Preview:
- Date: 6 June, Thursday
- Kick-off Time: 7:00 PM (IST)
- Stadium: Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata
India will have an emotional day for Indian football fans when the Blue Tigers take on Kuwait in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers on Thursday (June 6). The contest will see the country’s greatest-ever footballer, Sunil Chhetri, bid farewell to the game when he takes the field for one last time. While all eyes will be on the beloved player, India will mean business if they are to stay in the hunt for a place in FIFA World Cup qualifiers in the next stage.
The contest was originally scheduled to place in Hyderabad but was shifted to Kolkata at the 85,000-capacity Salt Lake Stadium. Considering a large number of fans are to be in attendance for the match in Kuwait, India will be the bookie’s favourites to win. On the other hand. the hosts will be eager to give a perfect sendoff to Chhetri who has carried the burden of expectations for the nation in the last two decades.
Kuwait, on the other hand, will search for their first win over India in 14 years and will look to make amends for the defeat in the SAFF Championships final. Their previous two wins have come with a margin of 9-0 and 6-0 but for now, they will take a 1-0 win to stay in the qualification hunt for the next stage.
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India vs Kuwait Team News:
India National Football Team News:
Despite the defeat to Afghanistan in the March qualifiers, India are still in the hunt for the qualification for the next round. The hosts will look to field a strong playing XI consisting of Lallianzuala Chhangte and Chhetri, The hosts will rely on the services of defenders Anwar Ali and Sandesh Jhingan.
Kuwait National Football Team News:
Kuwait will enter the contest knowing a win against India will see them reach the next stage of qualifiers. Both India and Kuwait are separated by just goal difference in the points table but India faces Asian Champions Qatar in their final match where they will be expected to lose heavily. Knowing the outcome, the Middle East nation will field the likes of Khaled Ebrahim and Eid Al Rasheedi while Salman Al-Awadhi will lead the line.
Predicted Lineups:
India National Football Team Predicted Lineup:
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Nikhil Poojary, Anwar Ali, Sandesh Jhingan, Akash Mishra, Jeakson Singh, Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Sunil Chhetri
Kuwait National Football Team Predicted Lineup:
Bader Al-Saanoun, Mahdi Dashti, Khaled Ebrahim, Abdullah Al-Buloushi, Hussain Ali Muhaisen, Hasan Al Enezi, Mubarak Al Fnaini, Sultan Al-Enezi, Eid Al Rasheedi, Ali-Ahmad-Khalaf Faraj-Matar, and Salman Al-Awadhi.
Head-to-Head record:
This will be the seventh meeting between the sides, with too much separating them in from those encounters. India have three matches while Kuwait have won two matches, with the solitary draw coming in last June’s SAFF Championship group stage contest while India won the final in Bengaluru. Interestingly, none of the six meetings have ended in goalless,, given as we can expect a goal feast from both sides.
The last two results:
- India 1 (5) -1 (4) Kuwait:- SAFF Championship Final – 4 July, 2023
- India 1-1 Kuwait:- SAFF Championship – 27 June, 2023
India vs Kuwait Prediction:
Both teams played out draws in the SAFF Championships last year but it was India who emerged victorious in the final on penalty shootout. We predict India could go one better this time as they have the incentive to bid farewell to the country’s greatest footballer ever Sunil Chhetri.
Predicted Score: India 2-1 Kuwait
Betting Tips and Odds:
Bookmakers expect India to secure a win against Kuwait at home.
- India win: 2/3
- Draw: 3/5
- Kuwait win: 5/6
Where to Watch India vs Kuwait Live?
Q. Where to watch India vs Kuwait live in India?
India vs Kuwait will be live on Sports 18 and the Jio Cinema App.
Q. Where to watch India vs Kuwait live game in UK?
The match between India vs Kuwait is available for broadcast in the UK.
Q. Where to watch India vs Kuwait live in USA?
The match between India vs Kuwait is available for broadcast in the USA.
Q. Where to watch India vs Kuwait live game in Kuwait?
India vs Kuwait match will be live on Fan Code App in Kuwait.
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