India vs Kuwait Preview: Blue Tigers look to pay perfect tribute to talismanic Sunil Chhetri by keeping the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification dream alive

Sunil Chhetri will grace the field on the international stage for the last time on June 6. While Chhetri will be under the spotlight, it is a crucial game for India. In the pre-match press conference, Chhetri pointed out the high stakes when the hosts face Kuwait at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata. 

A win will not just ensure Chhetri finishing his career on a high. It would help India make it to the third third stage of FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers. They will be among the final 18 teams from the Asia which will be then devided into three groups of six. They will fight it out for the eight available spots for Asia in FIFA World Cup 2026. It is an uncharted territory and even thinking about it may seem a bit far-fetched but India will give themselves a fighting chance to make that dream a reality. 

In Group A, India are ahead of Afghanistan against whom they faced a shocking 1-2 defeat earlier this year. If they beat Kuwait, Afghanistan will face Qatar in a tough must-win clash. They will be able to affect India’s chances only if they beat Kuwait in the must-win clash. 

Chhetri has 94 goals from 150 appearances. He has a golden chance to score in his farewell game and hang his boots in style. 

Head-to-head

India and Kuwait have gone up against each other in six games. India have won two, lost three whereas one ended in a draw. In the 2023 SAFF Championship in Bengaluru, Chhetri had played a major role in the equaliser by Sahal Abdul Samad which led to a penalty shootout. India won 5-4 in penalty shootout. Last year, India beat Kuwait in group league opener on the back of Manvir Singh's goal. However, they lost 0-3 in their previous encounter.

Since India's defeat to Afghanistan, I-League forwards Edmund Lalrindika (Inter Kashi) and David Lalhlansanga (Mohammedan Sporting) have bolstered the attack. But India's defense is vulerable in the absence of an injured Sandesh Jhingan. A lot will depend on Rahul Bheke, Anwar Ali and Shubasish Bose to keep Kuwait from scoring.

ALSO READ: 'Please don't make it worse asking 'how are you feeling', again and again': Sunil Chhetri's request to everyone ahead of his farewell game

Kuwait are high on confidence having beaten Afghanistan 4-0. Their forward Shbaib Al Khaldi and Mohammed Daham scored for Kuwait in the clash against lower-ranked Afghanistan. It will be interesting if Mohsen Ghareeb will be able to stop India's Lallianzuala Chhangte who scored 10 goals and provided six assists for Mumbai City FC in Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 season.

ALSO READ: 'It's not a joke... it's the right time': Sunil Chhetri's stern reply to possibility of rolling back retirement if India beat Kuwait

Squads: 

India: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK); Nikhil Poojary, Subhasish Bose, Anwar Ali, Jay Gupta; Jeakson Singh, Anirudh Thapa; Naorem Mahesh Singh, Brandon Fernandes, Lallianzuala Chhangte; Sunil Chhetri.

Kuwait: Sulaiman Abdulghafour (GK); Rashed Al-Dosary, Khalid El Ebrahim, Hassan Al-Enezi, Salman Bormeya; Eid Al-Rasheedi; Hamad Al-Harbi, Faisal Zayed, Azbi Shehab, Mohammad Daham; Yousef Nasser.

MORE ON SPORTS TAK

Big Blow to Pakistan ahead of T20 World Cup 2024 opening game against USA; player returning from retirement out due to injury

'They ask how much money will you give?': Ex-PAK captain slams PCB for hosting private dinner for fans with Babar Azam-led side worth Rs 2000