India have announced a 26-member squad for upcoming FIFA friendlies against Panama, Brazil and Uruguay. Head coach Khalid Jamil has selected four goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders and six forwards for the September-October international window.
India men’s national football team head coach Khalid Jamil on Monday announced a 26-member squad for three high-profile international friendlies against Panama, Brazil and Uruguay during the September-October FIFA International Match Window.
The Blue Tigers will open their campaign against Panama at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on September 26. The Indian side will then travel to Kolkata for two major encounters, facing five-time FIFA World Cup champions Brazil on October 3 before taking on two-time world champions Uruguay on October 6.
The three-match schedule presents a major challenge for the Indian team, with all three opponents having featured at the FIFA World Cup earlier this year. The fixtures are expected to provide India with valuable experience against strong international opposition and offer Jamil an opportunity to assess his squad ahead of future competitions.
The Indian squad will assemble in Bengaluru on September 14 for a preparatory camp. The team will spend nearly two weeks preparing for the opening fixture against Panama before moving to Kolkata on September 28 following the Bengaluru match.
The remaining two matches will be played at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata, where India will face Brazil and Uruguay in a demanding four-day span.
Jamil’s 26-member squad comprises four goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders and six forwards. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is included alongside Albino Gomes, Prabhsukhan Singh Gill and Som Kumar in the goalkeeping department.
The defensive unit features Abhishek Singh Tekcham, Akash Mishra, Anwar Ali, Bijoy Varghese, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Jay Gupta, Pramveer and Ricky Meetei Haobam.
In midfield, Jamil has selected Anirudh Thapa, Ashique Kuruniyan, Farukh Choudhary, Lalengmawia Ralte, Macarton Nickson, Mohammed Sanan, Ricky Shabong and Sahal Abdul Samad.
The forward line includes Edmund Lalrindika, Irfan Yadwad, Manvir Singh, Rahim Ali, Ryan Williams and Vikram Partap Singh.
Jamil has also named four reserve players who can be called into the main squad if required. Goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari, defenders Chinglensana Singh Konsham and Roshan Singh Naorem, along with midfielder Suresh Singh Wangjam, have been placed on standby.
The schedule will see India play across two cities during the international window. Bengaluru will host the opening fixture against Panama, while Kolkata will stage the highly anticipated meetings with Brazil and Uruguay.
The match against Brazil on October 3 is likely to attract considerable attention given the five-time world champions’ stature in international football. Three days later, India will face Uruguay, another historically successful footballing nation and two-time FIFA World Cup winner.
| Also Read: Sabalenka defeats Camila Osorio to launch successful US Open defence |
For Jamil and the Blue Tigers, the three fixtures represent an important opportunity to compete against top-level opposition, evaluate players and gain valuable international exposure. The demanding schedule will also test India’s tactical organisation, squad depth and ability to handle pressure against higher-ranked teams.
India’s Schedule
- September 26: India vs Panama — Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru
- October 3: India vs Brazil — Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata
- October 6: India vs Uruguay — Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata
