India’s hopes of advancing in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers were dashed after a 1-2 defeat against Qatar in their final Group A match at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha. Lallianzuala Chhangte put India ahead with an early goal, but Qatar’s Yousef Aymen equalized with a controversial strike, followed by Ahmed Al-Rawi’s winner. Meanwhile, Kuwait secured their progression to the next round by defeating Afghanistan, joining Qatar from Group A.