India vs Kuwait football, FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers: Watch Sunil Chhetri’s farewell on live streaming and telecast

Captain, leader, legend Sunil Chhetri will lead the Indian men’s football team out for one last time during the India vs Kuwait second-round Group A match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC qualifiers at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Thursday.

The IND vs KUW FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match will be live streamed and broadcasted live on TV in India.

With Sunil Chhetri, who has been the cornerstone for India in his 19-year-long illustrious career, retiring from international duties after the Kuwait clash, the match will mark the end of an era in Indian football.

Additionally, Thursday’s contest will also be a crucial one for India to keep their hopes alive of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026, to be co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico, alive.

India, with four points from four matches, are currently second in the Group A points table behind Qatar, who have already sealed the top spot in the group with 12 points. Afghanistan are third with four points but an inferior goal difference (-10) than India (-3). Kuwait, meanwhile, are bottom with three points.

With the top two teams from each group making it through to the third round of the qualifiers and securing direct qualification to the AFC Asian Cup 2027 in Saudi Arabia, the India vs Kuwait match in Kolkata is virtually a must-win for the home side.

A win over Kuwait at the iconic Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) in Kolkata, a venue where the Indian men’s football team hasn’t lost since a 3-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia in the AFC Asian Qualifiers in 2006, will help India consolidate their position as the second-placed team in the group.

Set to face Asian champions Qatar in the final matchday on June 11, three points from the Kuwait match becomes even more crucial for Team India. A loss or draw will be a severe setback.

Afghanistan, who face Qatar in Saudi Arabia on Thursday before playing Kuwait away in their final match on June 11, can still spoil India’s chances but will need astonishing results in both their matches to overturn India’s advantage.

India, coached by Croatian World Cupper Igor Stimac, are currently ranked 121st in the FIFA world rankings, 18 places better off than Kuwait.

India vs Kuwait football head-to-head record

India hold a 3-2 advantage in the head-to-head football record against Kuwait in six matches. One has ended in a draw. However, Kuwait’s last victory against India came in 2010.

The two teams faced thrice last year. After a 1-1 draw in the SAFF Championship group stage, India trumped Kuwait via penalties in the final to lift the title.

The two team’s most recent meeting was in the reverse leg of the second round of the World Cup qualifiers, where India rode on a solitary Manvir Singh goal to emerge victorious at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City.

Since then, though, India have failed to score from open play and are on a six-game winless run. Kuwait are also struggling for form, having lost all their four matches in 2024.

Where to watch India vs Kuwait FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers live

Live streaming of the India vs Kuwait football match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC qualifiers will be on Jio Cinema. The IND vs KUW football match will also be telecast live on the Sports 18 1, Sports 18 1 HD and Sports 18 3 TV channels in India.

India vs Kuwait football, FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC qualifiers schedule

All in Indian Standard Times (IST)

• June 6, Thursday: India vs Kuwait (Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata) – 7:00 PM

India vs Kuwait, FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC qualifiers: Indian football team

Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Vishal Kaith

Defenders: Amey Ranawade, Anwar Ali, Jay Gupta, Lalchungnunga, Mehtab Singh, Narender, Nikhil Poojary, Rahul Bheke, Subhasish Bose

Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Edmund Lalrindika, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Liston Colaco, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Nandhakumar Sekar, Sahal Abdul Samad, Suresh Singh Wangjam

Forwards: David Lalhlansanga, Manvir Singh, Rahim Ali, Sunil Chhetri, Vikram Partap Singh