India's journey to the AFC Asian Cup 2027 in Saudi Arabia faces an uphill battle after a string of unconvincing performances in the qualifying rounds. With the qualification process doubling as the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification for Asian teams, the stakes are high, and India needs to improve its performance to secure a spot in the continental showpiece.
Currently, the Blue Tigers find themselves in a precarious position in Group C of the third round of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. After three games, India has managed to secure only two points, placing them third in the group. Their campaign began with a lackluster 0-0 draw against Bangladesh, followed by a 0-1 defeat to Hong Kong. Most recently, India salvaged a late 1-1 draw against Singapore, thanks to a 90th-minute equalizer from Rahim Ali.
The draw against Singapore, while keeping their hopes alive, exposed several vulnerabilities in the Indian team. Despite playing against 10-man Singapore for a significant portion of the second half after Sandesh Jhingan's dismissal, India struggled to create clear-cut chances and relied on a defensive error from the home side to secure the equalizer.
India's qualification path hinges on their performance in the remaining three matches. They will face Singapore again at home in Goa, followed by an away fixture against Bangladesh and a final game against Hong Kong. To secure qualification, India needs to win at least two of these matches and hope that other results go their way. Only the top team in each group is guaranteed a spot in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
Recent form has been a major concern for the Indian national team. Under coach Igor Stimac, the team has struggled to find consistency, with only one win in their last eight outings. This poor run of form has seen India's FIFA ranking plummet to 133, their lowest in nearly a decade. Following these disappointing results, Khalid Jamil has taken over as the head coach.
Adding to the challenges on the field, Indian football has been plagued by administrative issues. The Indian Super League (ISL), the nation's premier football competition, faces uncertainty due to an unresolved Master Rights Agreement between the AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited.
Despite these challenges, there is still hope for India to turn their campaign around. The return of experienced players like Sunil Chhetri could provide a much-needed boost to the team. The team needs to display resilience, determination, and tactical flexibility in the remaining matches.
The AFC Asian Cup qualification process is a long and arduous journey. The first round saw 20 teams competing in home-and-away legs, with the winners advancing to the second round. In the second round, 36 teams were divided into nine groups of four, playing home-and-away double round-robin matches. The group winners and runners-up then qualify for the Asian Cup. The remaining teams advance to the third round of Asian Cup qualification.
India's qualification chances for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 appear slim. However, with strategic gameplay and determination, the Blue Tigers can still aim for a spot in the prestigious tournament.
