The All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced on Monday (June 17) its decision to sack head coach Igor Stimac. The decision brought an end to the Croatian’s five-year stint as the head coach of the senior men’s Indian national team.
“Noting the disappointing outcome of the Senior Men’s National Team’s FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification campaign, the members unanimously agreed that a new Head Coach would be best placed to take the team forward,” the AIFF statement read after a meeting charied by Vice President NA Haris.
“A notice of termination has been issued to Mr. Stimac by the AIFF Secretariat, and he stands relieved of his obligations with immediate effect. The AIFF thanks Mr. Stimac for his service to the National Team and wishes him well in his future endeavours,” the statement added.
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It is pertinent to note that Stimac’s job has been under threat for a good part of 2024. He was in charge of a team at the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar where India lost three matches, conceded six goals and failed to score a single one.
While he was backed with the hope that he would be able to turn it around with the Blue Tigers in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers that was not to be as India failed to make it to the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, only managing two points from four matches in 2024. India only managed to find the back of the net twice in these matches.

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After India’s disappointing performance, Stimac wanted to stay but the AIFF has cleared its stance that they looking beyond him. Overall, the 56-year-old led India in 53 matches, winning 19 of them, drawing 14 and losing 20.

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