India’s hopes of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026 were crushed in a heart-wrenching defeat against Qatar’s controversial goal. The match, held at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, saw India take the lead through Lallianzuala Chhangte’s goal in the 37th minute. The team, led by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, seemed poised for a historic victory, but a disputed goal by Yousef Aymen turned the tide. Despite protests from Indian players, the goal stood, leading to a 1-2 loss and elimination from the tournament.
The key moment came in the 73rd minute when Aymen scored after the ball had clearly gone out of play, leaving India feeling aggrieved by the match officials’ decision. The lack of VAR intervention added to the controversy, with India decrying the refereeing as ‘pathetic’. Qatar capitalized on the momentum and secured the win with a late goal by Ahmed Al-Rawi.
The loss was a bitter pill to swallow for India, especially coming on the heels of Sunil Chhetri’s retirement. Despite defying the odds against Qatar, Igor Stimac’s men fell short of the mark. Chhangte’s goal not only showcased his talent but also made him India’s highest-scoring active player with 8 goals. The defeat marked the end of India’s World Cup aspirations in the second round of qualifiers.
Looking ahead, India faces a challenging road to redemption in future matches. With the race for qualification heating up, the team will need to regroup, rediscover their scoring touch, and strive for better results. The controversial defeat against Qatar may have left a bitter taste, but it also serves as a stark reminder of the highs and lows of competitive football. As fans lament the heartbreaking exit, the team must use this setback as motivation to bounce back stronger in their upcoming fixtures.
