World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Igor Stimac picks 25-man squad

India’s head coach Igor Stimac has named a 25-man squad for Round 2 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Preliminary Joint Qualification on Friday. The gaffer had picked a 35-man squad earlier and has now churned it down to 25 members.

The national team will play two matches of the qualifiers against Afghanistan while playing at home and away. The away match will be played on March 22 at 12:30 IST, whereas the home game is scheduled on March 26 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati.

Meanwhile, the Blue Tigers started their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Kuwait in Kuwait City. But Stimac’s men suffered a 3-0 loss against Qatar. Afghanistan, on the other hand, is yet to get off the mark in the points column and has conceded 12 goals.

After impressing in the Indian Super League, Vikram Partap Singh, Jay Gupta, and Imran Khan have made it to the final squad, whereas Lalthathanga Khawlhring (Puitea) has been left out.

India recently participated in the AFC Asian Cup but suffered losses against Australia, Uzbekistan, and Syria. Thus, the Sunil Chhetri-led will aim to come up with a collective effort.

The 25-member squad is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Vishal Kaith.

Defenders: Akash Mishra, Mehtab Singh, Rahul Bheke, Nikhil Poojary, Subhasish Bose, Anwar Ali, Amey Ranawade, Jay Gupta.

Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Liston Colaco, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Sahal Abdul Samad, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Deepak Tangri, Lalengmawia Ralte, Imran Khan.

Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manvir Singh, Vikram Partap Singh.