India host Afghanistan looking to consolidate second spot

The Indian soccer staff will look to solidify their place within the second spot of Group A within the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers once they face Afghanistan on the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Tuesday.

The Blue Tigers are aiming to rebound after a disappointing draw towards the Lions of Khorasan of their first-leg conflict on the Damac Stadium in Saudi Arabia. Regardless of a strong begin with a 1-0 win over Kuwait, India confronted a setback with a 0-3 loss to Qatar of their second match again in November earlier than their recreation towards Afghanistan. 

Kuwait’s latest defeat to Qatar propelled India to the second spot within the standings. The Blue Tigers are solely behind Qatar of their group, who sit on prime of the standings with an ideal document, having recorded three wins in as many video games.  

A victory on Tuesday would bolster India’s place, probably bringing their tally to seven factors. With Kuwait going through one other powerful problem towards Qatar on Wednesday, India has a chance to widen the hole in factors. 

In the meantime, Afghanistan, buoyed by their latest draw towards India, will search their first win within the qualifiers after heavy defeats of their opening matches to Qatar and Kuwait. Nonetheless, securing a win towards Afghanistan is significant for India’s qualification hopes for the third spherical, a milestone but to be achieved. Moreover, a spot within the prime two of the group ensures automated qualification for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, including additional significance to the upcoming match.

FIFA Rankings

India: 117

Afghanistan: 158

India prolonged their winless streak to 5 video games after being held to a draw towards Afghanistan. Their final victory dates again to the World Cup qualifier opener towards Kuwait in November. Within the upcoming match, India will as soon as once more confront Afghanistan, who stay the lowest-ranked staff of their qualifying group. A triumph for both facet on this essential encounter may notably improve their rankings.

Kind Information

Afghanistan: DLLWW

Afghanistan have registered their first level in Group A however stays the only real winless staff, at the moment occupying the underside place within the desk. Previous to their latest draw towards India, they endured substantial losses towards formidable opponents similar to Qatar and Kuwait. Their final victory dates again to the primary spherical of qualifiers towards Mongolia. Drawing motivation from their latest stalemate towards India, Afghanistan will probably be aiming to capitalise on extra factors of their upcoming conflict in Guwahati.

India: DLLLL

Enjoying on their house turf, India will probably be desirous to reverse their fortunes following a winless streak spanning their final 5 matches. This contains three group stage encounters on the AFC Asian Cup the place they suffered defeats towards Australia, Uzbekistan, and Syria. 

A major concern for India has been their lacklustre assault, failing to search out the again of the online of their previous 5 fixtures. The final time the Blue Tigers scored was throughout their slim 1-0 victory over Kuwait. Stimac will probably be hoping to see his staff return to profitable kind, buoyed by the help of passionate followers and the benefit of enjoying at house.

Key Battles

Jabra Sharza vs Anwar Ali

Ali, who just lately made his return to the Indian squad within the match towards Afghanistan following his restoration from damage, will take cost of organising the Indian defence alongside Rahul Bheke. 

Within the earlier qualifier recreation, Ali displayed a strong defensive efficiency, contributing to India’s build-up play whereas sustaining solidity on the again. He’ll as soon as once more face off towards Jabra Sharza, who performs within the Swedish third-division.

Sharza got here near scoring towards India with a robust shot on the right track, solely to be thwarted by goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. The battle between Ali and Sharza guarantees to be intriguing, as each gamers excel in duels whereas being formidable aerially too.

Zohib Amiri vs Vikram Partap Singh

Singh will probably be eager to trigger harm, having endured a troublesome recreation throughout India’s latest conflict towards Afghanistan. Within the earlier encounter in Saudi Arabia, Singh showcased glimpses of his potential, demonstrating his attacking prowess within the penalty space and creating alternatives for his teammates. 

The 22-year-old ahead, who has been in effective goal-scoring kind for Indian Tremendous League (ISL) membership Mumbai Metropolis FC, will probably be keen to copy his success on the worldwide stage. 

Nonetheless, he faces a formidable problem in Afghanistan’s skilled central defender, Zohib Amiri. Alongside Shareef Muhammad, Amiri performed a pivotal function in organising Afghanistan’s defence, irritating India’s attacking efforts regardless of their inventive play. As Singh, a promising teenager, goes head-to-head towards the seasoned Amiri, the battle between the 2 guarantees to be charming.

Match particulars

Fixture: India vs Afghanistan

Date: Tuesday, March 26

Venue: Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati, India

Time: 07:00 PM IST