Football

India's national football team, the Blue Tigers, have appointed goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu as their captain for the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Qatar. The match, scheduled for Tuesday at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, is a must-win for India to keep their hopes of reaching the third round of qualifiers alive.Sandhu, with 71 caps, is the most experienced and longest-serving player in the national team after the retirement of Sunil Chhetri. Head coach Igor Stimac stated that the decision to hand the captaincy to Sandhu was a natural choice, given his leadership qualities and experience.India's squad for the match includes 23 players, with defenders Amey Ranawade, Lalchungnunga, and Subhasish Bose not traveling to Qatar. Ranawade and Lalchungnunga were released to focus on their development, while Bose was granted leave for personal reasons.Qatar, who have already qualified for the third round as group toppers, have named a young squad for the match, with 21 players under the age of 24. Despite their dominance in their previous match against Afghanistan, Qatar failed to score, highlighting India's defensive resilience.Stimac emphasized the importance of attacking transitions in the upcoming match, as India aims to create and convert scoring opportunities. The Blue Tigers will have their first practice session in Doha on Sunday evening, followed by an official training session at the match venue on Monday.A win for India would put them in a strong position to qualify for the World Cup qualifiers third round and secure a direct spot at the 2027 Asian Cup. However, a loss would eliminate them from the qualifiers, and they would have to compete in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers third round for a place at the tournament in Saudi Arabia.If India draws against Qatar, they will qualify for the third round only if the match between Kuwait and Afghanistan, which will kick off two hours later, also ends in a draw. In that scenario, India would finish second in the group with six points, the same as Afghanistan, but with a better goal difference.

Indian football head coach Igor Stimac has named a 23-member squad for India's crucial World Cup Qualifier against Qatar on June 11. The match will be India's first since the retirement of legendary captain Sunil Chhetri.Stimac has made several notable changes to the squad, most notably the omission of experienced defenders Subhasish Bose, Amey Ranawade, and Lalchungnunga. Jay Gupta has been handed a debut call-up, while Bose and Ranawade were named on the bench but did not feature in the previous match against Kuwait.India currently sits in third place in Group A with five points, behind Qatar (13 points) and Afghanistan (five points). A win against Qatar is crucial for India's hopes of advancing to the third round of the World Cup Qualifiers. A draw would also suffice if Afghanistan and Kuwait draw their match.The Blue Tigers will face a formidable challenge against Qatar, who are the reigning Asian champions. However, Stimac remains optimistic about his team's chances. "We have a good team, and we are confident that we can get a result in Qatar," he said.India's squad for the match against Qatar:Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Vishal KaithDefenders: Anwar Ali, Jay Gupta, Mehtab Singh, Narender, Nikhil Poojary, Rahul BhekeMidfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Edmund Lalrindika, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Liston Colaco, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Nandhakumar Sekar, Sahal Abdul Samad, Suresh Singh WangjamForwards: Manvir Singh, Rahim Ali, Vikram Partap Singh, David Lalhlansanga

Indian football team head coach Igor Stimac anticipates a packed Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata for the country's crucial World Cup qualification match against Kuwait on June 6. This match will also mark the final international appearance for legendary captain Sunil Chhetri.Chhetri's 19-year international career will culminate in this match, where he will retire as India's all-time leading scorer with 94 goals. He will also leave the field as the most-capped player, having played in 151 matches.A victory against Kuwait would significantly boost India's chances of reaching the third round of the World Cup qualifiers for the first time. "Considering the significance of the game, with us potentially a win away from qualifying for the third round and it being Sunil Chhetri's farewell game, we expect the Salt Lake Stadium to be packed," said Stimac."I am confident that our supporters will travel from all over India to Kolkata to support our team and bid farewell to Sunil. I am certain it will be an emotional occasion, and hopefully, we can celebrate together after the final whistle," he added.The team has been training in Kolkata for two weeks, focusing on fitness and game tactics. "The players are progressing well. A long camp has proven beneficial in the past. We are working on both offensive and defensive aspects of the game," said Stimac."Our fitness levels are improving daily, and we are now focusing on tactics. From Monday onwards, we will work on positioning, set pieces, and transitions."The Blue Tigers were initially scheduled to depart for Kolkata on June 2 but have moved their travel date to May 29 to acclimatize to the city's conditions. "It's hot and humid here, but we are enjoying every training session. The facilities and hospitality are excellent. However, we have decided to leave for Kolkata earlier to adjust to the humidity better and prepare for the crucial game," said Stimac.

