AIFF removes head coach Igor Stimac: He was appointed head coach in 2019, won the SAFF Championship and Intercontinental Cup in 2023

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has removed Indian men’s football team head coach Igor Stimac from his post.

The AIFF has taken this decision after the disappointing performance in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers. Senior officials of the All India Football Federation held a virtual meeting on June 16. The meeting was chaired by AIFF Vice President N A Harris.

Acting Secretary General M. Satyanarayana, who attended the meeting, told the media that given the poor performance of the senior men’s national team in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification campaign, the AIFF members unanimously said that it is very important to have a new head coach to take the team forward. Satyanarayana said that Igor Stimac has been issued a notice of completion of his tenure by the AIFF Secretariat. We wish him all the best for his efforts for Indian football.

Coaches were made in 2019
Igor Stimac, who led Croatia to bronze in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, took over as the head coach of the Blue Tigers on 15 May 2019. Igor’s last stint as head coach was the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers. In the recent qualifiers, the Indian team was seen struggling against teams like Kuwait and Afghanistan.

Igor’s tenure was filled with controversies and consequences
Igor always faced criticism for his decisions, team selection and game management. He led India to three cup wins including the SAFF Championship and the Intercontinental Cup in 2023. But his game plan was always questioned.