India's hopes of advancing in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers were dashed in a heart-wrenching 1-2 defeat against Qatar in their final Group A match at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha.
The match saw Lallianzuala Chhangte giving India an early lead, igniting hopes of a possible upset. However, controversy struck when Qatar's Yousef Aymen scored an equalizer under contentious circumstances. The controversy arose from a disputed decision where the ball appeared to have gone out of play before the goal was scored. Despite protests from the Indian team, the referee allowed the goal to stand, leaving the Indian players visibly frustrated.
The match took a decisive turn when Ahmed Al-Rawi netted Qatar's second goal, sealing India's fate and eliminating them from the qualifiers. The loss also confirmed Kuwait's progression to the next round from Group A after their victory over Afghanistan in another crucial match.
The controversy surrounding the match centered on the disputed goal by Qatar, which occurred after the ball had reportedly crossed the touchline, which should have led to a stoppage in play. As per the rules outlined by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the ball is considered out of play if it completely crosses the goal line or touchline, either on the ground or in the air. In this case, the decision to award the goal without the aid of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology fueled widespread criticism and debate among football fans globally.
The absence of VAR in the second round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers meant that the referee's decision, once made, could not be overturned despite the contentious nature of the incident. This has led to calls for greater accountability and fairness in officiating, with many fans expressing disappointment and anger over what they perceive as biased refereeing decisions.
The controversial goal against India has sparked widespread condemnation, with football enthusiasts around the world voicing their displeasure and demanding accountability from FIFA. Critics have pointed to the incident as a prime example of the need for more stringent officiating standards and the potential introduction of VAR in all stages of the World Cup qualifiers to ensure fairness and transparency.
Amidst the disappointment, Indian football supporters and analysts have praised the team's spirited performance throughout the qualifiers despite the unfortunate outcome in the crucial match against Qatar. The defeat marks the end of India's journey in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers, leaving fans and players alike reflecting on what could have been in a campaign that showcased both moments of promise and disappointment on the international stage.