India's FIFA World Cup qualifier against Kuwait to be played in Kolkata

India’s all-important FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier against Kuwait will be played in Kolkata. As per a report published by The Times of India, All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey has agreed to India football team coach Igor Stimac’s request to host the fixture against Kuwait, scheduled to take place on June 6, in Kolkata.

“The (national) coach had suggested Kolkata due to home support for such a crucial game. I have assured him that if he thinks hosting the game in Kolkata will provide great home advantage, he can consider this as done,” Chaubey told The Times of India following an executive committee meeting in Itanagar yesterday.

The venue in Kolkata can accommodate around 66,000 people. Stimac had previously expressed his desire to play the game at a stadium where the supporters can turn out be a key factor. “The big crowd can push us to victory,” Stimac had earlier told the technical committee of the AIFF.

AIFF initially wanted Hyderabad to hold the game between India and Kuwait and president Chaubey even held discussions with the chief minister Revanth Reddy. The Telangana chief minister had vowed to make Gachibowli venue a FIFA standard stadium but with not much time left now, AIFF had to make a decision soon.

“Hyderabad has a strong football legacy, but since the Afro Asian Games (2003), the city has not hosted international football. I met the chief minister and he was happy to help with the stadium infrastructure. I am sure Hyderabad can be a good venue for India matches (in the future),” Chaubey said.

FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: What India need to do against Afghanistan

The Indian football team currently find themselves at the third spot in Group A of the second round of the World Cup qualifiers. Having played two matches so far in the round, Stimac’s men have recorded one win and a loss. India scripted an away win against Kuwait but conceded a home defeat at the hands of Qatar. The top two sides in this round are set to qualify for the next stage of the World Cup qualifiers and directly for the Asian Cup, scheduled to be held in 2027.

In their next match, India will be up against Afghanistan in an away fixture of the World Cup qualifiers on March 22.