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The Indian football team commenced the second round of their FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC Qualifiers with a 1-0 win against Kuwait on Thursday night at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait. Following the Blue Tigers' victory, Indian fans celebrated by chanting "India, India" outside the stadium in huge numbers as the videos have gone viral on social media.
India forward Manvir Singh scored the only goal in Friday's match, which helped his side beat the hosts, Kuwait. India and Kuwait are placed in Group A of the second round alongside Qatar and Afghanistan. India clinched the second spot in the standings with a 1-0 win over Kuwait as Qatar managed a better goal difference.
The videos have gone viral on social media, where Indian fans appeared to celebrate India's win against Kuwait outside the stadium. The fans chanted "India, India" slogans and were also seen dancing and celebrating in ecstasy.
Watch the videos here:
What is the FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC Qualification scenario?
AFC teams are allotted eight direct qualifications and one inter-confederation play-off berth in the FIFA World Cup. A total of nine groups including four teams each featured in the second round of the World Cup qualifications, and the top two sides from each group will qualify for the third round. The 18 qualified teams will be further divided into three groups of six teams each as the top two placed teams from each group will qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup.
Apart from those six teams, six third and fourth-placed teams from the third round will be further divided into two groups of three teams each. While the winners of each group qualify for the World Cup, the runners-up of each group advance to the fifth round. The two runners-up will face each other over two legs to determine the Asian representation at the inter-confederation play-offs.
