 "CAFA Nations Cup: How India qualified for the playoffs and who they will face next")
Despite a spiritless draw against Afghanistan, the Indian football team has qualified for the playoffs in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025. This will give the 133rd-ranked India one more game to prepare for the two crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers against Singapore in October.
Having beaten higher-ranked Tajikistan in their opening match of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, Khalid Jamil’s Blue Tigers were the favourites to win the final Group B encounter against 161st Afghanistan. But the Gurpreet Singh Sandhu-led side’s toothless attack was laid bare by The Lions of Khorasan.
Afghanistan dominated all important stats against India, from ball possession to shots. Nonetheless, they could not eke out a win as the match ended in a 0-0 drab draw, keeping India’s hopes alive for the playoffs.
How India reached CAFA Nations Cup playoffs?
As per the tournament rules, the group winner would qualify for the final, while the second-placed team advances to the third-place playoffs. Iran were guaranteed of reaching the final after India’s draw as they had already won their first two matches, but Tajikistan was fighting for the second place with the Blue Tigers.
The 2-2 draw between Iran and Tajikistan later on Thursday at the Hisor Central Stadium ensured that India qualified for the third-place playoff. While both India and Tajikistan ended the group stage with four points, the Blue Tigers qualified as a result of having a better head-to-head record against hosts Tajikistan.
India will fight for third place in the #CAFANationsCup2025 🥉
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) September 4, 2025
8 Sep: 🇮🇳🆚🇺🇿/🇴🇲/🇰🇬/🇹🇲
The #BlueTigers will discover their opponents tomorrow after Group A finishes 🔜#IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/nvn3DLb8A8
India had beaten Tajikistan 2-1 in the first group game.
Who will India face in CAFA Nations Cup playoffs?
The Indian team will face the second-placed side from Group A. Currently, Oman and Uzbekistan are tied at the top with four points each, and they also share the same goal difference of +1. With one point each, Turkmenistan and the Kyrgyz Republic are third and fourth, respectively.
Oman take on Turkmenistan on Friday in the final Group A game, while Uzbekistan face the Kyrgyz Republic. Both matches will take place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
The results of these games will determine who India’s opponent will be in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 third-place playoff.
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