India vs Afghanistan: Blue Tigers Aim for Historic Victory in World Cup Qualifier
India vs Afghanistan: Blue Tigers Aim for Historic Victory in World Cup Qualifier
India will face Afghanistan in a crucial Group A match of the second round of the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, March 26. The match, which will also serve as the second round of the Asian Football Confederation Championship Qualifier, will be played at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Guwahati.
This match holds immense significance for India, as captain Sunil Chhetri is set to make his 150th international appearance. Chhetri, India’s all-time leading scorer, will become only the second Indian player to reach this milestone.
India’s qualification hopes received a setback after their 1-1 draw in the away leg against Afghanistan last week. The Blue Tigers currently sit second in the group with four points from three games, one point ahead of Kuwait.
To advance to the third round, India must secure a positive result against Afghanistan. A win would put them in a strong position, while a draw would keep their hopes alive. However, a loss would virtually eliminate India from contention.
India have never reached the third round of the World Cup Qualifiers, and this match represents a historic opportunity for them to make history. The Blue Tigers have shown resilience and determination in recent matches, and they will be eager to put in a strong performance in front of their home crowd.
Afghanistan, on the other hand, will be looking to build on their impressive performance in the first leg. They currently sit third in the group with three points from three games and will be confident of causing an upset in Guwahati.
The match is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams desperate for a positive result. India will be relying on the experience of Chhetri and the support of their home crowd, while Afghanistan will be looking to exploit India’s defensive vulnerabilities.