Huge blow for Indian Football as Akash Mishra set to miss the FIFA qualifiers due to an injury

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Akash Mishra

The Indian football team faces a significant setback as defender Akash Mishra is ruled out of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers against Kuwait and Qatar. The Uttar Pradesh-born player, who has been a vital component for both Mumbai City and the Indian national team in recent seasons, has sustained an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury.

Akash Mishra’s injury

Mishra’s injury occurred during the first leg of the semi-finals against FC Goa on April 24. He was absent from the ISL final with Mumbai City. A source close to the situation disclosed that Mishra’s ACL injury requires surgery, which is likely to sideline him for the remainder of 2024.

In the 2023-24 ISL and AFC Champions League, Mishra made 26 appearances for Mumbai. He also represented India 15 times during the same period. His absence from the field will undoubtedly be felt by both his club and the national team.

Head coach Igor Stimac now faces the challenge of finding a suitable replacement for Mishra in the upcoming matches. Players such as Subhasish Bose and Jay Gupta may be considered as potential replacements. Meanwhile, Mumbai City is expected to explore the transfer market to temporarily fill the void left by Mishra for the 2024-25 season.

At 22 years old, Mishra is at the beginning of his career. An ACL injury is a significant hurdle for any athlete, and it will require considerable support from loved ones and family as he navigates this challenging phase of his career. However, many footballers have returned from ACL injuries stronger than before, and Mishra will undoubtedly be aiming to emulate them.

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