FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: India's predicted line-up for Afghanistan clash

India will be the favorite in an exciting World Cup Qualifier clash against the Lions of Khorasan.

The Indian national football team under Igor Stimac is gearing up to face Afghanistan, aiming to reverse their fortunes after a challenging start to their 2024 campaign.

The Blue Tigers will commence with an away fixture against the Lions of Khorasan before returning home to Guwahati for a crucial match on March 26th in Round 2 of the joint qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

Sunil Chhetri and his company are training rigorously testing new formations and combinations under Croatian tactician Igor Stimac. India should be comfortable going into this clash with a low-ranked team like Afghanistan who have conceded 12 goals in their previous two World Cup qualification matches.

As Igor Stimac looks to give a chance to some new lads in the team, we at Khel Now will predict the Indian football team’s line-up (4-2-3-1) against Afghanistan:

Goalkeeper: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu

Afghanistan demonstrates proficiency in scoring from set-pieces and crosses, underscoring the pivotal role of Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in goal. His towering stature and proficiency in handling crosses afford a critical advantage in terminating aerial threats, highlighting his prowess as a daunting goalkeeper for the Indian football squad.

Right-back: Nikhil Poojary

Poojary’s presence on the field offers crucial speed and dynamism to counter any threat from Afghanistan wingers on the flanks. His reliability and steady contributions to the national team underscore his significance in halting opposition attacks. He has been instrumental in Bengaluru FC’s defensive unit in the ISL recently. Poojary’s adeptness in defensive duties highlights his role in the team’s defensive strategy and further emphasizes his value as a defensive asset.

Centre-back: Anwar Ali

In the absence of Sandesh Jhingan, all eyes will be on Anwar Ali. Ali has been sensational in the defensive unit with his measured interceptions and his ball-playing abilities from the back. His recent performances in the ISL for Mohun Bagan have been outstanding although Anwar just returned from an injury. Anwar Ali will play a crucial part in Igor Stimac’s starting XI against Afghanistan.

Centre-back: Rahul Bheke

Rahul Bheke’s robustness, resilience, and tactical intelligence render him a dependable figure in the team’s defensive setup. His adeptness in reading the game contributes significantly to the overall defensive strategy. He minimizes unnecessary yellow cards and remains composed. Bheke’s steady and composed displays establish him as a valuable asset, guaranteeing stability in the backline while upholding defensive discipline.

Left-back: Akash Mishra

Akash Mishra will look to play as the left-back for The Blue Tigers. Akash’s agility and speed make him a good aspect of the defense. He can run with the ball and deliver measured crosses which in turn will be a great opportunity for the Indian attackers to score. With both attacking as well defensive qualities Akash Mishra will be a trump card for Igor Stimac against the Afghans.

Central Defensive Midfielder: Apuia

Apuia’s displays at the club level have been outstanding. Despite his young age, he demonstrates a deep understanding of the game and exhibits remarkable maturity on the field. As a central defensive midfielder, he possesses all the necessary attributes for the position. Apuia’s skill set encompasses strong defensive abilities, exceptional vision, and the capacity to dictate the game’s pace, establishing him as a standout talent in his position and a crucial asset for the Indian football team’s midfield.

Central Defensive Midfielder: Jeakson Singh

Jeakson Singh will look to hold the midfield spot alongside Apuia after returning from an injury. Jeakson is a key player whom Igor Stimac favours a lot in the middle of the park with his quick interceptions as well as ball distribution. His inclusion as a defensive midfielder will strengthen India’s control in the middle third, allowing them to control the game.

Attacking Midfielder: Sunil Chhetri

Chhetri’s selection for the squad is a clear choice, considering his impressive record with the Indian national team. Despite being the eldest player on the team, it’s undeniable that the country’s leading goal-scorer in history brings invaluable contributions. His wealth of experience, on-field leadership, and consistent scoring prowess render him an irreplaceable asset against Afghanistan.

Left Winger: Lallianzuala Chhangte

Known for his blistering pace Lallianzuala Chhangte will be another key member in the flanks for Team India. His recent performances in the ISL for Mumbai have been outstanding. Chhangte’s goal-scoring abilities combined with his speed and inch-perfect crosses make him the right choice as a right winger. Sunil Chhetri and other attackers will look upon his crosses to score goals against Afghanistan in the World Cup Qualifiers.

Right Winger: Manvir Singh

The agile, towering, and adaptable forward boasts a comprehensive offensive skill set that enriches the team’s attacking options. Apart from showcasing exceptional speed on the flanks, he also demonstrates effectiveness in the box, thereby introducing a dynamic aspect to the team’s attacking approach. Additionally, his versatility enables him to seamlessly transition to the striker role as required.

Striker: Vikram Partap Singh

Vikram Partap Singh has created a mark in Indian football with his goal-scoring prowess in the Indian Super League (ISL) for Mumbai City FC. Vikram is the leading Indian goal scorer and putting him upfront alongside Sunil Chhetri will surely make the Indian side stronger. Vikram with his agility and ability to score goals will be a preferred choice for Igor Stimac.

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.