2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Sunil Chhetri Denied A Sweet Farewell as Kuwait Holds India to Goalless Draw

It is the end of an illustrious career and an era of Indian football, as Sunil Chhetri called it time on his international career on a bitter note, as India slumped to a dismal 0-0 draw against Kuwait in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier in Kolkata on Thursday.

Kuwait started off on a high, pressuring the Indian backline consistently. But, the momentum would wane off as soon as it came, as the tables turned on the visitors, who were left scrambling later into the half.

India did their best to recover from a nightmarish start, and continued to pester and trouble the Kuwait back line. But, the lack of clinicality and composure in the midfield ensured that India wouldn’t find the breakthrough in the first half.

The likes of Liston provided India with a couple of glimpses at goal, but none more threatening than Anwar Ali’s misplaced header from the first corner, which would be the closest that India would get to scoring.

The going wouldn’t get any better but only tougher for both sides, who came out of the break into the second half looking more depleted than before.

Mayhem ensued all through the beginning of the second half as neither side could muster up the clinical final touch/pass or the composure to play the ball through the middle to create chances for themselves.

A glimmer of hope and a burst of attacking intent was added to the Indian ranks with the introduction of Rahim Ali, who menaced the Kuwait backline and was presented with two chances on goal, but couldn’t make anything happen.

Kuwait then turned the pressure around, as a couple of delectable passes and chances from Daham and Al Rashidi, but Gurpreet stood tall to deny them all.

A slogfest in the midfield ensued after the same, as both teams’ lack of quality and patience became evident, with ugly tussles for the ball multiplying in number as the game progressed.

In the end, no-one rose to the occasion, as the curtains dawned on Chhetri’ career and India’s hopes of qualification, with both teams sharing a point each with a 0-0 draw.

Sunil Chhetri has been representing the Indian football team for 19 years, and netted his first international goal in his debut against Pakistan back in 2005.

The 39-year-old currently holds the record for being the third-highest scorer of international goals (94) among active footballers, right after legends like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. But, active no more, as the Indian legend hangs his boots up.