Afghanistan vs India: Three key battles to determine FIFA World Cup Qualifiers clash

The outcome of these duels will affect the result of the crucial game in Abha.

Indian men’s football team resumes its 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (second round) campaign with two back-to-back fixtures against Afghanistan in Group A. The first of the two contests will take place on 22 March 2024 in Saudi Arabia and the second will be played on 26 March 2024 in Guwahati in Assam, India. 

The top two teams from Group A will advance into the third round of the qualifiers and India have a good chance to make it into the final round of qualifiers, which would be a historical feat. While Afghanistan are the underdogs heading into the game and have some senior players missing, they can spring up a surprise and upset the Blue Tigers. Igor Stimac, head coach of the Indian team, will rely on the in-form and experienced players to steady the ship and guide the team to a comfortable win.

As the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers fixtures get closer, here is a look at the three key battles which can decide the outcome of this tie.

3. Balal Arezou vs Anwar Ali

Balal Arezou is one of the experienced individuals in the Afghanistan line-up heading into the double-header with India. The forward has 28 appearances and nine goals for the national team and plays club football in Norway. Ashley Westwood, the head coach of the Afghans, will rely on him to convert the chances the team creates.

In the absence of Sandesh Jhingan, Anwar Ali has to step up for India. The ball-playing centre-back offers a good option while building up from the back and has a good reading of the game without ball possession. He will be tasked to keep players like Balal Arezou under check and help India keep a clean-sheet.

2. Habibulla Askar vs Lallianzuala Chhangte

Habibulla Askar has been part of both of Afghanistan’s 2026 World Cup Qualifiers and is likely to maintain his position as the left-back in the backline. The full-back will have his hands full containing the likes of Lallianzuala Chhangte who can cause problems aplenty with his pace and movement.

India will hope to win with some style to better their goal difference as that might play a role in the end in deciding which team secures the qualification spots. To that end, players like Lallianzuala Chhangte need to score plenty of goals against an Afghan side which has conceded 12 goals in two matches.

1. Mahboob Hanifi vs Vikram Partap Singh

Vikram Partap Singh has to feature in the upcoming contest against Afghanistan whether he starts or comes on from the bench. The Mumbai City FC forward scored a sensational hat-trick recently in the Indian Super League and has seven goals in the ongoing 2023-24 ISL campaign, the highest for an Indian player.

Vikram Partap Singh is only the sixth Indian in the history of ISL to hit a hat-trick. Igor Stimac wil hope that the attacker replicates his domestic performance on the international stage. Stopping him will be Mahboob Hanifi’s responsibility who is likely to start in the right-back position, opposed to Singh in the Indian forward line.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.