Why Hero Intercontinental Cup 2023 matches against Lebanon are Do-or-Die for India?

The Blue Tigers have the chance to earn a favourable draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The Indian national football team finds itself at a crucial juncture. With an improved FIFA ranking of 99th in the world and 18th in Asia, India is tantalizingly close to securing a spot in Pot 2 for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers draw. However, to maintain their ranking and realize this goal, the upcoming matches against Lebanon on June 15 and 18 have taken on a do-or-die significance for the Indian team.

Currently ranked 99th in the world, India have surpassed Lebanon, which currently holds the 100th position. This is a significant achievement for the Indian team, but they need to maintain their ranking or even climb higher to ensure favorable circumstances in the upcoming 2026 World Cup Qualifiers draw.

A higher pot placement for the 2026 WC qualifiers draw

The World Cup Qualifiers draw divides teams into different pots based on their FIFA rankings. These pots determine the composition of the groups for the qualifying campaign. Securing a higher pot placement provides several advantages, including a potentially less challenging group and an increased chance of progressing to the later stages of the qualifiers.

If India can maintain their current ranking or improve further, it will find itself in Pot 2 for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers draw. This would be a significant boost for the Indian team, giving them a more favorable draw and increasing their prospects of making it to the next stage. However, a loss or poor performance against Lebanon could see India slipping down the rankings and being placed in Pot 3, which would pose a greater challenge for their World Cup aspirations.

Moreover, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will see the number of participating teams increase from 32 to 48, which will mean a major boost to the Blue Tigers.

The Lebanon test will be challenging

The two upcoming matches against Lebanon will be decisive in determining whether India can retain their spot in Pot 2 or face a potential setback. Lebanon, currently ranked 100th in the world, is a formidable opponent. Underestimating them would be a grave mistake for the Indian team, as a loss in these matches could see India drop to Pot 3 and face tougher opponents in the qualifying rounds.

Moreover, these matches against Lebanon serve as a litmus test for the Indian team's capabilities and aspirations. A victory or even a positive result for India would provide a significant boost to the team's confidence and help solidify their position in the rankings.

In conclusion, the matches against Lebanon are undoubtedly do-or-die for India. The outcome will determine whether India can maintain their ranking and secure a place in Pot 2 for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers draw. Beyond that, these matches represent an opportunity for the Indian team to showcase their progress, build confidence, and make a statement on the international stage.

The players must approach these fixtures with the utmost seriousness and determination, while the fans must rally behind their team, and strive for victory, as the stakes have never been higher.