FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
(Courtesy : AIFF)
Waseem
Igor Stimac is currently busy readying the Indian men’s national team for the vital upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers clashes with Kuwait and Qatar on 6 June and 11 June 2024, respectively. The head coach has a lot of pressure on his back as he looks to guide the Blue Tigers to the third and final round of the AFC region’s World Cup Qualifiers and a berth in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
To do so, Igor Stimac must motivate his players to produce positive results against Kuwait and Qatar in the forthcoming fixtures. He needs to guide the Indian players to a minimum second-place finish in Group A of the second round of the Asian qualifiers that would earn them qualification into the next round. While the fans are expectedly nervous ahead of the two crucial clashes, Igor Stimac’s record against Kuwait in particular can be confidence-inducing.
Igor Stimac has given the nod to plenty of attackers in the 27-member squad. There are five forwards which have been finalised, offering a lot of competition for that role. India is also stacked in terms of wide attackers. The onus will be on the likes of Lallianzuala Chhangte, Liston Colaco and co. to deliver attacking returns after having a decent domestic campaign in the Indian Super League.
Here is a look at how the manager has fared in the past against Kuwait, one of India’s direct competitors for a top-two finish in Group A of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (second round):
Total Matches Played – 3
Wins – 2
Draws – 1
Losses – 0
Goals For – 8
Goals Conceded – 6
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