does-india-still-have-a-chance-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-qualification-after-the-defeat-from-qatar | Khelostarnews

In the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification, India faced Qatar in a crucial Group A match on November 23. Despite India's historical struggles against Qatar, the team entered the game with confidence following a recent victory against Kuwait. The contest unfolded at the Bhubaneswar ground, with Qatar asserting dominance early, securing the first goal within four minutes. India, however, displayed resilience, striving to gain control and creating opportunities, including a notable chance for Apuia. At halftime, the score stood at India 0-1 Qatar.

As the second half commenced, Qatar extended its lead with Moez Ali capitalizing on a rebound to score their second goal. From this point onward, Qatar maintained control, preventing India from mounting a comeback. In the 86th minute, Abdurisag's header sealed the victory for Qatar with a 3-0 scoreline. India, despite their efforts, once again faced defeat at the hands of Qatar.

Examining the points table for India's Group A, which includes Qatar, Kuwait, and Afghanistan, India and Kuwait have each won one out of two games. In contrast, Qatar leads the group with two consecutive victories, while Afghanistan lags at the bottom after losing both matches.

Considering India's chances of advancing to the third round, the group winner and runner-up will progress to the next stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification. With Qatar virtually securing qualification with two wins, India's focus shifts to securing the second spot. Having already defeated Kuwait and with a match against Afghanistan on the horizon, India holds a promising position. Kuwait, having won only one game, faces a challenging final match against Qatar. Thus, India's path to securing the second position and advancing to the third round appears favorable.

In the aftermath of India's defeat against Qatar, the upcoming games carry heightened significance for the national football team. With the challenge of securing a win against Afghanistan to qualify for the next round, the team's resilience will be put to the test. As the football saga unfolds, stay tuned with Khelostar News for the latest sports news and updates, witnessing how India navigates the path to potential qualification in the FIFA World Cup 2026.