“India’s World Cup Hopes Hang in the Balance After Shocking Defeat to Afghanistan”
India Left Reeling by Afghanistan as World Cup Hopes Begin to Fade Again
India’s dreams of reaching the final stages on the road to the World Cup for the first time are starting to hang by delicate threads of Assam silk. The shock 2-1 home defeat by Afghanistan in the 2026 World Cup qualification has dealt a blow to India’s aspirations. Fans in Guwahati were confident of a comfortable win against Afghanistan, a team ranked 158 in the world. However, a draw in their previous encounter and Afghanistan’s stunning victory have left India in a precarious position.
Qatar is currently leading Group A of the qualification, leaving India and Kuwait to fight for the second spot. With only two games to go, India had the opportunity to move four points clear of third place. Sunil Chhetri, the third-highest active men’s international goalscorer, gave India hope with his goal in the first half. But Afghanistan’s equalizer and last-minute winner shattered India’s chances of securing a comfortable victory.
The loss has put India’s coach, Igor Stimac, under scrutiny. Stimac, a former Derby and West Ham centre-back, has faced criticism for his team selection and a poor Asian Cup performance. Despite the setback, Stimac believes there is room for improvement in terms of intensity, minimizing mistakes, and enhancing fitness levels.
Missing out on the final 18 of qualification would be considered a major failure for India, given their progress in recent years. However, an increasing number of fans believe that Stimac has taken the team as far as he can. In the event of Stimac’s departure, Afghanistan’s coach, Ashley Westwood, has emerged as a potential replacement. Westwood, who won two Indian league titles with Bengaluru, has demonstrated his capabilities during his time with Afghanistan.
The challenges faced by the Afghanistan national team, including playing games away from home and managing a diverse squad, make their recent victory even more commendable. Despite the logistical difficulties, Westwood and his team have worked hard to achieve success.
In the remaining games, India’s World Cup hopes hang in the balance. The team must regroup and deliver strong performances to secure their place in the final stages of qualification.
