Can India qualify for FIFA World Cup 2026

The Indian men's football team finished third in Group A of the FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC qualifiers second round after losing 2-1 to Asian champions Qatar in their final match of the qualifying campaign on June 11.

To progress to the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026, India had to finish in the top two of Group A in the second round. The teams that made it to the third round of the AFC World Cup qualifiers also earned a direct qualification to the AFC Asian Cup 2027 in Saudi Arabia.

India finished third in Group A of the second round with just one win in six games. Thus, the Indian football team will not be able to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America.

India have never played in a FIFA World Cup to date.

FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC qualifiers 2nd round Group A standings

Heading into the final round of fixtures, India, Afghanistan and Kuwait all had a chance of securing the second spot. Kuwait beat Afghanistan 1-0 in the final Group A matchday and joined Qatar in the third round.

For the Indian football team, the simplest way forward was to beat Qatar outright in their final match. Three points from the match would have taken India’s points tally to eight.

India, 121st in the FIFA Rankings, almost pulled off the Herculean task against world No. 34 Qatar.

Lallianzuala Chhangte’s strike in the 37th minute gave the underdogs a surprise lead but the Asian champions regrouped and struck twice in the second half to secure the victory.

A draw against Qatar would have taken India’s points tally to six but that too would have proved insufficient following Kuwait’s win over Afghanistan.

India have now been relegated to the third round of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, where they will fight for continental qualification.