World Cup 2026 Qualifier India vs Qatar highlights: India lose 0-3 to Qatar

India vs Qatar football match highlights: Qatar would have won by a bigger margin had they not missed several chances while dominating throughout the 90 minutes at the Kalinga Stadium.

9:30 PM

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier: India vs Qatar Football - India losed 0-3

India dished out a gritty display but suffered a 0-3 drubbing against dominant Asian champions Qatar in their second match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup second round qualifiers at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwa on Tuesday.

 

Qatar would have won by a bigger margin had they not missed several chances while dominating throughout the 90 minutes at the Kalinga Stadium.

 

The visiting side scored through Moustafa Tarek Mashal (4th minute), Almeoz Ali (47th) and Yusuf Adurisag (86th).

 

India, who were seeking inspiration from their famous 0-0 draw against the same opponents four years ago, could barely create scoring chances. They did get a couple of opportunities at the fag end of the first half, but wasted them.

 

Igor Stimac's team is still in contention to finish second in Group A and qualify for the third round for the first time after a 1-0 win over Kuwait in their away match on November 16.

 

The Indian defence was exposed quite early into the match as they conceded a goal in the fourth minute itself.

India vs Qatar football. Photo: Reuters

 

9:01 PM

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier: India vs Qatar Football FINAL SCORE | IND 0 | 2 QAT at full time

Full time: India looked  a shot away from goal but it never came. Qatar scored three and continue to be at the top of the group. 

India is easily defeated by Qatar, which increases its lead at the top of the table. Qatar continued to question Indian defense that was simply not strong enough to thwart the attacking team's advances. The back line did not read the numerous plays that made by Qatar and was not precise enough in its marking. India had a few good opportunities as well, but ultimately failed to find the net. A night of disappointment for the underdogs.

8:43 PM

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier: India vs Qatar Football LIVE SCORE | IND 0 | 2 QAT in 2nd half

84 minute: Chhetri leaves the field.
 

Rahul KP and Pandita come in for Chhangte and Chhetri.

8:28 PM

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier: India vs Qatar Football LIVE SCORE | IND 0 | 2 QAT in 2nd half

63rd minute: Stimac brings in-form Sahal Abdul for Anirudh Thapa.

8:09 PM

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier: India vs Qatar Football LIVE SCORE | IND 0 | 2 QAT in 2nd half

46th minute: Like the first half, India concede a goal at the start of second half. 

After Khouki dunks the ball inside the box, Afif is set to shoot. Amrinder saves the attempt, but the keeper was unable to hold the ball, and Moez Ali scores off a rebound.

India 0 | 2 Qatar in second half.

7:47 PM

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier: India vs Qatar Football LIVE SCORE | two minutes added

Two minutes added afte 45 minutes.

7:45 PM

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier: India vs Qatar Football LIVE SCORE | IND 0 | 1 QAT in first half

41st minute: Anirudh Thapa a golden chance to score the equaliser. In last five minutes, India are creating too many chances but not able to hit the ball on target.

India 0 | 1 Qatar

7:43 PM

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier: India vs Qatar Football LIVE SCORE | IND 0 | 1 QAT in first half

40th minute: Chhangte dashes down the left flank, almost finds Udanta with a cutting pass across the box, but Al Amin makes a vital interception.

7:39 PM

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier: India vs Qatar Football LIVE SCORE | IND 0 | 1 QAT in first half

35th minute: A brilliant move from India, Qatari defence caught napping. A brilliant ball from Thapa at the centre but Apuia hits it off target.

A superb chance to score the equaliser missed by India.

India 0 | 1 Qatar in first half

7:35 PM

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier: India vs Qatar Football LIVE SCORE | IND 0 | 1 QAT in first half

33rd min: India launches a brilliant counterattack, but Udanta mishandles the ball and gets exposed by Qatar's formidable defense.

