Indian Football Team Head Coach: Surgery in Indian team… Coach removed, major reshuffle after defeat in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

Indian Football Team Head Coach Igor Stimac: After the crushing defeat in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the Indian football team has undergone a major surgery. The team’s head coach Igor Stimac has been dismissed. All India Football Federation (AIFF) has taken this decision on Monday (June 17).

Let us tell you that Stimac was made the head coach of the Indian football team in 2019. He was given an extension of one year till 2023 itself. But now AIFF took a tough decision and dismissed Stimac.

Stimac replaced Stephen Constantine in 2019. During Stimac’s tenure, India won 4 major trophies, which include two SAFF Championships, an Intercontinental Cup and a Tri Nations Series.

Took his team to the semi-finals in the World Cup

56 year old Stimac is from Croatian country and has played international matches for his team. The Croatian team performed well in the 1998 FIFA World Cup and entered the semi-finals. Igor Stimac also played with his team in that World Cup.

Croatia team stood third in the 1998 FIFA World Cup. But this time Stimac could not qualify the Indian team for the FIFA World Cup under his coaching. The Indian team could not make it to the third round in the World Cup qualifiers. It was defeated 2-1 by Qatar in the second round match.

The coach was removed from his post with immediate effect.

AIFF said in its statement, ‘The Indian men’s team had a disappointing performance in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification round. Keeping this result in mind, all the members unanimously decided to remove the coach.

The federation further said, ‘All members agreed that a new head coach would be the best option to take the team forward. A notice of removal from the post has been sent to Stimac and he is relieved of his responsibilities with immediate effect.