Qualification scenario for Group C of AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers

India will look to register their first win in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers.

The Indian football team is set to face Bangladesh in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers on 18 November. It’ll be the fifth game of the qualifiers for the Blue Tigers as they look to register their first win after a disappointing start.

The group stage was highly competitive, with each team fighting for a place in the AFC Asian Cup tournament.

However, with two more matches remaining in the group stage, the competition is heating up with multiple teams looking to gain a spot in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. Now, we look at the qualification scenario for all teams in Group C in the AFC Asian Cup qualification.

Can India qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup?

Unfortunately, not anymore. India had a chance to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 until a few months ago, but their poor performances ruined that. The Blue Tigers failed to win either of their two matches against Singapore during the October 2025 international break.

They suffered a loss at home, and that allowed Singapore to move up to eight points from four games. Similarly, Hong Kong also moved up to eight points from four games, while India only have two points.

Now Singapore and Hong Kong will face each other soon. India can’t finish in the top spot of the group stage, which would have taken them to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

Can Bangladesh qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup?

Similarly, Bangladesh have also missed the bus. The Bengal Tigers have picked up just two points, failing to win any of the four qualification matches so far. They can only reach a maximum of eight points, which will see them fall short of the top spot.

As a result, all India and Bangladesh can do is pick up maximum points from their remaining matches to fight for the third spot in the group.

How can Hong Kong qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup?

Hong Kong are currently on top of Group C of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. The Hong Kong side is firing on all cylinders under the guidance of Ashley Westwood, who has definitely helped them punch above their weight to secure some surprising results.

At this moment, Hong Kong are in control of their Group and the favorites to qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, they have eight points from four games and have scored the most goals in the group. For Westwood to take his side to the tournament, he will need them to defeat Singapore in the next game, or else at least avoid a defeat to the Lions.

Moreover, Hong Kong will need to defeat India in their final match to have a strong chance of winning their group. If Hong Kong suffers a loss to Singapore in their next game, then it’ll be trickier for them to secure Asian Cup qualification. In that case, Hong Kong must win their final clash against India and hope that Bangladesh edges Singapore.

Ashley Westwood’s team would also need to win by a considerable margin against the Blue Tigers to have a chance of qualifying. But they’ll look to seal their qualification by defeating Singapore in the next match.  

If they defeat both Singapore and India in their remaining qualifiers, Hong Kong would qualify for the Asian Cup. Moreover, if Westwood’s side draw against Singapore and if the Lions drop points against Bangladesh in their final group game, then Hong Kong defeating India in their last match would also secure them a spot in the AFC Asian Cup group stages.

Also Read: Five players whom Indian football team will miss against Bangladesh in AFC Asian Cup qualifiers

How can Singapore qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup?

Singapore have a relatively arduous road to qualifying for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup as compared to Hong Kong. However, that could certainly change in the next two remaining qualification stage matches.

The Lions are set to face off against Hong Kong in their next qualification game. Even though it’ll be a tough away game, Singapore have their fate in their hands. If the Lions defeat Hong Kong in their next match and then defeat Bangladesh in their final game, they would power their way to qualifying for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

However, if they draw against Hong Kong, things will get difficult. In that case, Singapore must defeat Bangladesh in their final game and hope India achieve a positive result against Hong Kong in their final match.

If Singapore draw against Hong Kong and both teams win their final matches, then the Lions need to defeat Bangladesh by a high-scoring margin as they have scored one goal fewer than Hong Kong (after four games).

For example, if both Singapore and Hong Kong are level on 9 points heading into the final matchday, the Lions could win the group if they secure a 5-0 win and Hong Kong ends up getting a 2-0 win.

That would mean Singapore outscore Hong Kong and topple them in the table, with head-to-head being inconsequential if both games between Singapore and Hong Kong end in a stalemate. Irrespective, the Lions will be determined to win their last two matches to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup in style.

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