India vs Kuwait highlights, IND 0-0 KUW, FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier: Sunil Chhetri retires as India’s highest goalscorer with 94

It is not the ideal ending for Sunil Chhetri’s international career as the match finishes goalless. India has to wait for third-round qualification and entry into the AFC Asian Cup. 

151 appearances for India. 94 goals and 11 assists. 

While it has not been a fairytale ending for the Indian captain, he leaves as India’s most decorated footballer. As he finishes his final match for the Blue Tigers, all we can say is - Thank you Sunil Chhetri. 

Brandon has the chance to make something happen right at the end from a freekick but it is a disappointing delivery from him as floated cross goes out of play. 

India booking: Edmund is shown a yellow card for his tussle with Al-Sanea

Kuwait booking: Alenezi shows a yellow card for reacting. 

A tussle breaks out between Edmund and Al-Sanea as both go for the ball near the touchline. Alenezi barges in and shoves Edmund to the ground right in front of the referee and there is drama right at the end of the match. 

Brandon whips in the ball inside the box as Rahim Ali tries to get a touch. However, the latter fails to do so as Kuwait clears the ball. 

Seven minutes added at the end of the second half. 

Kuwait subs: IN- Al-Sanea, Al Hajeri OUT- Aldosary, Ibrahim 

India sub: IN- Edmund OUT- Jay Gupta

Edmund Lalrindika makes his India debut. He is the first I-League player to make an Indian debut in five years. Last player to do so was Salam Ranjan Singh. 

India vs Kuwait, FIFA World Cup qualifiers: Edmund makes international debut as first I-League player in five years

The FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier between India and Kuwait saw Edmund Lalrindika becoming the first I-League player to make India debut in half a decade.

India launches a counter-attack. Chhetri gets the ball and passes it to Rahim Ali. Ali spots Chhangte to his left and tries to spread it to him. However, the pass is overhit and Ibrahim makes a good challenge to thwart the attack. 

Kuwait subs: IN- Al Khalaf, Alenezi OUT- Alrashidi, Abujabarah 

Chhangte has the chance to pick out one of his three teammates inside the box. He opts to send the ball to Manvir at the far-post, who tries to control the ball but fails to do so. 

A great first touch by Alsulaimani as he brings down the ball inside the box. Anwar Ali makes the challenge, which brings him down. There is a big penalty shout but the referee waves the claims away. That is a close one. 

India sub: IN- Manvir OUT- Colaco 

Abdulah gets the ball near the Indian penalty area. With time and space to shoot, he pulls the trigger only to see his effort sail above the crossbar. 

The match is going through a slight fall in tempo as both teams seem to be taking a breather before making a final surge again in the last 15 minutes. 

Kuwait subs: IN- Aldhefiri OUT- Alharbi 

Brandon’s corner reaches Chhetri first, who cannot get a clean touch. Bheke then tries to power a header at goal but fails to get a decent touch, as Abdulghafoor collects the ball. 

Brandon shows good vision to thread a ball for Chhangte on the right flank. Chhangte looks to create something but takes a touch too many as Alanezi gets back in time to make a tackle and send the ball out for a corner. 

Kuwait booking: Alanezi sees a yellow card for chopping down Rahim Ali as India looked to start a counter attack. 

Alrashidi dispatches a venomous shot from the edge of the box. Gurpreet is alert enough to make a solid save at his near-post. Alrashidi also did well to beat Jay Gupta before he pulled the trigger. 

Bheke threads a measured-through ball as Rahim Ali makes a run through the channel. He makes his way inside the box and shoots low. However, he only manages to hit the advertisement boards. But positive intent from the Indians. 

At the other end, Rahim has a chance to open the scoring for his team. He makes his way inside the box and is one-on-one with Kuwait keeper Abdulghafoor. He shoots low but the Kuwait keeper gets down quickly to make a good save. 

What a start to the second-half!

Alharbi goes for a first-time shot from a tight angle after getting at the end of a cross from the left. Gurpreet sticks out his right hand and makes a good save. 

India subs: IN- Rahim, Brandon OUT- Thapa, Sahal

An attacking move from coach Stimac as the start of the second-half.

The second-half of the India vs Kuwait FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier is underway at the Salt Lake Stadium. 

Chhetri has 45 minutes of football left as an Indian player. 

It is all square at the Salt Lake Stadium as the team breaks for half-time. India has had the occasional chances but is yet to actually find its footing and impact the match. 

Chhetri has not been able to get as involved as he would have wanted to as he dons the national colours for the last time. 

Stay tuned. We will be back in the second half bringing you live updates from the India vs Kuwait FIFA World Cup qualifier.

Chhangte is played a long ball, as the player tries to peel off his man. However, the pass is overhit and even the pacy Chhangte cannot prevent the ball from going out of play. 

Four minutes added at the end of the first-half!

Chhangte shows his quick feet to get past his marker on the right flank. He takes on Alenezi and makes a run. He looks for a low cross but ends up delaying it, leading to his cross being blocked. 

A talking point from India’s gameplay is its tendency to rush things. That is something Stimac will most likely talk about during half-time. 

Alrashidi looks for Abdulah with an inswinging cross from the right but the Indian backline is alert enough to clear the ball from danger. 

