Lalrinzualla Chhangte went wide .
35': A forward pas from Sunil Chetri to Vikram Pratap, but he failed to control the ball, Ovays Azizi collects the ball.
32': Vikram Pratap of a pass from Manvir Singh was looking dangerous inside the 18 yards but he was challenged by Haroon Amiri.
30': AFGHANISTAN 0-0 INDIA
28': Apuia Raltey was blocked by Habibulla Askar just outside the 18 yards as he was trying to enter inside the 18 yards.
24' Rahul Bheke's header from inside the 18 yards went over the cross bar of a free kick from Lalrinzualla Chhangte from the left.
21': A cross pass from the right by Vikram Pratap, but Manvir Singh failed to control the ball inside the 18 yards, Haroon Amiri finally cleared the ball.
16': Manvir Singh was trying to find his way deep inside the Afghanistan half , but Mahboob Hanifi cleared the ball.
15': AFGHANISTAN 0-0 INDIA
11': Chance for Afghanistan....... Rahamat Akbari's shoots wide of the target from the top of the 18 yards of a pass from Jabar Sharza.
9': Harron Amiri's free kick went wide of the target.
8': Afganistan earned a free kick deep inside the india half, Omid Popalzay was fouled by Apuia Raltey.
4': Lalrinzualla Chhangte's corner kick cleared by Afghanistan defense.
3': India earned a corner as Zelfagar Nazary cleared a cross pass from Nikhil Poojary from the right.
0': Kick off at Abha.
**** Match will kick off shortly , stay with us for the updates.
HEAD TO HEAD :
TOAL MATCHES: 11
INDIA WON : 7
AFGANISTAN WON: 1
TIED MATCH: 3
INDIA SCORED: 20 GOALS
AFGANISTAN SCORED: 7 GOALS
HIGHEST SCORE :
11.12.2011 - SAFF CUP FINAL: INDIA 4-0 AFGANISTAN
LAST MATCH RESULT :
11.06.2022 - AFC ASIAN CUP: INDIA 2-1 AFGANISTAN
FIXTURE - GROUP-A : Round 2 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 Preliminary Joint Qualification
11.06.2024: QATAR VS INDIA - Al Khor
06.06.2024: INDIA VS KUWAIT - Kolkata
26.03.2024: INDIA VS AFGANISTHAN- Guwahati
21.03.2024: AFGANISTHAN 0-0 India - Saudi Arabia (12.30 am IST)
Indian VS Afghanistan AWAY MATCH TO BE PLAYED on 21 March, 2024, in Abha (22 March, 12.30 am IST). India’s home match against Afghanistan will be played at Guwahati on 26 March, 2024.
26 MEN INDIA SWUAD
GOALKEEPERS : Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Vishal Kaith.
DEFENDERS : Akash Mishra, Mehtab Singh, Rahul Bheke, Nikhil Poojary, Subhasish Bose, Anwar Ali, Amey Ranawade, Jay Gupta.
MIDFIELDERS : Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Liston Colaco, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Sahal Abdul Samad, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Deepak Tangri, Lalengmawia Ralte, Imran Khan.
FORWARDS : Sunil Chhetri, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manvir Singh, Vikram Partap Singh.
WORLD CUP 2026 & ASIAN CUP 2027 JOINT QUALIFIER
21.11.2023 : INDIA 0-3 QATAR (FT)
QATAR : Mustafa Tarek(4'), Almoez Ali (47'), Yusuf Abdurisag (88')
INDIA : Amrinder Singh, Nikhil Poojary, Rahul Bheke, Sandesh Jhingan (Lalchungnunga), Subhasish Bose, Anirudh Thapa (Sahal Samad), Suresh Wangjam, Lalengmawia(Naorem Mahesh), Udanta Singh, Lallianzula Chhnagte(Ishan Pandita), Sunil Chhetri (c)(Rahul KP).
QATAR : Meshaal Barsham, Pedro Miguel, Ahmed Fathy, Hassan Haydos (c)(Mohammed Albayti), Akram Afif, Lucas Mendes, Homan Ahmed, Boualem Khoukhi, Almoez Ali, Tamim Mansour, Mustafa Tarek(Mohammed Muntari).
REFEREE : Sivakorn Pu Udom (Thailand)
90+4': FINAL SCORE: INDIA 0-3 QATAR
90': 4 minutes added time.
