The city of Doha became the stage for a dramatic and heartbreaking end to India’s ambitious quest for World Cup 2026 qualification. On Tuesday, India’s dreams of advancing to the third round of Asian qualifying for the World Cup were cruelly dashed following a 2-1 defeat to Qatar, a match marred by controversy and contention.
India’s head coach, Igor Stimac, was vocal in his criticism of what he referred to as an “irregular” goal scored by Qatar, which he believed significantly altered the course of the game. “It shouldn’t happen,” he stated emphatically in a post-match press conference, reflecting the frustration and disappointment shared by his team and numerous Indian supporters.
Initially, the Indian squad was on the cusp of a historic achievement. They took the lead in the first half and looked poised to reach an unprecedented milestone in their footballing history, holding their ground against the Asian champions for a significant part of the match. However, the twist came in the 73rd minute when Youssef Ayman netted an equalizer for Qatar. This goal, which sparked intense debate and fierce protests from the Indian players, appeared on several television replays to have followed an out-of-bounds play.
Adding fuel to the fire was the absence of VAR technology, which meant that the contentious goal stood despite the visible outrage from the Indian camp. The controversy didn’t end there. The momentum shifted dramatically, and India’s hopes were finally extinguished when Qatar clinched the winner with just five minutes remaining in the game. This result not only denied India the chance to progress but also highlighted the critical flaws in officiating in the absence of video assistance.
“Qatar were lucky tonight, especially because they came back from 0-1 with an irregular goal,” said a visibly upset Stimac. “I can confirm that now because I have seen the replay. The whole ball was over the line, and the goal was given.”
Stimac’s frustration was palpable.
. “It shouldn’t be happening in today’s football because that goal changed everything in this game. As an organization, FIFA has enough power and resources, at least in the crucial games and the World Cup qualifiers, to use VAR.”
The aftermath of this defeat was a bitter pill for the Indian team, who gave a performance that could have etched their names in the history books. “It’s kind of an injustice to my boys tonight because we were very close to win this game and qualifying for the third round, but it didn’t happen,” Stimac lamented, as he reflected on the narrow margin by which their qualification dream slipped away.
With this loss, India’s journey in the World Cup 2026 qualifiers concluded with them finishing third in their group. Qatar, already having secured their spot in the next round before this match, will now be joined by Kuwait, who secured a 1-0 victory over Afghanistan in a concurrent fixture.
The controversy surrounding the disallowed goal has also sparked reactions beyond the pitch. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has already written to both FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), seeking clarification and possibly redress over the contentious officiating incident. This move underscores the sense of injustice felt by the Indian football community and their determination to seek transparency and fairness in the sport.
Stimac, a former Croatia international defender, did not hold back in expressing his dismay over the lack of VAR in such high-stakes matches. “As an organization, FIFA has enough power and resources, at least in the crucial games and the World Cup qualifiers, to use VAR,” he reiterated, a sentiment likely shared by many who watched the game unfold.
Despite the controversy and the end of their World Cup dream, the Indian team walks away with their heads held high. Their performance against one of Asia’s top footballing nations demonstrated their growing prowess on the international stage. As they regroup and look forward to future competitions, the lessons learned from this campaign will undoubtedly shape their approach in the years to come.
In conclusion, while the night in Doha was one of heartbreak and controversy for Indian football, it also highlighted the resilience and potential of the team. The calls for improved officiating and the implementation of VAR in crucial matches like these will continue to echo, advocating for a fairer and more just playing field for all teams involved.
