India defeated Kuwait 1-0 in their 2026 FIFA World Cup second-round qualifying encounter in Kuwait City thanks to a late goal by Manvir Singh.
In the 75th minute, Manvir scored at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium with a left-footed effort after Lallianzuala Chhangte crossed the ball. This gave India the victory.
In the third minute of extra time, Kuwait’s midfielder Faisal Alharbi received his second yellow card for a high boot challenge on Chhangte, and as a result, the game concluded with 10 men.
Next up, India takes face Asian champions Qatar in Bhubaneswar on November 21. India, along with Afghanistan, Qatar, and Kuwait, is grouped with two other teams in Group A. The top two teams in the group advance to the third stage of FIFA World Cup qualifying. Additionally, qualification for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup will be guaranteed for the top two teams in each group.
The Blue Tigers’ FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign has never progressed past the third round in the AFC.India, ranked 106th in the world, defeated Kuwait (ranked 149th) in the SAFF Championship final in July by penalty shootout.