India coach Igor Stimac's bold prediction ahead of FIFA World Cup qualifiers vs Afghanistan

India head coach Igor Stimac is confident that the Blue Tigers will for the first time qualify for the third round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Stimac recently named a list of 35 probables for the home and away fixtures against Afghanistan in the second round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 Preliminary joint qualifications. Indian football team are currently placed in second position in Group A of the second round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. In their next match, the Blue Tigers will be up against Afghanistan in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers on March 22. Ahead of the Afghanistan fixture, Stimac was asked how confident he was about guiding the side to the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

“I am looking you in the eye and telling you that we will qualify for the third round of the World Cup”, said Stimac during an interaction with RevSportz. “In May, the ISL will be over. There will be no football here at the club level. I will get my players for a long camp. And I know that at the end of the camp, they will be flying. The four-week camp is exactly what we need before the hugely important game against Kuwait in Kolkata.

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“And I can assure you there will be no stopping us. Each time we had a long camp, the results are there for all to see. We have played excellent football with all my players in top shape. Last year, we won the three back- to- back tournaments we (India) looked the fitter and better side each time we stepped out. That’s what a long camp, together, can do. June will be no different ahead of the games against Kuwait and Qatar,” the Croat added.

India kicked off their second round of the World Cup qualifiers campaign with an away win against Kuwait in November last year. Manvir Singh had scored the solitary goal of that fixture. India, however, conceded a defeat in their next qualifying fixture at the hands of Qatar. Stimac’s men suffered a 0-3 defeat against the Asian giants in Bhubaneswar.

World Cup Qualifiers: India's campaign so far and what they need to do against Afghanistan

India’s second and games against Afghanistan will take place on 22 and 26 March. Following the two games against Afghanistan, India will be up against Kuwait in a home fixture scheduled to be played on June 6.

The top two sides will be eligible to advance to the World Cup qualifying third round and reach the Asian Cup 2027. The third and fourth-placed sides will qualify for the third round of the Asian Cup qualifiers.