India's 27-member squad for the crucial World Cup qualifying match against Kuwait on June 6 has been announced, marking the end of Sunil Chhetri's illustrious international career. The squad, selected by head coach Igor Stimac, includes notable absences due to injuries.Forward Parthib Gogoi and defender Muhammad Hammad have been ruled out after sustaining minor injuries during training. Stimac expressed his appreciation for their professionalism and hard work, emphasizing the intense competition within the team.The remaining players will continue their training in Bhubaneswar until May 29, when they will travel to Kolkata for the match against Kuwait at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. India currently sits second in Group A with four points from four matches.The top two teams in the group will advance to Round 3 of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and secure a berth at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027. Chhetri, India's all-time leading scorer with 94 goals, will retire from international football after the Kuwait match.He will leave the scene as India's most-capped player with 151 appearances, bowing out as the third-highest goal scorer among active players behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Chhetri's retirement marks the end of an era for Indian football, as he has been a symbol of the sport's growth and popularity in the country.The squad includes experienced players such as goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, defender Sandesh Jhingan, and midfielder Anirudh Thapa. Young talents like forward Rahim Ali and midfielder Jeakson Singh Thounaojam will also be looking to make their mark.India will face a tough challenge against Kuwait, who are ranked 146th in the FIFA World Rankings, 20 places above India. However, the Blue Tigers will be determined to give Chhetri a fitting farewell and secure a positive result in their quest for World Cup qualification.

British Indian Trishan Patel Joins Pakistan Football Squad as Assistant CoachTrishan Patel, a British Indian UEFA A-level coach, has been appointed as the assistant coach and performance analyst for the Pakistan football squad. The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) announced the appointment, stating that Patel will assist head coach Stephen Constantine in preparing the team for the upcoming World Cup preliminary qualifying matches in the Asia region.Patel brings a wealth of coaching experience to the Pakistan team, having previously worked with the Liverpool academy and Luton Town FC. He has also provided online coaching to the Pakistan team in the past."He will be assisting head coach Stephen Constantine in preparing the team for the World Cup preliminary qualifying matches in the Asia region," said a PFF official.Patel will be with the team for the matches against Saudi Arabia and Tajikistan. The home match against Saudi Arabia will be played on June 6, while the away game against Tajikistan is scheduled for June 11.The PFF official highlighted Patel's extensive coaching experience, noting that he has worked with some of the top clubs in England."Patel has a lot of coaching experience, having worked with the Liverpool academy and also with Luton Town FC," the official said.Patel's appointment is expected to bolster the Pakistan team's preparations for the upcoming qualifiers. The team will be aiming to secure a spot in the next round of the World Cup qualifying process.

Lalengmawia Ralte, a key midfielder for the Indian national football team, faces a potential dilemma as his university examination conflicts with India's crucial World Cup qualifier against Kuwait on June 6. The match holds immense significance as India aims to qualify for the third round of a World Cup qualifying cycle for the first time.Ralte, who has earned 18 senior team caps, has reportedly requested to be excused from the preparatory camp due to his exam. However, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has asked him to discuss the matter with head coach Igor Stimac.In addition to Ralte's potential absence, India may also miss Akash Mishra, Rahul KP, and Mohammed Yasir due to injuries. Skipper Sunil Chhetri could also join the camp later than May 10 due to a family illness.Ralte's absence would be a significant blow to India's midfield. In the recently concluded Indian Super League (ISL) season, he played a pivotal role for Mumbai City FC, boasting an 85% passing accuracy and creating 17 chances. He was named player of the match in the final against Mohun Bagan Super Giant.Mumbai City coach Petr Krakty praised Ralte's performance, saying, "Apuiah (Ralte's nickname) handled the team fantastically." He added that Ralte deserves "a bit more recognition" despite other Indian players scoring goals.India's chances of qualifying for the third round of the World Cup qualifiers hinge on the results of their matches against Kuwait and Qatar. A victory against Kuwait would boost their hopes, while a defeat could jeopardize their chances.The AIFF is hopeful that Ralte will be able to resolve the conflict between his exam and the national team's commitments. However, if he is unable to participate, India will have to find a suitable replacement to fill the void in their midfield.