India 0 | 1 Qatar

7:24 PM

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier: India vs Qatar Football LIVE SCORE | IND 0 | 1 QAT in first half

22nd minute: Amarinder cuts the angle to save a ball on target.

7:17 PM

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier: India vs Qatar Football LIVE SCORE | IND 0 | 1 QAT in first half

13th minute: The Indian attackers are maintaing a high press but Qatar is comfortable on the ball. Chhangte receives a brilliant through ball again on the left wing but is stopped by Khouki’s standing tackle.

India 0 | 1 Qatar in first half

7:08 PM

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier: India vs Qatar Football LIVE SCORE | IND 0 | 1 QAT in first half

4th minute: From a corner, Qatar takes the early lead. When India fails to clear the ball quickly, Mustafa Meshaal finds himself inside the box and away from his marker.

India 0 | 1 Qatar in first half

7:04 PM

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier: India vs Qatar Football LIVE SCORE | IND 0 | 0 QAT

Match begins with India's kick in.

2nd minute: A bad clearance from goalkeeper Amrinder allows Qatar to create a chance but a bad deflection denies the chance to the visitors. India under immense pressure.

India 0 | 0 Qatar

6:57 PM

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier: India vs Qatar Football LIVE SCORE | Qatari Players to watch out

-Key Players

 

Almoez Ali

 

Almoez Ali has been in exceptional form for Qatar, playing a crucial role in the team's attacking third. The Sudan-born striker scored four goals against Afghanistan, showcasing ruthlessness in front of goal. He has a total of 46 goals in 90 appearances for Qatar. His swift movement, ability to outpace defenders, and precise finishing make him a valuable asset in Qatar's attacking line.

 

Hassan Al-Haydos

 

Hassan Al-Haydos, the most-capped player in the Qatar squad, has been a pivotal figure for the Maroons over the years. As a creative playmaker, the 32-year-old is capable of both scoring goals and providing assists. With 32 goals and 16 assists for the national team, Al-Haydos can break any defensive line with his stunning through balls, innovative individual brilliance, and smart vision. He is an indispensable asset for his team given his experience and quality.

6:56 PM

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier: India vs Qatar Football LIVE SCORE | Match to begin shortly

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik and former Arsenal manager and Chief of global foot Arsene Wenger greeting players from both teams before the match.

6:40 PM

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier: India vs Qatar Football LIVE SCORE | Head-to-Head Record

India and Qatar find themselves in the same group for the second consecutive time in the FIFA World Cup qualifying round. The Blue Tigers have yet to secure a victory against Qatar, having played three matches, with Qatar winning twice and one match ending in a draw. In 1996, India suffered a heavy 6-0 defeat against Qatar, but in 2019, they managed to secure a valuable point in Doha with a goalless draw. However, Stimac's side faced a narrow 0-1 defeat at home in the reverse fixture.

6:24 PM

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier: India vs Qatar Football LIVE SCORE | Stimac hopes good show from India

Stimac was just a few months into India head coach's job in the 2019 match, and after four years, he feels a positive result against Qatar is "not unfeasible".

 

"We have analysed Qatar from every angle and position and know very well what they are capable of in terms of speed and strength. Their defensive and offensive positions are immaculate, which they demonstrated against Afghanistan by scoring eight goals," Stimac said.

 

"It is going to be very difficult, Qatar are one of the pre-tournament favourites from the group. We do not have high expectations but we know we have a chance and we have to grab that with both hands.

 

"The first and bigger part was accomplished by winning against Kuwait, now I want the boys to show their quality against Qatar," he said.

Igor Stimac with Sunil Chhetri. Photo: @IndianFootball

6:20 PM

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier: India vs Qatar Football LIVE SCORE | Qatar football history

Established in the 1960s, the Qatar Football Association affiliated with FIFA three years later. While Qatar has a rich history in continental football, their participation in the FIFA World Cup 2022 stands out as a significant milestone.

