India’s Path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Hope Still Alive Despite Afghanistan Loss
The dream of playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, an expanded tournament with more opportunities for Asian teams, remains alive for India. However, a recent 1-2 defeat to Afghanistan has made their qualification path trickier.
Understanding the Qualification Process
The qualification process involves a series of rounds:
Round 2: Top two teams from each group progress to Round 3 and secure a spot in the AFC Asian Cup.
Round 3: Top two teams from each group qualify for the World Cup.
Rounds 4 & 5: Remaining teams battle for the remaining World Cup spots through playoffs.
India's Current Situation
India sits second in Group A of the second round, with a crucial advantage in goal difference over Afghanistan despite the loss. To progress to the third round and inc...