India's Qualification Scenario in FIFA World Cup 2026 After Draw Against Kuwait in Kolkata

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India's Qualification Scenario in FIFA World Cup 2026: India end their do-or-die match in a goalless draw against Kuwait in front of home fans in Kolkata on June 6. The Blue Tigers created many chances but failed to convert any of them.

Some were so unfortunate that those cost them the match. They now have very little chances of progressing to the next round. At the end of this eventful draw, India are still holding on to their spot in second place in the group with five points.

Whereas, Afghanistan are in third place and Kuwait are in fourth place with same four points in the bag. India will now have to keep looking towards their neighbours for a favourable result.

The only two scenarios where India will progress to the third round is if they win against Qatar. If they don't win they will have to at least get a draw against Qatar while hoping that Afghanistan play out a draw in their match against Kuwait. A win for either Afghanistan or Kuwait in this case will see India’s journey end in the second round.

India’s next match against Qatar is set to be played on June 11. They will soon travel to Doha for their last match of the second round. Qatar is the toughest opponent in the group and getting a win against them will almost be impossible.

Qatar are sitting at the top of the group table with all wins from all of their games so far. The last time the two teams met was back on November 23 last year. They ran a riot on that day and it's hard to imagine that that will not repeat, especially in the absence of the captain Sunil Chhetri.

Even though as Chhetri said he will be in the stands to support the team for every match, India will dearly miss their skipper in the field leading them. India displayed some inspired gameplay against Kuwait. However, even that gameplay may not be enough against Qatar.