Indian men’s football team head coach Igor Stimac on March 7 announced a list of 35 probable players for the upcoming matches against Afghanistan in round 2 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Preliminary Joint Qualification.
The Blue Tigers are scheduled to play their first match away against Afghanistan on March 21 in Abha, Saudi Arabia, followed by a home match in Guwahati on March 26. Afghanistan's home matches are being hosted outside their country due to ongoing conflicts.
Injured players Anwar Ali and Jeakson Singh included in list
Central defender Anwar Ali and defensive midfielder Jeakson Singh, who were sidelined from India's Asian Cup squad due to injuries, have been included among the 35 potential players.
Last year, Ali, a player for Mohun Bagan Super Giants, was sidelined for a significant period due to an ankle injury, causing him to miss the Asian Cup in January. He also suffered a minor injury during an ISL match early last month.
Jeakson underwent left shoulder surgery in November last year.
Both players have since returned to action for their respective Indian Super League teams.
Key winger Ashique Kuruniyan has yet to fully recover from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained in September last year, and, therefore, was not included among the potential players.
India's historic bid for FIFA World Cup qualifiers round 3
India are aiming to reach the third round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the first time in its history.
Stimac vowed to guide the team to its inaugural appearance in the third round of FIFA World Cup qualification following India's disappointment in the Asian Cup.
In the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification, India are placed in Group A alongside Qatar, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. The top two teams from the group will advance to the third round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The Blue Tigers have never progressed to the third round of AFC's FIFA World Cup qualifiers, but their victory over Kuwait with a score of 1-0 in Kuwait City last November has put them in contention.
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The Probables:
Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Phurba Tempa Lachenpa, Vishal Kaith.
Defenders: Akash Mishra, Lalchungnunga, Mehtab Singh, Pritam Kotal, Rahul Bheke, Nikhil Chandrashekhar Poojary, Subhasish Bose, Narender, Anwar Ali, Roshan Singh Naorem, Amey Ganesh Ranawade, Jay Gupta.
Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Liston Colaco, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Sahal Abdul Samad, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Deepak Tangri, Lalthathanga Khawlhring, Lalengmawia Ralte, Imran Khan.
Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Ishan Pandita, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manvir Singh, Vikram Partap Singh, Rahul Kannoly Praveen, Nandhakumar Sekar, Isak Vanlalruatfela.
(Powered by AI, Inputs by PTI)
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