Indian Football Team Prepares for AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers with New Squad Announcement
Indian Football Team Gears Up for AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers
On May 7, 2025, in New Delhi, head coach Manolo Marquez revealed the 28-player probable squad for the Indian football team, set to convene in Kolkata on May 18 for training ahead of the FIFA International window in June.
The team is gearing up for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Final Round qualifiers, where they find themselves in Group C alongside Bangladesh, Hong Kong China, and Singapore. The qualifiers will follow a home-and-away round-robin format, as stated by the AIFF's official website.
The Blue Tigers' upcoming challenge is against Hong Kong, China, scheduled for June 10 at the Kai Tak Sports Park in Kowloon City. The initial matches in Group C, featuring India versus Bangladesh in Shillong and Singapore against Hong Kong, ended in draws, leaving all four teams with one point each.
To prepare for the Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong, the Blue Tigers will conduct a 10-day training camp in Kolkata before heading to Bangkok for a FIFA International Friendly against Thailand on June 4. Following this, they will travel to Hong Kong for their qualifier.
Here is the list of the 28 probables for the Kolkata training camp:
Goalkeepers: Hrithik Tiwari, Vishal Kaith, Gurmeet Singh Chahal, Amrinder Singh.
Defenders: Naorem Roshan Singh, Rahul Bheke, Konsham Chinglensana Singh, Anwar Ali, Thangjam Boris Singh, Sandesh Jhingan, Asish Rai, Subhasish Bose, Mehtab Singh, Tekcham Abhishek Singh, Nikhil Prabhu.
Midfielders: Suresh Singh Wangjam, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Udanta Singh Kumam, Lalengmawia Ralte, Liston Colaco, Ashique Kuruniyan, Brandon Fernandes.
Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Irfan Yadwad, Manvir Singh, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, Lallianzuala Chhangte.
Head Coach: Manolo Marquez.