No Mohun Bagan players in India U23 final 23-member squad; Kipgen & Sanatomba Singh release

India U23 head coach Naushad Moosa forced to go without Mohun Bagan players

Following their preparatory friendlies against Iraq in Malaysia, the India U23 football team are now travelling to Qatar for the much-anticipated AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers, which begin on September 3.

The Blue Colts showed flashes of promise against Iraq but struggled to hold their lead on in both matches, highlighting the lack of depth in the squad, especially with no Mohun Bagan players available.

🇮🇳 #IndiaFootball U-23 went toe-to-toe with Iraq in both friendlies, even leading both games but lack of depth on the bench (no Mohun Bagan players) showed in the end. As things stand, no MB players in the final 23-man squad. Manglenthang Kipgen & Sanatomba Singh to be…

— Ashish Negi (@7negiashish) August 28, 2025

Also Read: Three trialists make it to 24-member India U23 Squad for Iraq friendlies in Malaysia

Naushad Moosa to proceed without Mohun Bagan players

Head coach Naushad Moosa has been forced to proceed without some of his most promising options. Key players who can all make it to the playing XI, including Suhail Bhat, Dippendu Biswas, Priyansh Dubey, and Tekcham Abhishek Singh, will all miss the qualifiers after Mohun Bagan refused to release them for national duty.

“India U-23 played well against Iraq, but couldn’t hold the lead in either game; the lack of depth showed, with no Mohun Bagan players available.

The staff couldn’t wait any longer and moved ahead with the group on hand. Dipesh Chauhan added in the final 23-man squad, while Manglethang Kipgen and Sanatomba Singh have been released,” a source close to the development told Khel Now.

The Mariners’ stance has weakened India’s U23 squad, as several of their top prospects belong to the club. Their absence has reduced both quality and experience, forcing Moosa to rely on replacements and make last-minute adjustments.

To maintain training intensity despite the setback, Moosa brought in 15 trialists to the camp. Among them, Sahil Harijan, Soham Varshneya, and Harsh Palande impressed the staff and secured places in the final 23-man squad. From the camp, Kipgen and Sanatomba Singh were released, while NorthEast United goalkeeper Dipesh Chauhan joined the squad.

India U23 face uphill task in the qualifiers

India have been placed in Group H alongside hosts Qatar, Bahrain, and Brunei. Qatar enter as favourites on home soil, while Bahrain are known for their disciplined style. Brunei present India with their best chance of securing a win.

With only group winners and the four best second-placed teams advancing to the AFC U23 Asian Cup, India have little margin for error. Results against Bahrain or Qatar will be crucial if they want to remain in contention.

India’s preparation featured two friendlies against Iraq U23. In the first game, India fell 2-1, struggling to defend their one-goal lead before conceding two goals. The second match again India led the match majority time before conceding three goals, ending 3-1 in Iraq’s favour, with India showing improvement but still falling short in decisive moments.

Earlier in June, the U23 side lost 2-3 to Tajikistan and held the Kyrgyz Republic to a goalless draw. These outings underline both their potential and inconsistency, with defensive lapses and lack of sharpness in front of goal proving costly.

For the Blue Colts, the qualifiers are not just about chasing results but also about proving themselves on the continental stage. Among their opponents, Qatar U23 are tournament regulars, Bahrain have only qualified once in history, and Brunei are still seeking their first appearance. India too are still in search of their first-ever qualification, making this campaign a crucial test for the squad.

Indian U23 final squad for AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers

Goalkeepers: Mohd Arbaz (Kerala Blasters), Sahil (Bengaluru FC), Dipesh Chauhan (Northeast United)

Defenders: Bikash Yumnam (Kerala Blasters), Haobam Ricky Meetei (Bengaluru FC), Muhammed Saheef AP (Kerala Blasters), Pramveer (Punjab FC), Subham Bhattacharya (Odisha FC), Harsh Arun Palande (Bengaluru FC)

Midfielders: Ayush Chhetri (FC Goa), Chingangbam Shivaldo Singh (Bengaluru FC), Lalremtluanga Fanai (Bengaluru FC), Lalrinliana Hnamte (Chennaiyin FC), Macarton Louis Nickson (NorthEast United), Mohammed Aimen (Kerala Blasters), Vibin Mohanan (Kerala Blasters), Vinith Venkatesh (Bengaluru FC), Soham Naveen Varshneya (Bengaluru FC)

Forwards: Mohammed Sanan K (Jamshedpur FC), Parthib Sundar Gogoi (NorthEast United), Md. Suhail (Punjab FC), Sahil Harijan (United SC Kolkata), M.S.Sreekuttan (Kerala Blasters)

India’s schedule for the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers

• 3 September 2025 – Bahrain vs India | Doha, Qatar
• 6 September 2025 – India vs Qatar | Doha, Qatar
• 9 September 2025 – India vs Brunei | Doha, Qatar

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