Igor Stimac: Let's stop talking about AFC Asian Cup, it's not our priority

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Known for not mincing his words, Indian football coach Igor Stimac made it clear after India's 0-3 loss to Qatar in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday (November 22) that his team is prioritising the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2024.

Tuesday's FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers loss was the last match India played before their opening Group B match of AFC Asian Cup 2024 against tournament favourites Australia on January 13. Coach Igor Stimac, however, shunned any discussion on the match.

"Let's stop talking about Asian Cup," said Igor Stimac at the post-match press conference. "We didn't get what we wanted (four-week national camp before the tournament). I was very clear that if you give me time, I might show results, but without the time, don't ask about results. I will go there with pride to represent India with our boys, but 12-13 days are nothing to prepare for the Asian Cup."

To rejig readers' minds, the 56-year-old Croatian requested for a four-week national camp before the AFC Asian Cup 2026 but Indian top-tier clubs refused to release their key players midway through the season and only agreed to a month-long break for the AFC Asian Cup, including a two-week break for preparations. Stimac, however, reiterated that the time provided isn't enough and prefer not risking injuries to his player at the tournament.

"Knowing that we're not gonna get enough time for the Asian Cup, I don't consider the Asian Cup such an important tournament for us. And I don't want my players to get injured there. That's all I am gonna take care of because group stage games against such big opponents like Australia, Uzbekistan and Syria, we might do something and we are going to fight and leave everything on the pitch but I am not worried about it," said Stimac.

"We are going to face Uzbekistan, who are going to prepare for six weeks. I don't consider Australia (someone we can beat because) they are better than Qatar. They are out of our league but we are going to try everything we can.

Coach Igor Stimac now sees the games during the Asian Cup as a means to prepare for the upcoming matches in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian Qualifiers, where India will next play their match against Afghanistan on March 21.

"I need to make sure that we get enough points in our group for the World Cup qualifiers. So we make sure that we have another five to six home games in the third round here. And that will be a huge benefit for Indian football for the future.

"And once again to repeat, let's stay on earth, we got the most precious win in our group stages against Kuwait away. We need to make sure we get points against Afghanistan and Kuwait at home," said Igor Stimac.