India Gears Up for FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Rematch Against Qatar: Can History Repeat Itself?

The Indian football team is bracing itself for a crucial rematch against Qatar in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, scheduled for November 21. The match, set to take place in Bhubaneswar, holds a significant place in India's football history, drawing parallels to their famous goal-less draw against Qatar in 2019.

The recent 1-0 away victory against Kuwait on November 16 has bolstered the Indian team's confidence, instilling hopes of putting up a resilient fight against the formidable Qatari side.

India's stirring performance in 2019, holding the Asian champions Qatar to a 0-0 stalemate during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in Doha, remains a pivotal moment in the nation's football narrative. Absent during that match due to illness, the talismanic captain Sunil Chhetri aims to showcase his prowess at the Kalinga Stadium this time, despite the expectation of limited scoring opportunities for the hosts against the visiting Qatar team.

Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who captained the team in the previous encounter against Qatar, faces the challenge of thwarting the relentless attacks of the Qatari side, reminiscent of his formidable performance four years ago.

Qatar, ranked 61 in the world, showcased their dominance in their recent match by overpowering Afghanistan with an 8-1 victory, setting the stage for a highly anticipated clash against the 102nd-ranked India. The Qatari team, having secured a 1-0 victory in the previous fixture against India during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, aims to continue their winning streak.

Star striker Almoez Ali, a potent threat for the Indian defense, displayed his prowess by netting four goals against Afghanistan. His ability to trouble defenses, combined with the absence of defender Anwar Ali, poses a challenge for Sandhu and veteran defender Sandesh Jhinghan.

The absence of Ali and defensive midfielder Jeakson Singh due to injuries during the Kuwait match was a setback for head coach Igor Stimac, despite India's victorious outcome. However, midfield mainstay Sahal Abdul Samad and goal-scorer Manvir Singh, who were part of the 2019 clash, aspire to make their presence felt against Qatar.

Stimac, having gained experience and understanding of the team dynamics over the past four years, remains optimistic about India's prospects against Qatar. He acknowledges the formidable nature of the Qatari team but expresses confidence in India's chance to create an impact in the upcoming match.

India, placed in Group A alongside Qatar, Kuwait, and Afghanistan, seeks to secure a spot in the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. With the top two teams from each group advancing to the next stage and also securing a place in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, India aims to script history by progressing beyond the second round, propelled by their recent triumph against Kuwait.

As India braces for this crucial encounter, the football fraternity eagerly anticipates whether the team can replicate the spirit and determination of their previous encounter with Qatar, setting the stage for another historic showdown.