since we are thinking just by hearts than brain 1) somehow come 2nd in R2 behind Qatar and qualify for R3 2) somehow come 3rd in R3 and qualify for R4 3) somehow come 1st in R4
now ICP will be too tough for Asian countries. but even if we went there we get to play against top nations and lose to feel the pain.
Bhubaneswar and Guwahati will be venues for India's first two home matches in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2.
The hosts for India’s home leg against Kuwait on June 6, 2024, will be confirmed at a later date.
Historic day for SAFF as nations shine at World Cup qualifiers
A total of three teams have joined India in Round 2 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian 2027 Joint Qualifiers
The list of results after today’s qualifiers, have drawn out a fantastic outcome for the SAFF, as out of the six teams which have competed today, a total of four teams have qualified for the second round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian 2027 Joint qualifiers.
Former Indian national team head coach Stephen Constantine helped Pakistan make history by earning the Falcons their first ever World Cup Qualifiers win, after securing a fantastic victory against Cambodia, with an aggregate score of 1-0. Having arrived earlier this month, Constantine has already delivered for the Pakistan national team, and the future seems bright for the Falcons, with the veteran Englishman at the helm.
Bangladesh also earned qualification after a hard fought game against Maldives with an aggregate scoreline of 3-2. Maldives will now compete in the playoffs of the third round of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.
Also, former Northeast United head coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese, has helped Nepal secure a place in the second round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian 2027 Joint qualifiers, with an aggregate scoreline of 2-1. They will now face UAE, Bahrain & Yemen in round 2.
202nd ranked Sri Lanka also drew 1-1 with Yemen after losing out 3-0 in the first leg, and will join Maldives in the third round playoffs of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. Bhutan on the other hand, registered a historic 2-0 win over Hong Kong, but unfortunately couldn’t qualify due to a 4-0 first leg defeat. The Dragon Boys have however qualified directly for the group stages of the third round qualifiers of the 2027 AFC Asian cup.
To add to the list of positives, current SAARC members Afghanistan, who have also previously featured in SAFF competitions, have also made it to the next round of qualifiers after a comfortable victory against Mongolia. The Afghanistan, Mongolia tie ended 2-0 in favour of Afghanistan.
Pakistan will now be placed in group G, whereas Nepal and Bangladesh will compete in group H and I respectively. India and Afghanistan are placed in the same group – A.
Here are the groups for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 tie:
Group A: Qatar, India, Kuwait, Afghanistan
Group B: Japan, Syria, North Korea, Myanmar
Group C: South Korea, China, Thailand, Singapore
Group Oman, Krygyztan, Malaysia, Chinese Taipei
Group E: Iran, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Hong Kong
Group F: Iraq, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia
Group G: Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Tajikistan, Pakistan
Group H: UAE, Bahrain, Yemen, Nepal
Group I: Australia, Palestine, Lebanon, Bangladesh
Any idea if the rift between Stimac and Apuia is gone? He has been missed in the last two tournaments. Especially against Malaysia we need that midfield presence. Hope Stimac or Apuia be a big man and hash this out. We need him for the qualifiers soon.
Comments
since we are thinking just by hearts than brain
1) somehow come 2nd in R2 behind Qatar and qualify for R3
2) somehow come 3rd in R3 and qualify for R4
3) somehow come 1st in R4
now ICP will be too tough for Asian countries. but even if we went there we get to play against top nations and lose to feel the pain.
i feel south america got too much. 1 teams should be reduced. these would have been balanced.
1) Top 5 + 1 for ICP
2) Top 6 only
There is no need for 7th place team from South america for ICP. give that slot to Asia or Africa.
Bhubaneswar, Guwahati to host India’s first two FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
https://khelnow.com/football/2023-09-indian-football-team-fifa-world-cup-qualifiers-host-bhubaneswar-guwahatiBhubaneswar and Guwahati will be venues for India's first two home matches in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2.
The hosts for India’s home leg against Kuwait on June 6, 2024, will be confirmed at a later date.
Let's use this thread for all WCQ discussions including discussions on our group opponents (Qatar, Kuwait & Afghanistan)
Historic day for SAFF as nations shine at World Cup qualifiers
A total of three teams have joined India in Round 2 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian 2027 Joint Qualifiers
The list of results after today’s qualifiers, have drawn out a fantastic outcome for the SAFF, as out of the six teams which have competed today, a total of four teams have qualified for the second round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian 2027 Joint qualifiers.Former Indian national team head coach Stephen Constantine helped Pakistan make history by earning the Falcons their first ever World Cup Qualifiers win, after securing a fantastic victory against Cambodia, with an aggregate score of 1-0. Having arrived earlier this month, Constantine has already delivered for the Pakistan national team, and the future seems bright for the Falcons, with the veteran Englishman at the helm.
Bangladesh also earned qualification after a hard fought game against Maldives with an aggregate scoreline of 3-2. Maldives will now compete in the playoffs of the third round of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.
Also, former Northeast United head coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese, has helped Nepal secure a place in the second round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian 2027 Joint qualifiers, with an aggregate scoreline of 2-1. They will now face UAE, Bahrain & Yemen in round 2.
202nd ranked Sri Lanka also drew 1-1 with Yemen after losing out 3-0 in the first leg, and will join Maldives in the third round playoffs of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. Bhutan on the other hand, registered a historic 2-0 win over Hong Kong, but unfortunately couldn’t qualify due to a 4-0 first leg defeat. The Dragon Boys have however qualified directly for the group stages of the third round qualifiers of the 2027 AFC Asian cup.
To add to the list of positives, current SAARC members Afghanistan, who have also previously featured in SAFF competitions, have also made it to the next round of qualifiers after a comfortable victory against Mongolia. The Afghanistan, Mongolia tie ended 2-0 in favour of Afghanistan.
Pakistan will now be placed in group G, whereas Nepal and Bangladesh will compete in group H and I respectively. India and Afghanistan are placed in the same group – A.
Here are the groups for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 tie:
Group A: Qatar, India, Kuwait, Afghanistan
Group B: Japan, Syria, North Korea, Myanmar
Group C: South Korea, China, Thailand, Singapore
Group
Oman, Krygyztan, Malaysia, Chinese Taipei
Group E: Iran, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Hong Kong
Group F: Iraq, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia
Group G: Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Tajikistan, Pakistan
Group H: UAE, Bahrain, Yemen, Nepal
Group I: Australia, Palestine, Lebanon, Bangladesh
https://khelnow.com/football/2023-10-indian-football-world-cup-qualifiers-saff-nations