World Cup 2018: The history of Indian football team in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

Bob Houghton was put in charge for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

The 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers had 4.5 spots for grabs for the 43 AFC affiliated teams. Moreover, this was the first time Australia attempted to qualify for the World Cup as a member of the AFC. This year there were four rounds with an additional round to determine who would represent AFC at the AFC-OFC Intercontinental Play-Off.

In the first round, India was randomly paired with Lebanon to play a home-and-away fixture. In the away fixture at Saida International Stadium, Sunil Chhetri gave India the lead but India lost the game 4-1. In the reverse fixture, India managed a 2-2 draw with goals coming from Sunil Chhetri and Steven Dias.

Lebanon won 6-3 on aggregate and advanced to the next round.