86': GOAL........... Qatar now leading by 3-0, A cross from Mohammed Albayti from the left and Yusuf Abdurisag scored with a perfect header between Rahul Bheke and Nikhil Poojary.
82': Akram Afif was trying to find his way just outside the 18 yards of a pass from Mohammed Muntari, but Sandesh Jhingan blocked the area and Nikhil Poojary cleared the ball.
77': Chance for Qatar.......Mohammed Muntari's shot from age of the 18 yards of a pass from Yusuf Abdurisag went ocer the cross bar.
73': Mahesh Singh received a pass from Sahal Samad between the the two Qatar defenders inside the 18 yards, but his shot went wide.
69': India trying to came back in the match, had some good moves in the second session but still to create any impact in Qatar defense.
65': India missed a easy opportunity..........A forward pass from Suresh Wanjam finds Sahal Samad in a open space inside the 18 yards, but his push went wide of the target.
62': A forward pass from Aniruddh Thapa to Noarem Mahesh but his forward pass was cleared by Qatar defense.
60': A cross pass from Lalrinzualla Chhangte of a forward pass from Sunil Chetri, but the ball was claered by Qatar defense.
57': A forward pass from Akram Afif to Almoez Ali, but a timely tackel from Sandesh Jhingan saved the situation.
54': Akram Afif was brought down inside the 18 yards by Suresh Wangjam, Qatar appealed for a penalty, denied by the Referee.
51': Qatar continued to play the attacking role pressing hard in Indian defense.
47': GOAL.......... Qatar leading by 2-0, A shot from Akram Afif was partially saved by Amrinder Singh, and unmarked Almoez Ali pushed the ball in almost open goal.
46': Second session starts.
AT HALF TIME: INDIA 0-1 QATAR
45': 2 minutes added time.
42': Sunil Chetri earned a loose ball in Qatar defense and passed the ball to unmarked Aniruddh Thapa, but Aniruddh failed to utilise the situation and shoots wide.
40': A cross from Lalrinzualla Chhangte from the left of a pass from Subasish Bose but the ball was cleared by Homam Amhed as Udanta Singh was rushing for the ball.
35': Chance for India.......A pass from Aniruddh Thapa from the right of a pass from Udanta Singh but Lalengmawia shoots high over the cross bar.
32': It was a complete dominance by Qatar since the kick off, India yet to create any positive chance .
30': Moustafa Tarek's header of a corner from from Akram Afif saved brilliantly by Amrinder Singh.
26': Akram Afif snatched a ball from Suresh Wanjam covered a long space but he was blocked by Rahul Bheke finally.
24': Akram Afif received a forward pass from Tameem Mansour from the left beat Nikhil Poojary in speed but his shot was saved by Amrinder Singh.
22': A lob from Udanta Singh to Lalrinzualla Chhangte down the left but the ball rolled over the touch line.
19': A cross from the right by Hasan Haydos but Lucas Mendez's header missed the target.
16': YELLOW CARD to Sandesh Jhingan, rough play against Hasan Haydos.
14': A lob from Hasan Haydos from the middle to Akram Afif but a timely tackel from Sandesh saved the situation.
12': Lalrinzualla Chhangte got past his marker from the left of a pass from Suresh, but Qatar defense in control of the situation.
9': Akram Afif got past Sandesh Jhingan from the left was about to send a cross pass but Nikhil clears the ball.
7': Qatar continued to create pressure in Indian defense.
4': GOAL.......... Qatar had the early lead 1-0, A total miscommunication between the Indian footballers inside the 18 yards, Udanta fails to clear the ball and Moustafa Tarek ulilize the opportunity and places the ball at the far corner of the net.
2': A wrong pass from Amrinder finds Almoez Ali just outside the 18 yards, Ali sends a low cross to Akram Afif but he shoots wide.
0': Match started at Kalinga stadium.
0': Teams are walking inside the playing arena, Match will start soon.
PREVIEW: India will face the challenge of the Asian champion Qatar at a full house Kalinga stadium at Bhubaneswar on Tuesday evening in their second match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2. India defeated Kuwait by a solitary goal scored by Manvir Singh in their first match of Group A at an away encounter. Incidentally India and Qatar won their first match are on 3 points, though Qatar is enjoying the better goal advantage.
