With the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States expanded to include 48 teams, Asian countries, including India, have a much better chance of reaching the tournament proper.
Asia has been designated eight direct slots in the tournament finals, with a ninth country able to qualify through an Inter-Confederation playoff, meaning the chances of India making the 2026 World Cup are better than ever before. Asia had six countries participate in FIFA World Cup 2022, including the hosts Qatar, an additional automatic qualifier.
The 2026 tournament may come too soon, though. There is still much work necessary to perfect India’s new football league structure and develop young international players for the future, but signs are promising. India’s early results in the 2026 World Cup Qualifying matches have also been encouraging, although the 0-3 loss to Second Round Group A leaders Qatar shows how much improvement is yet required.
According to the FIFA rankings, India is the 18th-best team in Asia. As such, statistically, this large country with a population of 1.4 billion shouldn’t be one of the 48 nations competing in the 2026 World Cup Finals.
The makeup of the Asian Qualifying groups means India’s chances of qualifying from the Second Round and competing for an automatic World Cup spot are better than its FIFA ranking suggests. India is the second-highest ranked country in Second Round Group A behind Qatar (6), with Kuwait (24) and Afghanistan (32) being its other opponents.
India has already beaten Kuwait away from home, and when Igor Štimac’s side travels to Afghanistan for its 21 March meeting, the guides on safebettingsites will make The Blue Tigers favourites for the contest. In all likelihood, a victory would take India into second position and, if maintained through the remaining matches, qualification for the World Cup Qualifying Third Round.
Of the 18 teams forming the three groups of six in the Third Round, India will be underdogs. Although Štimac has overseen some marked improvement in the Indian national team, it is likely its 2026 Qualifying journey will end here. Only the top two nations from each group will qualify directly, but an unlikely third-place finish in its group could still afford India a last chance of qualifying.
All Indian eyes should realistically be focused on the 2030 FIFA World Cup Qualification groups, though. Development is underway, with the November 2023 opening of The Talent Academy, which will identify the top young footballers in India and provide them with quality training.
The academy will work to improve local grassroots and young football talent, both male and female, under the direction of FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, Arsenal managerial legend Arsène Wenger.
Recently, a much-needed revamp of India’s domestic league system took place. The old system, deemed inadequate by many experts, featured two top-tier leagues, with one of them, the Indian Super League (ISL) featuring no relegation for teams until 2021/22 when it was officially allocated sole top-tier status.
The other league, the I-League, moved down the league system ladder, being afforded second-tier status. The I-League champions in 2022/23 gained promotion to the ISL, with full promotion and relegation between the two leagues due to start in 2024/25. With only 25 teams featuring in the two leagues, concern remains regarding the number of competitive domestic fixtures in India.
With improving the league system and young prospects in India currently targeted, signs are positive that by the time the 2030 FIFA World Cup arrives, India will be better positioned to take its place among the qualifying nations.
