Indian Football Team head coach Igor Stimac has announced the first list of the 26-member probable squad for the 4-week camp in Odisha ahead of the final two FIFA World Cup Qualifier games. While the squad comprises of the usual players, the head coach has named a few I-League players in the squad after being called out for not considering them despite good performances. The second list of probables will be announced in a few days.
India’s training camp will begin on May 10 in Bhubaneshwar. The Blue Tigers’ final two Group A matches will be against Kuwait in Kolkata on June 6 and Qatar in Doha on June 11. India is presently second in the group, having earned four points from four matches. The top two teams in the group will advance to Round 3 of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and secure a spot in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.
I-league players get a call-up
Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, and Brandon Fernandes are in the 26-member roster, although defender Sandesh Jhingan will be away. Anwar Ali has missed out on the first list but might make the second.
Stimac has also named I-League players to the national team’s probable squad. Muhammad Hammad (Real Kashmir), Edmund Lalrindika (Inter Kashi), David Lalhlansanga (Mohammedan), and Lalrinzuala (Aizawl) are among the 26 members.
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Indian Football Team first list of 26 probables
- Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
- Defenders: Amey Ganesh Ranawade, Jay Gupta, Lalchungnunga, Muhammad Hammad, Narender, Nikhil Poojary, Roshan Singh Naorem.
- Midfielders: Brandon Fernandes, Edmund Lalrindika, Imran Khan, Isak Vanlalruatfela, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Mohammad Yasir, Nandhakumar Sekar, Rahul Kannoly Praveen, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Vibin Mohanan.
- Forwards: David Lalhlansanga, Jithin Madathil Subran, Lalrinzuala, Parthib Sundar Gogoi, Rahim Ali, Sunil Chhetri.
Can the Indian Football Team qualify for the next round?
Following a poor performance against Afghanistan in their previous two games, the Indian Football Team finds it in a precarious spot, with just two teams going to the third round after six matches. They began their campaign with a 1-0 victory against Kuwait, but a 3-0 defeat to Qatar in Bhubaneshwar did not help their cause, and the draw and loss to Afghanistan have only made India’s mission tougher.
Although India is now second in the group with four points from as many games, the Sunil Chhetri-led squad is just ahead of Afghanistan on goal difference. India will need to win both of their remaining games and cannot afford to lose another point if they want to advance to the next round.
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