The name Sunil Chhetri is almost synonymous with the Indian national football team. The striker has established himself as one of the greatest players in the history of Indian football. Proudly standing third on the highest active international goal scorers’ list, just behind the arguably greatest players of all time, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Chhetri has helped the Indian national team gain recognition worldwide. His contribution to Indian football and his goalscoring capability have helped India climb up the FIFA rankings and bag multiple silverware.

Chhetri has scored nine goals in 19 World Cup Qualifiers appearances till now. As India step into the international break preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, let’s take a look at the goals Chhetri has scored in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers so far:

2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: 2 goals

Captain Fantastic found the back of the net twice during their encounter against Lebanon during the 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, one in each leg. On October 8, 2007, at the Saida International Stadium, Sidon, he scored the opener for the Blue Tigers only for them to finish the match with a 1-4 loss. He scored his second goal in the reverse fixture, at the Fatorda Stadium, Goa, where they managed to hold Lebanon to a 2-2 draw. 

2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: 4 goals

The 39-year-old doubled his tally from the 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers as he bagged four goals during this campaign. He scored a brace against Nepal to gift India a 2-0 win in round one, at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati on March 12, 2015. He followed it up by scoring the equaliser against Oman in their 2-1 loss on June 11, 2015, at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bangalore. He scored his final goal of the campaign during their 2-1 loss against Guam at the Guam F.A. National Training Center, Harmon, in the form of a dying-minute consolation goal. 

2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: 3 goals

On September 5, 2019, at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati, the Bengaluru FC captain scored the opener against Oman to give his team a lead which they could only defend until the 82nd minute of the match. An Al-Alawi brace, scoring in the 82nd minute and 90th minute of the match, saw Oman snatch a 2-1 victory from under the noses of India through a wonderful comeback. Chhetri managed another brace to his name when they took on Bangladesh at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, on June 7, 2021. They eased past Bangladesh 2-0 but only finished third on the group table.

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Bengaluru FC2023-2024 Sunil Chhetri