While the 2026 FIFA World Cup sees minnows like Cape Verde surprising established nations, India remains absent. Captain Sandesh Jhingan and goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu highlight the critical need for a stable, structured domestic league and consistent participation in the Asian Cup as crucial steps towards World Cup qualification.While the 2026 FIFA World Cup sees minnows like Cape Verde surprising established nations, India remains absent. Captain Sandesh Jhingan and goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu highlight the critical need for a stable, structured domestic league and consistent participation in the Asian Cup as crucial steps towards World Cup qualification.