India to host Hong Kong in Kochi for final game of AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers

International football returns to Kochi after 10 years as India takes on Hong Kong

After narrowly missing out on the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, India entered the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers as the favorites. But things took a shocking turn: India are not only out of the continental race, but they also find themselves at the bottom of Group C.

In the first five games, India has played two draws and lost thrice. India also saw a managerial change after the former Jamshedpur FC coach Khalid Jamil took over the reins from ISL-winning coach Manolo Marquez in the first week of August.

Indian national team will now host Hong Kong in their final group stage fixture of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers and will be hoping to end the campaign on an optimistic note.

Kochi set to host India after a decade

International football is back in God’s own country as the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have approved Kochi to host India’s final group stage game in the AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong.

Kochi last hosted an international game in 2016 when India hosted Turkmenistan in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers 2018.

In that game, Sandesh Jhinghan broke the deadlock in the 26th minute, but two late goals from Turkmenistan saw them win the game 2-1

Kochi has a vibrant football culture, and on every Kerala Blasters matchday, the JLN Stadium in Kochi records one of the highest average attendances in the ISL.

Even during Super League Kerala, spectators and fans from the football-loving state of Kerala filled the stadium in large numbers.

Hong Kong and India are out of qualification race

The result of this game will have no impact on the qualification race for the AFC Asian Cup 2027, as Singapore are three points ahead of Hong Kong in the points table and have already qualified.

India and Hong Kong are already out of the qualification race.

For India, it will be a game to restore their pride and to avoid ending the campaign in a humiliating way, as they are winless in their first five games.

It will be interesting to see if Khalid Jamil gives chances to young talents from IFL and ISL.

Also, India is not expected to play any other international friendly fixtures in this window and the national team camp in Kochi will commence eight days before the big game on 23 March 2026.

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