Indian Football Team Qualification Scenario for 2022 FIFA World Cup Explained

The Indian Football Team will compete in the Second Round of Qualifiers in the Road to FIFA World Cup 2022. The AFC Qualifiers began on June 6 when Mongolia took on Brunei. The second round commences on September 5 with 40 teams across 8 groups. Here is how India can progress to their long-cherished dream.

The Draw for the Second Round of Qualifiers took place on 17 July in Kuala Lumpur. Indian Football Team were in Pot 3 alongside the likes of Palestine, Bahrain and also Thailand, Tajikistan and North Korea. India were drawn in Group E. They will lock horns with Asian Champions Qatar, Gulf Cup Champions Oman. The Men in Blue will also take on neighbours Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

The 40 teams have been drawn in 8 groups. The 8 Group Winners and 4 best runners up will progress to the Third Qualifying Round. The 12 teams will also qualify for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup in China. The remaining 4 runners up, all 3rd place and 4 best 4th place teams will advance to the Asian Cup Third Qualifying Round. The remaining teams will advance to the Asian Cup Qualifying Playoff Rounds.

Igor Stimac’s men will begin their qualifying campaign on September 5 at home against Oman. Indian Football Team had also opened their campaign against Oman at home in 2015. The match at Bangalore ended 2-1 in favour of the visitors. Sunil Chhetri scored India’s solitary goal on that night. Oman also won the return leg in Muscat 3-0. However, the last meeting between the two sides ended goalless in a friendly last December.

The toughest ask for the Blue Tigers will be their matches against Asian Champions Qatar. However, as per reports, there appears a silver lining for India in the form of it. The AFC Qualifiers act as a dual Qualifier for the Asian Cup and the World Cup Third Qualifying Round. Qatar are already qualified as hosts for the 2022 World Cup. The Maroons are the favourites to top group E. Thus, a second finish for the Indian Football Team will see them through to the 3rd round of World Cup Qualifiers (reportedly). The 7 times SAFF Champions will also reportedly book their tickets to China 2023 with the result.

Neighbours Afghanistan and Bangladesh will also pose stiff challenges for the 2-times Asian Games Gold Medallists.

Even though the draw has not been too easy for the Indian Football Team, it is well within the team’s abilities to progress further. Indian fans will hope for something similar from their team, especially after recent impressive performances against Thailand, Curacao and Syria.

Can the Indian Football Team make it to the Next Round of Qualifiers? Let us know in the comments below.

Reference - https://www.sports-nova.com/2019/07/22/indian-football-team-qualification-scenario-for-2022-fifa-world-cup-explained/