Igor Stimac names 23-member squad for Qatar vs India match in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

Indian Men's football team head coach Igor Stimac announced a 23-member squad for the upcoming Qatar vs India match in FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2.

After their goalless draw against Kuwait in Kolkata, India will have to win or draw the match against Qatar to qualify for the third round. This will be the first time in many years, that the Blue Tigers will be playing without their most capped player Sunil Chhetri, who retired from International football in the last match against Kuwait.

Team India will board the flight to Doha from Kolkata on Saturday and will face the two-time Asian Champions on June 11, 2024, at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan.

India's scenario to qualify for third round

1. If India beat Qatar: Even if the Indian football team beat Qatar, India will have to maintain a better goal difference than Afghanistan or Kuwait. Both Afghanistan and Kuwait will face each other on the same day.
2. If India draw against Qatar: If the Indian football team draw against Qatar, they will have to pray that Afghanistan versus Kuwait also ends in a draw. 
3. If India lose against Qatar: Irrespective of the result from Afghanistan vs Kuwait, if India face defeat against Qatar, they will be knocked out of the tournament. 

India's 23-member squad for the FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Qatar:

Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Vishal Kaith.

Defenders: Anwar Ali, Jay Gupta, Mehtab Singh, Narender, Nikhil Poojary, Rahul Bheke.

Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Edmund Lalrindika, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Liston Colaco, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Nandhakumar Sekar, Sahal Abdul Samad, Suresh Singh Wangjam.

Forwards: Manvir Singh, Rahim Ali, Vikram Partap Singh, David Lalhlansanga.