QFA
Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia: Qatar’s revamped squad will face Afghanistan on Thursday in the joint qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027. The two-time AFC Asian Cup champions, having secured their spots in the third round of World Cup qualifiers and the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, have rested key players Akram Afif and Almoez Ali. Coach Marquez Lopez aims to test younger talents in this match at the Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Stadium in Al Hasa, Saudi Arabia.
Lopez emphasised the match’s importance for the development of young players: “The match is important for our team, and we seek to win it without a doubt to complete the series of victories, especially with the young players selected for the match.” Al Rayyan midfielder Nayef al-Hadrami echoed Lopez’s sentiments, highlighting the opportunity for the new players.
Afghanistan, under coach Ashley Westwood, will look to take advantage of Qatar’s inexperience. They aim to advance to the third round and secure their first AFC Asian Cup appearance.
In Group A, India and Afghanistan both have four points, with Kuwait trailing by one. India will face Kuwait at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium in Kolkata, aiming to repeat their 1-0 victory from November. This match marks captain Sunil Chhetri’s final international game. Coach Igor Stimac called it India’s most crucial match in three decades: “Reaching there (Round 3) will be another step in Indian football history. It will be an amazing thing to have the opportunity to play another 10 games against the best Asian teams and dream big about trying to reach the biggest stage of football.”
Kuwait, however, will aim to derail India’s ambitions. With Afghanistan as their final opponent, wins in their last matches could secure them second place behind Qatar.