The Indian men’s football team has arrived in Kolkata for their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier against Kuwait, which will also mark the final international game for captain Sunil Chhetri on June 6. The team will be continuing their training camp in Kolkata, with the first on-field session scheduled for Thursday, May 30.
Having started the second round of World Cup qualifiers with a historic 1-0 win over Kuwait, India’s performance has seen a decline with a 0-3 loss to Qatar and disappointing results against Afghanistan. The team, led by head coach Igor Stimac, will need to finish in the top two of their group to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup and advance to the third round of World Cup qualifiers.
While the focus will be on securing qualification, the spotlight will be on Sunil Chhetri as he prepares to bid farewell to international football. The all-time leading goalscorer for India announced that the match against Kuwait will be his final appearance for the national team.
In an emotional message on Instagram, Chhetri expressed his gratitude for the sport and his teammates, stating that every moment on the pitch has been a blessing. As he prepares for his last training session, the Indian football legend leaves behind a legacy of leadership and inspiration for the next generation of players.