In a crucial update, the head coach of the Indian senior men's football team, Igor Stimac, unveiled a list of 35 probables for the impending clashes against Afghanistan in the Round 2 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Preliminary Joint Qualification. The announcement was made on Thursday, March 7, 2024.
The Blue Tigers are set to engage in two significant encounters, with the first being an away match against Afghanistan scheduled for March 21, 2024, in Abha, Saudi Arabia. Subsequently, India will host Afghanistan in Guwahati for the second encounter on March 26, 2024.
The list of probables includes a mix of experienced players and promising talents across various positions:
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.
This selection underlines the strategic blend of experienced campaigners like Sunil Chhetri and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, along with the infusion of young talents, as India aims for success in the qualifying matches.