IGOR STIMAC IN PRE MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE
"It's a game, where there is nothing to lose for us but a lot to win for. So let's go for it all out. We cannot control the external factors. We can only control our performances at the individual level and as a team. The only thing for us to do is to give our best for 90 minutes when the first whistle sounds."
HEAD TO HEAD
TOTAL MATCHES: 3
INDIA WON: 0
QATAR WON: 2
DRAWN: 1
PREVIOUS RECORDS
27th September 1996: QATAR 6-0 INDIA
10th Sempember 2019: INDIA 0-0 QATAR
03rd June 2021: INDIA 0-1 QATAR
“We have analysed Qatar from every angle and position and know very well what they are capable of in terms of speed and strength. Their defensive and offensive positions are immaculate, which they demonstrated against Afghanistan by scoring eight goals. They could well have scored eight more. It is going to be very difficult and I just want the boys to enjoy their game in the next match. The first and bigger part was accomplished by winning against Kuwait, now I want the boys not to take any pressure and show their quality against Qatar.”
The match will kick off at 7 pm at will be telecasted live at Sports 18 and Jio Cinema.
KUWAIT VS INDIA - 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP QLF AFC
16.11.2023 : KUWAIT 0-1 INDIA (KUW - FT )
INDIA : Manvir Singh 75'
KUWAIT : Abdul Rahman, Hasan Alanezi, Khaled Ibrahim, Fahad Alhajeri, Sultan Alenezi, Redha Abujabarah, Mobarak Alfaneni, Shabaib Alkhaldi, Athbi Saleh, Mohsen Ghareeb, Mohammad Abdullah
INDIA : Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Rahul Bheke, Sandesh Jhingan, Akash Mishra, Nikhil Poojary, ,Suresh Singh, Lalengmawia, Sunil Chhetri, Sahal Abdul Samad (Aniruddh Thapa) , Naorem Mahesh Singh (Lallianzuala Chhangte.), Manvir Singh( Liston Colaso)
REFEREE : Shuan Evans (Australia)
FULL TIME : India win away against kuwait 1-0
90+4': RED CARD TO Faisal Al Harbi OF KUWAIT.
90': 5 minutes added time.
85': 1-0 is the score line.in favor of India.
80: Save of Gurpreet from Kuwait's Mohammed Abdullah's attack.
75': GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL : 1-0 LEADING INDIAN THROUGH A BRILLIANT GOAL OF MANVIR ING WHO GOT A LEFT SIDED CROSS FROM Chhangte,.
70': SHOT OF SURESH SINGH WENT OVER KUWAIT BAR POST.
45': 2 MINUTE ADDED.
27': CHANCE TO INDIA FROM A FREE KICK OF SAHAL SAMAD BUT BALL WELL COLLECTED BY KUWAIT KEEPER.
25': 0-0 is the score line.
19': CHANCE FOR SUNIL - His shot hits the roof of side net from a cross of Nikhil.
WORST LOSS OF INDIA : 14.11.2010 - India 1-9 Kuwait
Kuwait - Al-Mutawa-4,Yousef Naser Al Sulaiman, Jarah Al Ateeqi, Fahad Al Enezi, Khaled Khalaf, Hammad Naif Al Enezi
India- Mohammed Rafi
BEST WIN OF INDIA : 05.11.2004 : India (3-2) Kuwait - Int. Friendly
IND - Tomba Singh, Jerry Zirsanga, Abhishek Yadav
--------
17.12.1978 : India (1-6) Kuwait - Asian Games
05.11.2004 : India (3-2) Kuwait - Int. Friendly
14.11.2010 : India (1-9) Kuwait - Int. Friendly
27.06.2023 : India (1-1) Kuwait - (SAFF) Champ
04.07.2023 : India (1-1, 5-4) Kuwait - (SAFF) Champ
INDIA'S PERFORMANCE OF 2022 QATAR WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION - 3RD PLACE GR-E
05/09/2019 : India ( 1–2 ) Oman
10/09/2019 : Qatar ( 0–0 ) India
15/11/2019 : India ( 1–1 ) Bangladesh
14/11/2019 : Afghanistan ( 1–1 ) India
19/11/2019 : Oman ( 1–0 ) India
03/06/2021 : India ( 0–1 ) Qatar
07/06/2021 : Bangladesh ( 0–2 ) India
15/06/2021 : India ( 1–1 ) Afghanistan
