Kolkata
Defender Mehtab Singh left the India Senior Men’s Team camp in Kolkata due to personal reasons. The camp continues with 26 players preparing for the FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Kuwait on June 6 at the Salt Lake Stadium. This match will be the last appearance of Captain Sunil Chhetri in Indian colors.
Chhetri began his professional football career at Mohun Bagan in 2002. He led India to victories in the 2007, 2009, and 2012 Nehru Cups, as well as the 2011, 2015, 2021, and 2023 SAFF Championships. Chhetri also helped India win the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup, qualifying the team for the AFC Asian Cup for the first time in 27 years. With a career spanning 19 years, Chhetri has scored 94 goals in 150 international matches, making him the most-capped Indian footballer and the fourth-highest goal-scorer worldwide.
India and Kuwait have faced each other four times since 2010, with each team winning one match and drawing two. India is currently second in the qualifying group with four points from four matches. The team aims to secure a top-two finish in Round 3 of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and earn a spot at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027. The Indian football team arrived in Kolkata on Wednesday, focusing on the important match against Kuwait.
