Indian men’s football team head coach Khalid Jamil has announced a 26-player squad for the upcoming FIFA international window in September and October. The Blue Tigers will face three strong opponents: Panama, Brazil, and Uruguay, all of whom are World Cup participants.
The matches will take place on 26th September against Panama in Bengaluru, followed by games against Brazil on 3rd October and Uruguay on 6th October, both in Kolkata at Salt Lake Stadium. This series of friendlies offers India a valuable opportunity to test themselves against top-tier international teams.
Notable absentees from the squad include veteran defender Sandesh Jhingan and winger Lallianzuala Chhangte. Their exclusion is significant given their long service to the national team. In their place, Khalid Jamil has included young players like forward Ryan Williams, who recently committed his international future to India, alongside experienced attackers such as Manvir Singh and Rahim Ali.
The squad features a mix of established stars and fresh faces. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu remains the senior goalkeeper, while midfielders like Anirudh Thapa and Ashique Kuruniyan provide experience. Defenders including Akash Mishra and Jay Gupta bring a blend of youth and strength to the backline.
Reserve players Hrithik Tiwari, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Roshan Singh Naorem, and Suresh Singh Wangjam have been named as substitutes. The team will begin their preparations in Bengaluru on 14th September before moving to Kolkata for the final two matches.
These fixtures provide Khalid Jamil with a chance to evaluate his squad against stronger opposition ahead of future challenges.