India's men's football team suffered a historic low on Tuesday, losing 2-1 to Afghanistan in Guwahati. This marked the team's third consecutive defeat in three decades, a dismal record that includes losses to Pakistan in 2005 and Guam in 2015.Despite the presence of star striker Sunil Chhetri, India's performance was lackluster. The team lacked creativity and struggled to create scoring opportunities. Afghanistan, ranked 41 places below India in FIFA rankings, capitalized on India's defensive lapses to secure a smash-and-grab victory.India's poor form has raised questions about the effectiveness of head coach Igor Stimac. While Stimac has led the team to some notable victories, including an away win against Kuwait last November, his tactics and player selection have come under scrutiny.Some critics believe that Stimac has not been able to get the most out of his squad. Several key players, including goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and defender Anwar Ali, have experienced a dip in form. Additionally, there are concerns about the team's fitness and energy levels.One potential solution to India's struggles could be to allow Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card holders to represent the national team. This would provide India with access to a wider pool of talented players. However, such a move would require a change in government policy, as India currently does not permit OCI card holders to play for the national team.Despite the recent setbacks, Stimac remains optimistic about India's chances of qualifying for the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. He believes that the team can improve its performance with proper preparation and support.

India's hopes of advancing to the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers suffered a significant setback as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Afghanistan in a Group A match at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Guwahati.Sunil Chhetri, India's all-time leading scorer, gave the hosts an early lead in the 36th minute with a penalty, marking his 94th international goal in his 150th appearance for the country. However, Afghanistan regrouped in the second half and turned the tables on India.Rahmat Akbari equalized for Afghanistan in the 70th minute with a powerful drive, and Sharif Mukhammad converted a penalty in the 88th minute to seal the victory for the visitors.India's defensive approach in the second half proved costly as Afghanistan exploited gaps in the Indian defense with their high-press tactics. The Afghans' physical play also posed a challenge for India, who struggled to find a solution.Despite the defeat, India remains in contention for a third-round berth, but they will need to win their next match against Kuwait on June 6.

Afghanistan's resilience and India's attacking deficiencies played out in a stalemate as the two teams drew 0-0 in their 2026 World Cup qualifier on Friday. Despite a significant gap in FIFA rankings, Afghanistan held their ground against India, who remain winless in 2023.India, ranked 106th, controlled possession but struggled to penetrate Afghanistan's defense. Their crosses were ineffective, and their midfield lacked control. Afghanistan, ranked 158th, defended resolutely and created a few half-chances of their own.The first half was a scrappy affair, with both teams feeling aggrieved by penalty decisions that went against them. India's best chance came from Manvir Singh, who flicked a shot wide after being found by Lallianzuala Chhangte.After the break, India continued to press but lacked the finesse to break down Afghanistan's defense. Brandon Fernandes and Subhasish Bose were introduced as substitutes, but their impact was minimal.India's best opportunity came in the 80th minute from a corner-kick, but Bose headed wide. The result leaves India in second place in Group A with four points, behind leaders Qatar. Afghanistan remain bottom of the group with one point.The return fixture in Guwahati on Tuesday will be crucial for both teams. India need a win to keep their hopes of reaching the third round of World Cup qualifying alive. Afghanistan, meanwhile, will be aiming to upset the odds and secure their first victory of the campaign.