Head Coach Igor Stimac of the Indian football team has made a bold statement, declaring his intention to step down from his position if the team fails to progress to the third round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Stimac emphasized the importance of securing qualification to the third round, aiming for a direct entry into the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

Speaking to reporters ahead of India's home match against Afghanistan, Stimac expressed his commitment, stating, "If I don't take India to the third round, I will leave, with my pride, with my honor, and everything that was done here in the five years of work. I will leave my position to someone else."

Despite India's current standing as the second-placed team in the group with four points from three games, the recent draw in the away leg against Afghanistan has made their task more challenging. Stimac acknowledged the difficulty but remains focused on achieving their goal.

Stimac, who has been leading the team since 2019 and recently received a contract extension until June 2026, stressed the need for longer preparatory camps for the national squad before major tournaments. He highlighted the success of previous extended camps and emphasized the positive impact on team performance.

Expressing concerns about the shortage of Indian strikers in the Indian Super League (ISL), Stimac pointed out that reliance on foreign players in scoring positions has been a persistent issue. He emphasized the importance of nurturing local talent and addressing the scoring problem that has plagued the team.

Reflecting on lessons learned from the disappointing campaign in the AFC Asian Cup, where India lost all three matches, Stimac emphasized the need to minimize mistakes and capitalize on opportunities. He stressed the importance of punishing the opposition for their errors to improve the team's performance in future competitions.

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