Clubs’ contribution to India U-20 squad for Singapore friendly revealed: A club-wise breakdown

India U-20 will play two closed-door friendlies against Singapore on August 3rd and 6th

The Indian U-20 National Team have gathered for a camp in Bengaluru as they intensify their preparations for the crucial 2027 AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers, scheduled to take place in Uzbekistan from 31 August to 6 September, will test their preparations against Singapore in back-to-back closed-door friendlies in Bengaluru on 3rd and 6th August.

With less than a month to go before the qualifiers, head coach Mahesh Gawali has the task of finalizing the group of players who will represent the Indian tricolor in Uzbekistan.

For the Singapore friendlies, Gawali has announced a 30-member squad, giving the players an opportunity to impress and secure their place in the final squad for the qualifiers.

Among the 30 players, there were a few surprises. Three players based outside India have been called up to the squad.

Let’s take a look at the break down of the club-wise contribution of football clubs to the 30-member squad announced by the Indian head coach.

Punjab FC – 8 players

As always, Punjab FC continue to dominate when it comes to representation in Indian youth teams. Eight Punjab FC players have been called up to the Indian U-20 NT squad for the Singapore friendlies, putting them on level with Bengaluru FC, who also have eight representatives.

These players come off the back of a highly successful exposure tour of Japan, facilitated by the RFDL, where they remained unbeaten across three games, scoring nine goals while conceding just twice.

Omang Dodum and Vishal Yadav will be a key duo for India in attack, with the pair having combined brilliantly during India’s run to the final of the 2026 SAFF U-20 Championship.

S.No	Player	Position
1	Jaskaran Dub	Goalkeeper
2	Arshvir Singh	Defender
3	Karish Soram	Defender
4	Aniket Yadav	Midfielder
5	Rishikanta Meitei Laishram	Midfielder
6	Shami Singamayum	Midfielder
7	Vishal Yadav	Forward
8	Omang Dodum	Forward

Bengaluru FC – 8 players

The only ISL club alongside Punjab FC to have a five-star accredited academy, Bengaluru FC have eight players called up to the Indian U-20 NT after winning the 2026 RFDL and winning all the games in the Japan exposure tour. (Jamshedpur FC, who have unfortunately shut down their first-team operations, are the only other ISL club with a five-star accredited academy)

Seven of the eight players were a crucial part of the 2026 SAFF U-20 Championship squad, while right-back Ashik Adhikari has earned his maiden call-up to the side.

Arbash has been the creative force of the team in recent matches and is expected to continue being the one. Suraj, Bungson and Yaipharemba are all expected to start and play a crucial role in the back five (goalkeeper + four defenders).

S.No	Player	Position
1	Suraj Singh Aheibam	Goalkeeper
2	Ashik Adhikari	Defender
3	Bungson Singh	Defender
4	Yaipharemba Chingakham	Defender
5	Md Arbash	Midfielder
6	Rishi Singh Ningthoukhongjam	Midfielder
7	Samson Ahongshangbam	Midfielder
8	Rohen Singh Chaphamayum	Forward

Kerala Blasters FC – 3 players

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the future of the club and the departure of several important players, the quality within the Kerala Blasters youth setup cannot be discounted, with three of their players earning call-ups for the Singapore friendlies.

Sumit Sharma, who has experience playing for the India U-23 side, returns to the U-20 setup, while Malemngamba and Pranav continue to retain their places in the team after being part of the 2026 SAFF U-20 Championship squad.

S.No	Player	Position
1	Pranav Sundarraman	Goalkeeper
2	Malemngamba Singh Thokchom	Defender
3	Sumit Sharma Brahmacharimayum	Defender

NorthEast United FC – 3 players

While Danny Meetei has retained his place in the Indian U-20 NT setup, Mahesh Gawali has fast-tracked two players into the U-20 side after their impressive performances for the U-17s in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualifiers and the main tournament.

Gunleiba, an excellent winger with impressive abilities to take on defenders, and Gangte, a creative midfielder who captained the India U-17 side, are the two players to have earned promotion.

Striker Tanbir Dey, meanwhile, has been dropped from the squad after featuring in the SAFF U-20 Championship.

S.No	Player	Position
1	Dallalmuon Gangte	Midfielder
2	Danny Meitei Laishram	Midfielder
3	Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam	Forward

Sreenidi Deccan FC – 2 players

Sreenidi Deccan FC are the only Indian Football League (IFL) club to have players called up to the Indian U-20 side.

Midfielder Levis Zangminlun, who has been in and around the national team setup since the U-16 level, has been called up alongside goalkeeper Shuhaid Koya, who caught the attention of Mahesh Gawli with his recent performances in the RFDL.

S.No	Player	Position
1	Shuhaid Koya Thangal PS	Goalkeeper
2	Levis Zangminlun	Midfielder

FC Goa – 1 player

While FC Goa were also one of the three clubs to be part of the RFDL Japan exposure tour, they have just one player called up to the Indian U-20 National Team.

The 18-year-old defender Asher Rebello has earned his first call-up to the national team and will be looking to pave the way for more of his teammates with his performances.

S.No	Player	Position
1	Asher Rebello	Defender

CD Atletico Marbella – 1 player

Agastya Bhat has earned his debut call-up to the Indian U-20 side after spending the last few years developing at Spain’s Atletico Marbella, having joined the club in 2022.

The 18-year-old forward has the potential to do great things for the Indian U-20 side, having gained valuable experience developing in Spain and testing himself against different players, unlike many of his Indian counterparts.

S.No	Player	Position
1	Agastya Bhat	Forward

Shabab Al Ahli – 1 player

Hateem Ali, who was reportedly at the center of a tussle between the UAE and India to represent their respective national teams, looks to have made the decision to represent India and has already joined the camp in Bengaluru.

According to certain data, Hateem finished as the UAE FA League’s top scorer in the U15, U16 and U17 categories across three consecutive seasons.

Across all age-group competitions, including the U-23 UAE Pro League, he has reportedly registered 80+ goals and 40+ assists. Can he prove to be the difference for India up front and potentially emerge as a long-term solution to India’s goalscoring woes? Only time will tell.

S.No	Player	Position
1	Hateem Ali	Forward

South United FC – 1 player

South United FC, who play in the I-League 2nd Division, have a surprise call-up to the Indian U-20 side, with forward Nirupam Gowda earning a place in the squad for the friendlies against Singapore. He has impressed with his performances in the recent AIFF Elite Youth League and the RFDL campaign.

S.No	Player	Position
1	Nirupam Gowda H	Forward

Sudeva Delhi FC – 1 player

Prashan Jajo, the impressive winger who scored three goals in India’s triumph at the 2025 SAFF U-19 Championship, continues to retain his place in the national team setup, making him the only representative from Sudeva Delhi FC.

S.No	Player	Position
1	Prashan Jajo	Forward

NK Bravo – 1 player

Yohaan Benjamin, who generated plenty of excitement among Indian football fans with his move to Slovenian side NK Bravo ahead of the 2025 season, has been called up to the Indian U-20 side after making history by becoming the first Indian to feature in the UEFA Youth League.

Yohaan was previously part of the U-19 side and now returns to the national team setup after spending a year in Slovenia. It will be exciting for Indian football fans to see how much he has developed during his time there and whether he can deliver for the young Blue Colts on the international stage.

S.No	Player	Position
1	Yohaan Benjamin	Forward

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