A do-or-die contest for the Blue Tigers was highlighted by a controversial “ghost goal” which ultimately sealed India’s fate for the 2026 World Cup. The 2-1 defeat for Igor Stimac’s men saw them finish third in their qualifying group while Kuwait and Qatar advanced to the next round of qualifiers.
It was a night to remember for Indian football fans for all the wrong reasons on Tuesday (June 11) evening after their side lost 2-1 to Qatar in the FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifier. A do-or-die contest for the Blue Tigers was highlighted by a controversial “ghost goal” which ultimately sealed their fate for the 2026 World Cup. The defeat for Igor Stimac’s men saw them finish third in their qualifying group while Kuwait and Qatar advanced to the next round of qualifiers.
Disgusting officiating today as Qatar is awarded a goal that clearly shouldn’t have counted. The goal could’ve costed India 🇮🇳 a third round WC qualification.
This isn’t the first team Qatar has been favoured by the referees.
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Needing to win the match to progress to the next round, India were leading 1-0 until the 73rd minute in the backyard of the Asian champions when the controversial moment took place. Yousef Aymen’s header in the 73rd minute was saved by goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh denying the Qataris an equaliser. During the play, Gurpreet’s ricochet with the Qatar attacker saw the ball go behind the line for a goal kick. Footage gathered from various angles from several cameras in the stadium saw the ball clearly cross the line for a goal kick.
However, the ball was picked up by Al Hassan and passed to Aymen who scored from a tap-in. India players including the goalkeeper thought a goal kick would be awarded and the goal would be ruled out. The referee instead went to his assistant and after a brief chat awarded the goal to Qatar which proved crucial to their comeback.
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Since there was no Video Assistant Referee (VAR), the on-field referee’s decision stood and the goal was confirmed. Replays and several camera footage would later confirm that the ball had crossed the line and the goal should have been chalked off.
Before the goal was scored, India were second in the Group A standings and were on the brink of progression to the third round of the FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. But a late winning goal for Qatar in the 85th for Qatar and another for Kuwait in their qualifier against Afghanistan sealed India’s fate. Kuwait won 1-0 while India lost 2-1 which meant India finished third and will now have to wait for the 2030 FIFA World Cup qualifiers for another shot.
