Thread by @bodhisattwapal1

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 💙