Sahal tries to pass the ball to Poojary on the right touchline but a bit of miscommunication leads to Chhangte getting the touch and taking the ball away from the Indians. The Blue Tigers are yet to have a shot on target in this match. 

Alrashidi has a sight at goal as he pulls the trigger from distance. He shoots hard and low but fails to keep the ball on target. Gurpreet already had his goal covered by the looks of it. 

India keeping a high line after the drinks break. It manages to keep Kuwait players on their toes with a good spell of pressure in and around the penalty area. However, Bento’s men stay calm and prevent the Indians from creating an major opening. 

Thapa swings in another excellent cross inside the box from the freekick. The ball is initially cleared but falls to Sahal, whose shot is blocked. The rebound falls to Colaco, who puts his laces through the ball, but only manages to hit the side-netting. 

Abdulah fouls Poojary and India has a freekick in a promising position. 

It is end-to-end football as India gets another chance at the other end. Jay Gupta makes a darting run down the left flank and spots Sahal, making a run in support. He goes for a low cross and the bend on the ball was beautiful but Alenezi is there again to anticipate the cross and send the ball out for a corner. Alenezi has made two goal-saving interceptions till now. 

Chance - Alharbi lobs the ball, sending Alrashidi clear on goal. Gurpreet comes off his line, prompting Alrashidi to try and chip the keeper. However, he cannot keep his effort on target. A nervous moment for the Indians. 

India is not being able to win the second balls, which is the reason why Kuwait is dominating in the middle of the park. 

Kuwait captain Yousel Alsulaiman takes a shot at Gurpreet’s near post from a fair way out as the Indian keeper watches the ball go out of play. That effort never looked to threaten the Indian keeper. 

Kuwait has its defensive shape set in and India will need to work hard in order to find an opening. So far, the Al Azraq have made no mistake at the back, contrary to the Blue Tigers, who have looked sloppy on occasions. 

Poojary’s cross inside the box is header away but the ball falls to Chhangte at the edge of the box. He cuts in and tries to curl the ball into the top-left corner. However, the effort has too much power and misses the target by a considerable margin. Chhangte has a wry smile after that miss. He knows on another occasion, he would have made the keeper work. 

Thapa whips in an excellent cross inside the box from the corner and Anwar Ali meets the ball with his head. His connection is strong but he cannot keep his header on target. Another excellent chance for the Blue Tigers to take the lead. 

Colaco uses his raw pace to get to the ball on the left flank. He gets past the defender and squares the ball, hoping to find Chhetri, who had made the run. However, Alenezi is there to make the interception and send the ball out for a corner. 

Daham makes his way inside the box and then cuts back. He tries to lob the ball at the far-post with the intention of finding a teammate but Gurpreet uses his big reach and plucks the ball mid-air. 

Every India touch is inviting a huge roar from the Salt Lake crowd. The fans are doing their part. The Indians are yet to find a footing in this crucial qualifier. 

Alenezi and Abdulah try to move the ball with a slick one-two but Chhangte ends up fouling Alenezi as the player winces in pain and goes to the ground. The tackle had no malice but looked painful. 

Mohamed Abdulah times his run to perfection as a through ball pierces the Indian backline and reaches the Kuwait No. 9. He makes a run at goal and tries to pass it to the far-corner but Gurpreet manages to come off his line and get a touch of the ball. The ball hits the outside of the side-netting and goes out for a corner. 

An open start to the match as both teams look to start on an attacking note. 

The FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier between India and Kuwait is underway at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) in Kolkata. 

India captain Sunil Chhetri making his 151st and final appearance in national colours. 

Sulaiman(GK), Alenezi, Ibrahim, Abdulah, Alharbi, Alrashidi, Aldousari, Abujabarah, Saleh(C), Alsulaiman, Hasan Alenezi

It’s now been 203 days since the Indian team last tasted victory when it beat Kuwait1-0 away from home.

Since then, there has been a forgettable Asian Cup campaign, spurned opportunities against Afghanistan in the World Cup qualifier, calls for Igor Stimac to be axed and a huge Sunil Chhetri retirement announcement. There have also been no goals from open play in the following 555 regulation minutes. 

India’s qualification to the third round of the qualifiers in Group A hangs by a thread and so does Stimac’s position. Yet, Stimac got his way with an extended training camp since the middle of May and also for the match to be held in Kolkata to receive strong home support for the final push.

Amidst all the setbacks, the mood remains upbeat, as India is set to host Kuwait in the reverse fixture at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Thursday.

Read full preview HERE

India vs Kuwait: Chhetri swansong hoping to take India into third round of World Cup qualifier

India’s qualification to the third round of the World Cup qualifiers in Group A hangs by a thread and so does head coach, Igor Stimac’s position.

When and where will the India vs Kuwait FIFA World Cup qualifier kick-off?

The India vs Kuwait FIFA World Cup qualifier will kick-off at 7:00 PM IST on Thursday, June 6, at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) in Kolkata. 

Where to watch the India vs Kuwait FIFA World Cup qualifier match?

The India vs Kuwait FIFA World Cup qualifier will be telecast live on the Sports 18 1, Sports 18 1 HD and Sports 18 3 TV channels in India. 

Live streaming of the match will be available on Jio Cinema.