 

The Maroons secured their first AFC Asian Cup title in 2019, having qualified for every Asian Cup edition. They have also clinched the Arabian Gulf Cup three times and the WAFF Championship in 2014.

 

Despite their early exit from the World Cup 2022, Ghana-born Mohammed Muntari made history by becoming Qatar's first goal scorer in the tournament. Forward Hassan Al-Haydos, the current captain, boasts 129 appearances with 48 goal contributions. Qatar achieved its highest FIFA ranking of 42 in 2021 under head coach Felix Sanchez, as per a press release from the Indian Super League (ISL).

6:10 PM

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier: India vs Qatar Football LIVE SCORE | India's starting XI

India's starting XI against Qatar is out. Check details below.

6:09 PM

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier: India vs Qatar Football LIVE SCORE | India up against World Number 61

Qatar, ranked 61st in the FIFA rankings, boasts quality in their squad and holds the top spot in Group A. Tuesday's match promises to be a tough battle as the Blue Tigers aim to deliver their best performance at home and potentially upset one of Asia's football powerhouses.

 

In a parallel start to the qualifying round, both India and Qatar secured impressive wins against Afghanistan. Qatar dominated their match, utilising the width of the pitch and launching relentless attacks from the flanks, resulting in a resounding 8-1 victory. This commanding win will undoubtedly boost their confidence as they look forward to continuing their winning run in the Qualifiers.

5:40 PM

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier: India vs Qatar Football LIVE SCORE | India to miss key players

Sandhu would remember that he and India were lucky in Doha in 2019 as Ali was denied by the upright and the Indian custodian will have to marshal the defence, along with veteran Sandesh Jhinghan.

 

Head coach Igor Stimac could not use the services of both Ali and defensive midfielder Jeakson Singh in the Kuwait match due to injuries, and it was a blow to the plans of the Croatian tactician though India won the match.

 

Ali had suffered an ankle injury in Mohun Bagan's AFC Cup match against Bashundhara Kings of Bangladesh last month. Kerala Blasters player Jeakson suffered a shoulder injury in an Indian Super League match against Mumbai City FC and he had undergone a successful surgery early this month.

 

Midfield mainstay Sahal Abdul Samad and Manvir Singh, who scored the lone goal for India against Kuwait, were there in Doha four years ago and they would look to make life difficult for the Qataris, more so after the duo's good outing in Kuwait City.

Indian football team

5:24 PM

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier: India vs Qatar Football LIVE SCORE | Preview in brief

India will take inspiration from their famous goal-less draw against Asian champions Qatar four years ago when they face the same opponents in a 2026 FIFA World Cup second round qualifiers match here on Tuesday.

 

Their confidence boosted after the 1-0 away win against Kuwait on November 16, India will hope to give a tough fight to Qatar, though the fancied visiting side will start as firm favourites.

 

India had surprised the football fraternity when they soaked up waves of attacks to hold Qatar 0-0 on September 10, 2019 in their 2022 World Cup second round qualifiers in Doha. Qatar were then in red-hot form, having won the Asia Cup title in early 2019.

 

Talismanic India captain Sunil Chhetri was absent in that match as he was indisposed and he would be eager to show his class at the Kalinga Stadium on Tuesday, though scoring chances for the hosts are expected to be far less than the visitors.

 

Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who had captained the team that night in Doha in front of a partisan expatriate crowd, will have to be at his best again on Tuesday to thwart the marauding Qataris as he had done four years ago.

 

Ranked 61 in the world, Qatar are coming off a 8-1 thrashing of Afghanistan in their earlier match in Doha on November 16, and they would be looking to make the record of the drawn game in 2019 straight with a dominating win against the 102nd-ranked India.

 

Qatar were 1-0 victors in the reverse fixture of the two teams in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Indian football team

5:18 PM

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier: India vs Qatar Football LIVE SCORE

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of India vs Qatar football match in FIFA World Cup Qualifier Round 2.