India isn’t playing at the 2026 World Cup because it failed to qualify for the competition via the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualifiers.

The Blue Tigers couldn’t make it past the second round, finishing third in Group A behind Qatar (who ultimately made it to the World Cup with a bunch of naturalized players) and Kuwait.

A 2-1 loss to Qatar on June 12, 2024, officially eliminated India from 2026 World Cup contention. Qatar, on the other hand, went on to qualify for the competition as the No. 56 ranked team on the FIFA ranking.

Has India ever played at a FIFA World Cup?

India has never played at a FIFA World Cup. The closest the country came to being represented in soccer’s biggest tournament came in 1950, when it secured automatic qualification after all the other teams in its AFC qualifying group withdrew.

However, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) ultimately followed its fellow Asian teams’ decision and withrew as well. In the end, the 1950 World Cup in Brazil was played with no Asian teams.

The 9 AFC teams at the 2026 World Cup

With India failing to make the cut, the nine AFC representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup are Australia, Iraq, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan.

[Watch United States vs India live for free in the USA on Fubo]

It is one of the most anticipated duels of the tournament in Group A. On one side will be the locals, the United States, who aim to leverage their home advantage. The Americans have had a strong start to the tournament and are now ready to take on their toughest challenge yet.

With victories against Canada and Pakistan, they now face their most complex duel. Their opponents will be none other than India, one of the main contenders for the title, who also started with two victories as expected. This will be a great game with nothing less than the leadership of the group at stake.

When will the United States vs India match be played?

The United States vs India for this 2024 ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup is scheduled for this Wednesday, June 11, at 10:30 AM (ET).

United States vs India: Time by State in the USA

ET: 10:30 AM
CT: 9:30 AM
MT: 8:30 AM
PT: 7:30 AM

How to watch United States vs India in the USA

In the USA, the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup game between United States and India can be seen through Fubo (free trial). Other options: Willow TV.

The decision is another example of Cristiano Ronaldo’s impact as many stars have followed his path. Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane and, most recently, Neymar. Though all these players had some years left in Europe, Cristiano’s experience combined with massive offers were key factors.

Now, in the middle of this incredible expansion from Saudi Arabia, the AFC Champions League has emerged as a massive possibility for Neymar. All these players will try to put the region in the spotlight as everything they do is meticulously compared with Lionel Messi at MLS.

Neymar produces amazing reaction in India after AFC Champions League draw

Millions of fans in Asia were looking carefully at the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League draw considering all the superstars who might go to play in their countries for the first time ever.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane with Al Nassr, Karim Benzema of Al Ittihad or Neymar as the latest addition of Al Hilal. It’s the most important soccer event in the region and, thanks to these names, it just got to another level.

Mumbai City were drawn into Group D of the competition alongside Nassaji Mazandaran of Iran and Navbahor Namangan of Uzbekistan. However, when luck determined Al Hilal would be also their rivals, the players had an incredible reaction.

The moment was epic as Neymar will travel to India, one of the most populated countries in the world where soccer has been growing tremendously. A few years ago, no one would imagine that a superstar would play there. It looked just impossible. The date is set: November 6.

This World Cup is proving that we shouldn’t take any team for granted, as in the first week we have already witnessed some memorable upsets. Argentina and Germany, for instance, were shocked by Saudi Arabia and Japan, respectively.

Another Asian team that made an impression in its debut in Qatar was South Korea, who held Uruguay to a goalless draw. The AFC level is very demanding, and India suffered it during the qualifiers.

Why India is not playing in Qatar 2022

India are not playing at Qatar 2022 because they were eliminated in the second round of the Asian World Cup qualifiers. India finished third in Group E with seven points, 11 shy of Oman and 15 less than leaders Qatar.

Who do you think will emerge victorious this year? Using this World Cup Predictor, you can see every potential outcome of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Enjoy all the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup matches from the United States through FuboTV. Click here and to take advantage of their 7-day free trial offer.