The Indian football team has been drawn in Group C alongside Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangladesh for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, which are set to kick off in March next year.

India will aim to secure a spot in the continental competition once again, having successfully qualified for the last two editions — a feat achieved for the first time in their history.

The third round of qualifiers will consist of six groups, each featuring four teams. Matches will follow a round-robin format across two legs—home and away—with only the group winners securing direct qualification for the tournament, which will be held in Saudi Arabia.

The Blue Tigers will begin their campaign at home on March 25, facing Bangladesh in their opening fixture.

Ranked 127th in the FIFA rankings, India is the highest-ranked team in their group. Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangladesh are ranked 156th, 161st, and 185th, respectively.

India will not only aim to top their group but also be desperate to break their winless streak, having failed to secure a victory in their last 11 matches in 2024. Under the guidance of new head coach Manolo Marquez, who took charge in July, the team will be determined to deliver strong performances and regain their winning form.

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2024-2025