India has been grouped with Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangladesh in Group C for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers. The qualifiers, set to begin in March 2025, will determine which teams secure their spot in the prestigious tournament scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia.
The Indian team, coached by Manolo Marquez, will begin its preparations for the qualifiers on March 14, shortly after the conclusion of the Indian Super League (ISL) league stage. India’s campaign kicks off at home against Bangladesh on March 25, 2025.
India’s Ranking Advantage
India is the highest-ranked team in Group C, sitting at 127th in the FIFA rankings. Their group rivals are ranked significantly lower, with Hong Kong at 156th, Singapore at 161st, and Bangladesh at 185th. This positioning makes India the favorites to progress from the group.
In their previous encounters, India has had mixed results. The Blue Tigers defeated Hong Kong 4-0 during the 2023 Asian Cup qualifiers in Kolkata but were held to a 1-1 draw against Bangladesh in the 2021 SAFF Championship group stages. The last match against Hong Kong came in 2022, where Ashique Kuruniyan scored a crucial goal in a 1-1 draw in Vietnam.
Qualifiers Format
The third round of the qualifiers will see six groups of four teams each. Teams will face each other in a round-robin format over two legs, home and away. The winners of each group will secure direct qualification for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 in Saudi Arabia.
Group C Full Schedule
- March 25, 2025: India vs Bangladesh, Singapore vs Hong Kong
- June 10, 2025: Bangladesh vs Singapore, Hong Kong vs India
- October 9, 2025: Bangladesh vs Hong Kong, Singapore vs India
- October 14, 2025: Hong Kong vs Bangladesh, India vs Singapore
- November 18, 2025: Bangladesh vs India, Hong Kong vs Singapore
- March 31, 2026: India vs Hong Kong, Singapore vs Bangladesh
Road to Redemption
India has a tough challenge ahead, having ended 2024 without a win in 11 outings. However, with experienced players and the home advantage in key fixtures, the team will look to turn the tide.
Coach Manolo Marquez will aim to capitalize on India’s higher ranking and past performances against their group rivals. The journey to the AFC Asian Cup 2027 begins in earnest, with Indian football fans hopeful for a successful campaign and a spot in the prestigious tournament.
