The regional football federation has confirmed that India will compete in the Central Asian Football Association’s (CAFA) Nations Cup next month along with Iran and Uzbekistan, both of whom qualified for the FIFA 2026 World Cup.
The second tournament’s schedule will run from August 29 to September 8 with the victory of Iran in the opening contest in 2023.
The hosts are Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
After decades of hostility and conflict since the Soviet Union’s fall in 1991, the regional tournament highlights a significant thaw in diplomatic ties between Central Asian nations.
With only one month left, CAFA said that preparations are in full swing for a tournament that will promote international cooperation and promote football in the area.
The six CAFA members, which include India, will also compete: Afghanistan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
Oman will participate in the tournament for the second time after receiving an invitation.
Due to its membership in UEFA, Kazakhstan, a vast nation in Central Asia and a major regional power, will not play in the tournament.
The historic Uzbekistan’s victory in the World Cup finals last month was viewed as a sign of Central Asian nations’ rapid expansion, which has traditionally been more successful in combat sports than team sports.
The former Soviet republics of Central Asia have made a number of notable advancements in recent years.
All have a strong state support, with Emomali Rahmon, the president’s son, leading CAFA.
The Indian Super League (ISL), India’s top domestic competition, is currently without a coach, and is in danger of crashing due to a dispute between the federation and its business partner.
Sunil Chhetri, India’s renowned veteran striker, posted on X about the ISL’s future because of the current upheaval.
Source: Aljazeera
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