India fires coach after end of 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign

Published on 2024-06-18 05:18:09From：Football World+Entering

NEW DELHI (AP) — India coach Igor Stimac was fired on Monday, four days after the team’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup ended.

Losing to Qatar 2-1 on Thursday dropped India to third in its four-team group in the second round of Asia qualification. Only the top two teams progressed to the third stage.

The end of Stimac’s five-year tenure was announced after a meeting of the All India Football Federation.

“Noting the disappointing outcome of the ... qualification campaign, the members unanimously agreed that a new head coach would be best placed to take the team forward,” the AIFF said in a statement.

“The AIFF thanks Mr. Stimac for his service to the national team and wishes him well in his future endeavors.”

Stimac, a former player with West Ham and Derby and former coach of Croatia, was handed a contract extension in October to June 2026.

Yet, this has been a disappointing year. It started with India finishing bottom of its Asian Cup group following three defeats in three games and no goals scored.

In March came a shock World Cup qualifying home loss against Afghanistan, ranked 30 places below India at 151st.

RELATED COVERAGE

Slovakia players celebrate after Ivan Schranz, second right, scored the opening goal during the Group E match between Belgium and Slovakia at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Frankfurt, Germany, Monday, June 17, 2024. (Swen Pfoertner/dpa via AP)

Belgium stunned by Slovakia 1-0 with VAR denying Lukaku twice at Euro 2024

Georgia's head coach Willy Sagnol, center, speaks to the team during training session of Georgia's national soccer team in Velbert, Germany, Thursday, June 13, 2024. (Fabian Strauch/dpa via AP)

Georgia’s players trying to snap out of their dream ahead of historic first match at Euro 2024

FILE - Dancers perform during the opening ceremony ahead of the Group A match between Germany and Scotland at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Munich, Germany, Friday, June 14, 2024. A German YouTuber says he made it onto the field during the European Championship opening ceremony while disguised in a mascot costume. Marvin Wildhage has published a video appearing to show how he entered the stadium in a fake costume and danced on the corner of the field during the ceremony before being led away by a UEFA staff member. (Peter Kneffel/dpa via AP, File)

YouTube prankster says he was on the field at Euro 2024 opening ceremony dressed as mascot

Successes during Stimac’s time included two regional South Asian Championships.

In March, he promised he would resign if he failed to make the next stage of World Cup qualifying. He said, “If I don’t take India to the third round I will leave, with my pride, with my honor on everything that was done here in the five years of work. I will leave my position to someone else.”

A replacement is expected to be named before India’s next match in September.