2018 FIFA Asian World Cup Qualifiers Draw: Complete Group List of Teams and India's Schedule

The draw for the second round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, which took place in Malaysia, has been concluded.  9811723856

India have been drawn alongside Iran, Turkmenistan, Oman and Guam. Things could not have gotten more difficult for India as Iran, the highest ranked team in the Asian Football Confederation, has been pooled in the same group as India.

India qualified for this stage after playing some good football in the first round of the qualifiers.

India should be able to defeat Guam, but are in a tricky situation with Turkmenistan, who are ranked 175 and 159, respectively. But, it is going to be a tough ask for India to win either of their matches against Oman or Iran.

With such Asian countries in Pool D, it is very difficult for India to progress to the final qualification phase for the World Cup. They need to either finish at the top of the group or be one of the four best second-placed team to progress ahead.

During the draw in Kuala Lumpur, India were slotted in Pot 3, which included teams such as Afghanistan, Philippines, Palestine, Maldives, Thailand, Tajikistan and Lebanon, whereas Iran and Oman were placed in pot one and two, respectively.

Top teams such as Saudi Arabia, Japan, and Korea Republic are expected to go through from their respective group stages. But, there are some groups, which stand out like group A comprising of both UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Australia and Jordan have been pitted in the same group (B) as well. Group G includes Korea Republic and Kuwait amongst other teams.

Complete Groups

Group A: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Timor Leste, Malaysia.

Group B: Australia, Jordan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh

Group C: China, Qatar, Maldives, Bhutan, Hong Kong

Group D: Iran, Oman, India, Turkmenistan, Guam

Group E: Japan, Syria, Afhganistan, Singapore, Cambodia

Group F: Iraq, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Chinese Taipei

Group G: Korea Republic, Kuwait, Lebanon, Myanmar, Laos

Group H: Uzbekistan, Bahrain, Philippines, DPR Korea, Yemen

Source: Fox Sports

India's fixture for the competition

11 June - India vs Oman

16 June - Guam vs India

8 September - India vs Iran

8 October - Turkmenistan vs India

13 October - India vs Oman

12 November - India vs Guam

24 March - India vs Iran

29 March - India vs Turmenistan

Source - Sports Keeda