“Unfair At The Highest Level”: Qatar’s Controversial Goal And India’s Exit From FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (image-X/TheKhelIndia)
The FIFA World Cup 2026 second round qualifier between India and Qatar on Tuesday at Doha’s Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium has led to a massive controversy. A controversial goal for Yousef Aymen and the winner from Ahmed Al-Rawi in the last few minutes secured the game for Qatar. India’s World Cup dream has unfortunately come to an end with a 1-2 loss. The Indian team has been eliminated from the tournament in the second round.
When everything seemed to go in favour of India, with Lallianzuala Chhangte giving a lead in the 37th minute of the match, the 73rd minute led to India’s defeat and the controversy. Yousef Aymen scored the goal, but the ball had clearly crossed the line when Al-Hashmi backheeled it into the box, and Aymen struck the goal.
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While the Indian players protested, the hosts began celebrating their win. Sandhu headed straight to the line referee to ask him to intervene; however, the linesmen, the referee, and the match officials remained adamant in their decision despite the Indian players requesting the referee, Kim Woo-Sung, to reconsider his decision.
A sea of anger and criticism has risen across social media, calling the decision “biased” and “unfair.”
An X (formerly known as Twitter) user said, “The worst part about this is that Qatar 🇶🇦 players No. 5 & 6 clearly knew that the ball had gone outside, and still they continued celebrating the Goal. UNFAIR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL”
The worst part about this is that Qatar 🇶🇦 players No. 5 & 6 clearly knew that the ball had gone outside, and still they continued celebrating the Goal
UNFAIR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL 😡 pic.twitter.com/O9tKeTuFq0
— The Khel India (@TheKhelIndia) June 11, 2024
Another tagged the official handle of FIFA and said, “Dear FIFA, Qatar robbed India’s spot for FIFA World Cup by cheating openly. It’s clearly visible that ball has crossed the line for a goal-kick, but the nasty Qataris pull it back to tuck in. It’s not a legal Goal. We want a Rematch with Cheaters.”
Dear @FIFAcom,
Qatar robbed India’s spot for FIFA World Cup by cheating openly
It’s clearly visible that ball has crossed the line for a goal-kick, but the nasty Qataris pull it back to tuck in.
It’s not a legal Goal.
We want a Rematch with Cheaterspic.twitter.com/1z602owj5F
— Sunanda Roy 👑 (@SaffronSunanda) June 11, 2024
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Indian journalist Boria Majumdar slammed FIFA and the referee for the unfair decision against India. “There is something called FAIR PLAY! Don’t tell me the Qatar players did not know the ball was out. Gurpreet clearly knew and had stopped. They are cheats. These Qatari players are a disgrace. And the referee is a joke. Seriously is a joke. And FIFA World Cup, FIFA this is a shameful act. Igor Stimac will go. But does he deserve to? Did the team deserve this! Sheer nonsense.”
There is something called FAIR PLAY! Don’t tell me the Qatar players did not know the ball was out. Gurpreet clearly knew and had stopped. They are cheats. These Qatari players are a disgrace.
And the referee is a joke. Seriously is a joke. And @FIFAWorldCup @FIFAcom this is a… pic.twitter.com/7PTaKN3e8N
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) June 11, 2024
A fourth said, “FIFA is in pockets of Qatar & other teams from Middle East. I have not seen such blatant cheating at this level.”
FIFA is in pockets of Qatar & other teams from Middle East. I have not seen such blatant cheating at this level.pic.twitter.com/b3OkVVYlQG
— Incognito (@Incognito_qfs) June 12, 2024
