FIFA Rankings update after Afghanistan stun India in World Cup 2026 Qualifiers
The Blues were stunned by the inexperienced Afghan side
Afghanistan stunned India 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati, as Sharif Mukhammad’s late penalty became the difference between the two teams.
India’s legend, Sunil Chhetri scored his record 94th international goal in his 150th match for the Blues but that couldn’t be enough as Rahmat Akbari found the back of the net in the 70th minute to equalise the game which eventually led to a victory by Mukhammad’s late penalty.
After the win, Afghanistan improved their rankings in FIFA Rankings by four ranks, going to 151st while India degraded by two ranks as they sit at 122nd position.
Chhetri stood as India’s lone warrior once again as the 39-year-old was leading his side’s attack all by himself. The right-footed forward was captaining the team and everything went wrong for the home side as soon as he was substituted.
Chetti netted a 37th minute after Afghanistan’s Haroon Amiri committed a handball inside the penalty box. Amiri intercepted India’s cross with his hand after which the penalty was awarded to the home side. The 39-year-old made no mistake in putting the ball back of the net despite Azizi diving in the right direction. The goal put the much-needed energy to the crowd as the home side was once again in the driving seat.
However, as soon as Chettri was substituted in the second half, it looked like India had lost the leader who was keeping the team together as they conceded both goals inside the last 30 minutes.
Despite grabbing a lead, India couldn’t take control of the match which gave a massive blow to their World Cup dreams. India’s head coach Igor Stimac's choice of Lalengmawia Ralte, Brandon Fernandes and Jeakson Singh didn’t pay as the Blues failed to hold the ball for the majority of the match.
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