India 🇮🇳 's chance at FIFA World Cup 2026 and the decisive JUNE international window in the light of #HeroIntercontinentalCup & #SaffChampionship
- A comprehensive thread
#IndianFootball #BlueTigers #BackTheBlue @BluePilgrims
The 3rd edition of #HeroIntercontinentalCup (9-18 th Jun) will converge 4 uniquely diverse nations:
Lebanon 🇱🇧 (99) [Asia - WAFF]
India 🇮🇳 (101) [Asia - SAFF]
Vanuatu 🇻🇺 (164) [Oceania]
Mongolia 🇲🇳 (183) [Asia - EAFF]
Except 🇱🇧, India has no previous encounter with other two.
This will be followed by another exciting tournament #SaffChampionship . The challenge and competition is doubled this year as strong Lebanon 🇱🇧 & Kuwait 🇰🇼 will join as invitee with other six SAFF nations.
India 🇮🇳 is drawn in Gr-A with Kuwait 🇰🇼, Nepal 🇳🇵 and Pakistan 🇵🇰.
The mandate of these 2 tournaments is bigger and wider than it seems.
Good results from these will give India a much needed head start 🚀 for the most important @FIFAWorldCup Qualifiers!* And with the reconstructed format, this time it is not just day-dreaming!
*Explained later
Among numerous changes, the biggest is that - 8⅓ teams from Asia (4⅓ previously) will go to FIFA WC!!
Thus the format of Asian Qualifiers is also changed.
36 teams (#1–25 + 11 R-1 winners) are divided into 9 groups of 4 teams in Round-2. Top 2 from each Gr will advance in R-3
As per 🇮🇳's current ASIAN RANK-19 we will be in Pot-2 of R-2 Draw. Means in the allocated grp we have to face 2 better ranked opponents and 1 lesser one. It is still better than previous scenario but WHAT IF we have only 1 better opponent and 2 lesser? R-3 seems possible, isn't?
If 🇮🇳 can improve just 1 Asian Rank, we will be in POT-2 🤩. With beatable pot 3 & 4 teams in group we can advance to the historical 3rd round, for the very first time 🥹.
TO ACHIEVE IT,
🇮🇳 have to replace 🇱🇧 before July FIFA Ranking.
And AIFF has quite a Plan 😉 !!
In June, there is one assured (15th June) and 3 possible (Intercontinental FINAL, SAFF Knockout) encounter between 🇮🇳 and 🇱🇧.
Some good results against the strong Lebanon side will keep our WORLD CUP DREAM Intact ✨.
🚨CAUTION
Winning against other teams from #InterContinentalCup and #Saff is equally important! Losing points against lower ranked team can be real costly!
Before the familiar SAFF opponents and Lebanon, we should consider unknown, mysterious Vanuatu 🇻🇺 & Mongolia 🇲🇳 as threat!
The very first opponent is the Blue Wolves of Mongolia 🇲🇳. Despite their low FIFA rank, the threat is their ambiguity. Due to the geographical barrier❄️🏔️, 🇲🇳 plays very less intl football, especially outside their Circle. Their recent exposure in 🇯🇵 & Georgia 🇬🇪 can be a threat!
The next challenge is the Pacific island nation Vanuatu 🇻🇺 capatained by recent A-League fame Brian Kaltak! Like any unconventional opponent, the unusual playing style of Vanuatu and their motivated captain can create some trouble for 🇮🇳. #Vanuatu
That's it
With 9 possible matches with heterogeneous, unique opponents; an exciting & decisive JUNE is awaiting for #IndianFootball !
A spirited performance from team and support from fans is expected
There is so much at stake, rather than just two trophies!
#BlueTigers 💙
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