Talismanic India striker Sunil Chhetri believes his team is "strong" and "more prepared" than previous occasions to make it to the next round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers as the players have had good game time under their belts this year. The 39-year-old Chhetri will lead India into Round 2 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Joint Qualification campaign when they take on Kuwait in the opening away tie on Thursday. The stalwart said the fine performances against international sides at home had given the team a more settled look. "I think it is just the morale of the team, or what has happened in the last 6-8 months. A lot of boys have taken their places in the team. And that is why we are probably more prepared," Chhetri told AIFF on Monday.