India vs Kuwait: Can Sunil Chhetri end his illustrious career with a win in a must-win situation for India?

New Delhi: Sunil Chhetri, the highest goalscorer from India will have his “last dance” as India takes on Kuwait in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers. It is a crucial game for the Blue Tigers as a win in this game can improve the hopes of India to qualify for the third round of the FIFA Qualifiers.

Earlier, Chhetri had announced the decision to hang his boots after a successful career of over 20 years. Furthermore, the Indian is the highest-capped footballer in the country (149 appearances)  and the third highest goalscorer in the active footballers in the world (94 goals).

I'd like to say something… pic.twitter.com/xwXbDi95WV

— Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) May 16, 2024

Illustrious career of Sunil Chhetri 

Sunil Chhetri has a list of trophies with the Indian national team which includes:

• AFC Challenge Cup- 2008
• SAFF Championship- 2011, 2015, 2021, 2023
• Nehru Cup- 2007, 2009, 2012
• Intercontinental Cup- 2018, 2023
• Tri-nation series- 2023

Emotional message from Lukita

Talking about the last game of Sunil Chhetri, Real Madrid star and Croatian national football team captain Luka Modric shared an emotional message for Chhetri’s last football match. “Hi Sunil, I want to say congratulations and wish you all the best in your last game for the national team…”

Responding to Luka’s message, fellow countryman and India’s national team head coach, Igor Stimach has responded on a positive note assuring that they will do everything in their capacity to win the game.

On the other hand, Sunil has made it very clear in his pre-match interview, that this game will be just like “any other game”. It is prudent that this game doesn’t transpire just into Sunil’s retirement and be treated more as “Us vs Kuwait”. Now, the question that remains is can India send off its most loyal and long-time server with a cherishable win?

Thank you Luka 💙

We will do everything in our power to make our country and our captain proud 🇮🇳 @lukamodric10 @chetrisunil11 @IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/eHPyPfnToi

— Igor Štimac (@stimac_igor) June 5, 2024

India Squad against Kuwait

Goalkeepers

• Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
• Amrinder Singh
• Vishal Kaith

Defenders

• Anwar Ali
• Jay Gupta
• Lalchungnunga
• Mehtab Singh
• Narender
• Nikhil Poojary
• Rahul Bheke
• Subhasish Bose
• Amey Ranawade

For Sunil Chhetri. One Last Time. 🇮🇳

Watch #INDKUW LIVE only on JioCinema and Sports18! 📺#BlueTigers #IndianFootball #BackTheBlue pic.twitter.com/n4koeJSjur

— Arun Bhati (@ArunBhati_) June 6, 2024

Midfielders

• Anirudh Thapa
• Suresh Singh Wangjam
• Edmund Lalrindika
• Jeakson Singh Thounaojam
• Liston Colaco
• Sahal Abdul Samad
• Mahesh Singh Naorem
• Nandhakumar Sekar
• Brandon Fernandes
• Lallianzuala Chhangte

Forwards

• David Lalhlansanga
• Rahim Ali
• Sunil Chhetri
• Vikram Partap Singh
• Manvir Singh

When is the match between India and Kuwait?

India will take on Kuwait in a crucial do-or-die match at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Indian fans who want to see Chhetri’s “last dance” can tune on to the Jio Cinema app and the FIFA website. Moreover, the match will be broadcast on Sports 18 Network as well.