Ashley Westwood was in Qatar for the Asian Cup earlier this year and diligently took notes during India’s matches, all of which they lost. Seated next to him was national team defender Haroon Amiri.

Westwood, now the coach of the Afghanistan national team, has previously spent significant time in India and achieved success by winning a major trophy during each of his immensely successful first three years at Bengaluru FC.

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Turmoil in Afghan Football Squad Raises Concerns Ahead of World Cup Qualifiers Against India

His comprehension of Indian football surpasses that of many foreign coaches. However, as Afghanistan and India face each other in home-and-away matches in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers, Westwood’s preparation may not suffice. This is because the hosts are left with just four players from the full-strength squads that competed in and triumphed during the playoffs against Mongolia.

Eighteen players have subsequently boycotted the national team, citing “substandard treatment” by the Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF). The players allege that senior officials have been misappropriating funds intended for developing football in the country.

According to sources, only three players—midfielder Rahmat Akbari, Omid Popalzay, and Mosawer Ahadi—have now resumed their positions in the national team. However, influential players such as captain Farshad Noor, his predecessor Faysal Shayesteh, and Southend United’s Noor Husin have maintained their boycott stance.

A source informed Times of India that it was understood Afghanistan would have to field a significantly weakened side. They added that India should be clear favorites for both the away and home clashes.

“Afghanistan are compelled to field a significantly weakened side,” a source informed Times of India. “India should be clear favorites for both the away and home clashes.”

If Afghanistan holds any advantage, it will be playing at Abha, their home venue situated at 2,470 meters above sea level, in Saudi Arabia.

Stimac Adapts Team Schedule for Ramadan-Adjusted Kickoff in Crucial World Cup Qualifier Against Afghanistan

Stimac mentioned on Sunday that upon their arrival in Saudi Arabia, they immediately began working. He explained that their objective was to assist the players in relaxing after a long flight and in adjusting to the altitude as much as possible. He further stated that due to Ramadan, the holy month for Muslims who fast from dawn to dusk, their match would start at 22:00 there. Therefore, they had shifted their daily schedule forward by a few hours to help the players align their biorhythms accordingly.

“We immediately got to work upon arriving in Saudi Arabia,” Stimac stated on Sunday. “Our aim was to help the players relax after a long flight and assist them in acclimating to the altitude as much as possible. Since our match will commence at 22:00 here (due to Ramadan, the holy month for Muslims who fast from dawn to dusk), we have adjusted our daily schedule forward by a few hours so that players can align their biorhythms accordingly.“

Afghanistan has suffered defeats in both their games against Qatar (1-8) and Kuwait (0-4) and currently occupies the bottom position in the four-team pool.

India, on the other hand, currently occupies the third position due to their inferior goal difference. They secured an away victory against Kuwait but suffered a home defeat against Qatar (0-3). A top-two finish in the group will ensure progression to Round 3 of the qualifiers, a feat that India has never accomplished before.

India’s home clash against Afghanistan is scheduled to take place in Guwahati on March 26th.