India will battle Australia, Uzbekistan, and Syria in the AFC Asian Cup 2023 with up to three teams moving onto the knockouts - a stage that has evaded the Blue Tigers ever since their runners-up finish in 1964
For the first time in history, the Indian national football team will compete in back-to-back continental cups. After nearly reaching the knockout stage in 2019, the Blue Tigers will look to cross the threshold that has, for aeons, kept them at an arm's length from Asia's footballing superpowers, in January's AFC Asian Cup 2023. (More Football News)
Qatar will host the AFC Asian Cup 2023, mere months after organising the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East. The hosts are also the reigning champions, having beaten the most successful side in the competition, Japan, four years ago in the United Arab Emirates. Apart from Japan and Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Korea Republic, IR Iran, Kuwait, Iraq, and Israel have won the tournament at least once. India's best finish remains second place, which they achieved in 1964 when the contest was still in its infancy.
India At AFC Asian Cup (1956-2019)
India have reached the AFC Asian Cup finals four times in history, starting with 1964, when they qualified by default and then finished second behind Israel. The Blue Tigers next played in the tournament in 1984, returning home from the Singapore-based event with a single point in the bag.
In 2011, India finished bottom of their group after losing all three group games by a combined aggregate of 13-3. However, eight years later, in the expanded version of the cup, they nearly reached the knockouts for the first time, only to be denied a berth by a last-minute goal in their final group match against Bahrain.
India's Squad For The AFC Asian Cup 2023
Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Vishal Kaith.
Defenders: Akash Mishra, Lalchungnunga, Mehtab Singh, Nikhil Poojary, Pritam Kotal, Rahul Bheke, Sandesh Jhingan, Subhasish Bose.
Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Deepak Tangri, Lalengmawia Ralte, Liston Colaco, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Sahal Abdul Samad, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Udanta Singh.
Forwards: Ishan Pandita, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manvir Singh, Rahul Kannoly Praveen, Sunil Chhetri, Vikram Partap Singh.
India At AFC Asian Cup 2023 All You Need To Know - Live Streaming, When And Where To Watch
When will the AFC Asian Cup 2023 begin?
The AFC Asian Cup 2023 will begin on January 12, 2024, with hosts Qatar opening the tournament against Lebanon. India will play their first match on January 13 against Australia, followed by their second against Uzbekistan five days later. The Blue Tigers will conclude their group campaign with a bout against Syria on January 23.
Which TV channel will broadcast the AFC Asian Cup 2023 live?
The Sports18 Network will broadcast the tournament live in India.
Where will the AFC Asian Cup 2023 be live streamed?
The AFC Asian Cup will be live streamed on the Jio Cinema app and website.
AFC Asian Cup 2023 Groups
Group A: Qatar, China PR, Tajikistan, Lebanon
Group B: Australia, Uzbekistan, Syria, India
Group C: IR Iran, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Palestine
Group D: Japan, Indonesia, Iraq, Vietnam
Group E: Korea Republic, Malaysia, Jordan, Bahrain
Group F: Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Kyrgyz Republic, Oman
India's Fixtures At AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023
January 13, 2024: Australia vs India (17:00 IST, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan)
January 18, 2024: India vs Uzbekistan (20:00 IST, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan)
January 23, 2024: Syria vs India (17:00 IST, Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor)