Igor Stimac, head coach of Indian football, has had his contract extended to 2026

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced on Thursday that Igor Stimac’s contract as head coach of the senior national team has been extended until 2026 as a reward for his leadership of three championship victories this year.

In accordance with the terms of the agreement, the Croat will automatically get a two-year extension if India advances to the FIFA World Cup qualifying third round.

Mahesh Gawli, a former goalkeeper for India, was named head coach of the men’s U-23 squad in addition to serving as assistant coach for the senior men’s team.

Stimac, a member of the third-place Croatian team at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, took over as coach of the Blue Tigers in 2019. He has a record of four major championships, including two SAFF Championships, with the team.

“The members of the federation have agreed to extend Igor Stimac’s contract with our national team until the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. During a virtual conversation, AIFF secretary general Shaji Prabhakaran remarked, “We have agreed to this and resolved to remain as one team.

When the news was delivered by the top AIFF official, Stimac was sitting next to Prabhakaran and Gawli.

Most recently, Stimac led the Indian men’s team in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, to the round of 16. The squad has made advancement in the continental championship for the first time in 13 years.

“We want to make sure that the national team is stable. The performance on the field, especially in the Kings Cup match against Iraq, was outstanding. These last few months have seen us win back-to-back competitions.

“From here, we can only advance and become better. The procedure cannot be stopped in the middle, according to Prabhakaran.

Last week, Stimac received a new opportunity from the AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey to continue leading the senior squad for a another two years.

“I feel like I belong in this family. I have a lot of faith in my team. I’m grateful that the AIFF believed in us. The last three to four days have been quite hectic, but we are aware of the stakes and the need of moving on.

Stimac said, “It’s important to have great people around me and stable staff.”

The I-League is scheduled to begin on October 28 and the schedule will be made public shortly, according to the AIFF.