Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri reckons it will be humongous and the country will go mad if they go on to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. Chhetri said he has been waiting for the big occasion and said it is going to be the best day of his life.

India has been drawn into Group A of the 2026 World Cup second-round qualifiers matches, which includes Qatar, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. The Blue Tigers will travel to Kuwait on November 16 before facing Qatar in Bhubaneswar on November 21.

“When that happens, the country will go mad. As an Indian, it’s going to be one of the best days of my life. I have so many dreams about that day. It is going to be humongous. The anticipation, the hope that it will bring to the complete nation is something that I know I will never forget in my life. There are so many people like me who can’t wait to see that day, and I just hope it comes soon for us,” Sunil Chhetri was quoted as saying by FIFA.

“When I dream, I dream more as an Indian, more as a fan. Me being there in any capacity, it doesn’t matter, because I know I’ll be a fan. I’ll be watching every game that India plays and rooting for my country.

“Right now, I feel really good physically. I can see that I do contribute to the team, both for my country and my club. As long as I’m enjoying it, I will be here. I don’t know how many days, how many months, how many years that will be. The day I stop enjoying, and the day I can’t contribute, I will be done.

Chhetri has played 143 matches for the Blue Tigers since making his debut in 2005 against Pakistan. Since then he has scored 93 goals, the most by an Indian. He is currently the third-highest international football goal-scorer, behind legendary players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

India is currently placed at the 102nd place in the FIFA rankings and they will need to play out of their skins in the qualifiers to qualify for the showpiece event.