Doha: A crucial Preliminary Joint Qualifiers Round 2 match, in which a victory offers India the chance to make history by qualifying for both the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup 2027, will be held on Tuesday against the Asian champions, Qatar.
Never before in the times gone by could India make the Round 3 of the World Cup qualifiers. Their hopes are still alive this time, but have a mountain task ahead of them.
India have had a lukewarm qualification campaign for the World Cup thus far, with a 1-0 victory away in Kuwait giving them a lot of hope, before draws against Afghanistan (0-0 away) and Kuwait (0-0 at home), and defeats against Qatar (0-3 at home) and Afghanistan (1-2 at home) left them in a vulnerable position.
While they are still second in Group A with five points from as many matches, they must now ensure a result against the reigning champions of the AFC Asian Cup 2023, and hope for a favourable scoreline in the match between Kuwait and Afghanistan, later in the day.
If they get a draw against their hosts, the Blue Tigers will hope for the same in the game between Kuwait and Afghanistan. The equation will be simpler for India if they defeat Qatar, however, though the task of achieving that feat is anything but elementary.
India vs Qatar timing: India vs Qatar will commence on Tuesday at 9:15 PM IST.
India vs Qatar match venue: India vs Qatar will be played at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar.
Broadcasting details: The match between India and Qatar will not be broadcasted in India.
Live Streaming details: India vs Qatar will be live-streamed on FanCode app and website.
India's 23-member squad for the FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Qatar:
Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Vishal Kaith.
Defenders: Anwar Ali, Jay Gupta, Mehtab Singh, Narender, Nikhil Poojary, Rahul Bheke.
Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Edmund Lalrindika, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Liston Colaco, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Nandhakumar Sekar, Sahal Abdul Samad, Suresh Singh Wangjam.
Forwards: Manvir Singh, Rahim Ali, Vikram Partap Singh, David Lalhlansanga.
Source: IANS