India emerged victorious with an impressive 1-0 triumph in the opening match of the 2026 Fifa World Cup second round qualifiers at the Jaber Al-Ahmed International Stadium in Kuwait City.

The game commenced with the Indian team diligently seeking opportunities to score a goal. However, neither team managed to find the back of the net during the entirety of the first half. It was not until the 75th minute of the second half when Manvir Singh, with an assist from Lallianjuazala Chhangte successfully scored the sole goal of the match. This decisive goal resulted in India’s victory.

Indian National Football Team head coach Igor Stimac spoke to the media along with player Manvir Singh after FIFA World Cup Qualifiers game against Kuwait. Given below are the excerpts.

During the press conference, Indian Football Team coach Igor Stimac and player Manvir Singh displayed evident satisfaction regarding the team’s performance. They eloquently conveyed their thoughts on the matter of utmost importance.

Igor Stimac said, “I am not surprised by the outcome, but I always maintain respect for our opponents. Nevertheless, I have complete confidence in our team and their abilities. Our goal is to win the game, although it is important to exercise caution when expressing such sentiments, as it may be perceived as underestimating our opponents. I have utmost trust in our team and the effort they have put in over the past four and a half years.”

“We have worked diligently with them, supporting and guiding them, acknowledging their mistakes and urging them to persevere. And now, we are beginning to see the results of our efforts. We maintained complete control over the game and denied Kuwait any opportunity."

He added, " I had some concerns as we were missing three key players due to significant injuries, but the players who took their place did an exceptional job.”