The Indian football team head coach Igor Stimac has officially announced a 23 member squad for the team's upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier matches against Afghanistan to be held during the March FIFA International window.
The Indian football team is back in action next week as the Blue Tigers resume their FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia Qualifier matches. After registering a key win over Kuwait away from home, India suffered defeat against Qatar in their 2nd match. The Sunil Chhetri led side is back in action in the World Cup Qualifier against Afghanistan.
The Indian football team will play against Afghanistan back-to-back in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier and there will be crucial 6 points up from grab as the team coached by Croatian tactician Igor Stimac is looking to qualify into the 3rd round of the World Cup qualifier for the first time in their history.
Team India currently sits 3rd in the group with 3 points behind Qatar at the top with 6 points and Kuwait in 2nd with 3 points. Crucially, Team India has advantage over Kuwait, having beaten them away from home, the return led for which will be played in June.
The Blue Tigers will resume its FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia Qualifier on the 22nd of March when Afghanistan will host India in Saudi Arabia at 12:30 A.M Indian Standard Time (IST), followed India's home leg against the same opposition on the 26th of March at 7 P.M IST. Meanwhile, Kuwait will also play back-to-back match against Qatar as part of their qualifier campaign.
On the morning of the 15th of March, Indian football team social media pages have officially unveiled a list of 25-members squad picked by coach Igor Stimac for the matches against Afghanistan.
Goalkeeping unit is being led Gurpreet Singh Sandhu with Amrinder Singh and Vishal Kaith as the backup options. In defence, Odisha FC's Amey Ranawade and FC Goa's Jay Gupta have earned their maiden call-up. The defence also features the return of Anwar Ali after a lengthy injury spell.
In midfield, Jamshedpur FC's Imran Khan has been included among the likes of Sahal Abdul Samad, Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, and also features the return of Jeakson Singh at the heart of defensive midfield.
Mumbai City FC's Vikram Partap Singh has been rewarded for performance in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) season, where the 22-years-old has scored 7 goals and 2 assists in 18 appearances. Captain Sunil Chhetri will be leading the line for the Blue Tigers. The attack also features Manvir Singh and Lallianzuala Chhangte.
Indian Football Team Squad for Afghanistan Matches: FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier
Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Vishal Kaith
Defenders: Anwar Ali, Subhashish Bose, Akash Mishra, Rahul Bheke, Mehtab Singh, Nikhil Poojary, Amey Ranawade, Jay Gupta
Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Liston Colaco, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Suresh Singh, Sahal Abdul Samad, Jeakson Singh, Apuia, Deepak Tangri, Imran Khan
Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Vikram Partap Singh, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manvir Singh
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