The Indian national football team, under the leadership of Croatian expert Igor Štimac, and the Omani national team, led by Branko Ivanković, began the second phase of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup with victories. In their first match of Group A, India defeated Kuwait 1-0 on the road, while Oman defeated Taiwan 3-0 at home in Group D.
In India’s match against Kuwait, Manvir Singh scored a crucial goal in the 85th minute to secure three points for his team. Meanwhile, Oman’s victory was achieved through goals from Omer Al Malki (17), Ahmed Al Kaabi (41), and Mataz Abd Raboh (90). These wins marked the beginning of their journey towards qualifying for the prestigious tournament.
The 2026 World Cup will be held in North America for the first time in history, with games being played across three countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The Indian and Omani teams demonstrated their strength and skill as they aim to become one of the 32 teams that will compete in this highly anticipated tournament.