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FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: India's litmus test against Qatar, apart from Sunil Chhetri, goalkeeper Gurpreet will have a big responsibility
India vs Qatar FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC qualifiers match: India defeated Kuwait 1-0 in the first match of the qualifiers, so the team's morale is high. This match is on home ground, so the Indian team will give tough competition to the guests. Four years ago, India played a goalless draw against Qatar in the second round of qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup played in 2019.
Today is a big day for the Indian football team. After defeating Kuwait 1-0 in the first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the team will now take the field against Qatar. The team will have to win this match to be played at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar at any cost. This is the toughest challenge India faces in Group A.
India defeated Kuwait 1-0 in the first match of the qualifiers, so the team's morale is high. This match is on home ground, so the Indian team will give tough competition to the guests. Four years ago, India played a goalless draw against Qatar in the second round of qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup played in 2019. Qatar was in tremendous form at that time and had won the Asia Cup title in early 2019. In such a situation, India surprised everyone by drawing the match. Even today fans expect a similar performance from the Indian team.
Interestingly, Indian captain and veteran player Sunil Chhetri did not play in that match played in 2019. Chhetri was out of the match due to injury. But today Chhetri is fully ready to make a splash. In such a situation, he will have to take a big responsibility.
