The Indian men’s football team will lock horns with Australia in its AFC Asian Cup 2023 opener at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar on January 13.

Led by talismanic captain Sunil Chhetri, the Indian football team has been drawn in Group B alongside Australia, Uzbekistan and Syria. India’s matches in the AFC Asian Cup football tournament will be available on live streaming and telecast in India.

After facing Australia in their campaign opener, the Blue Tigers are scheduled to face Uzbekistan at the same venue on January 18.

Under the tutelage of head coach Igor Stimac, India will take on Syria in the third and final group match to be played at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor on January 23.

As many as 24 teams will participate in the 18th edition of the AFC Asian Cup to be hosted by Qatar. These participating teams have been divided into six groups of four teams each. 

Each team will play the other sides in their group once. The top two teams from each group along with the four best third-placed teams will advance to the knockout stage that comprises the round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final.

The AFC Asian Cup 2023 final is scheduled to be played at the Lusail Stadium on February 10.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced a 26-member squad for the AFC Asian Cup 2023. The Sunil Chhetri-led side includes several familiar names including goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, defender Sandesh Jhingan, midfielder Anirudh Thapa and forward Lallianzuala Chhangte.

The likes of Brandon Fernandes and Sahal Abdul Samad, who were earlier doubtful, have also been selected.

However, India will miss the services of Anwar Ali, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Ashique Kuruniyan and Rohit Kumar due to injuries. 

Since the inception of the AFC Asian Cup in 1956, India has qualified for the continental football championship on five occasions in 1964, 1984, 2011, 2019 and 2023.

AFC Asian Cup 2023 Indian football team squad

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

Indian football team’s AFC Asian Cup 2023 schedule and live match start times

All match times are in India Standard Time (IST)

Day and Date

Match

Venue

Time (IST)

Saturday, January 13

Australia vs India

Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan

5:00 PM

Thursday, January 18

India vs Uzbekistan 

Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan

8:00 PM

Tuesday, January 23

Syria vs India

Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor

5:00 PM

Where to watch AFC Asian Cup 2023 live in India

The AFC Asian Cup 2023 matches will be telecast live on Sports18 Network’s TV channels in India.

Live streaming of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 will be available on the JioCinema app and website.

Photo credit: Alamy