Which players have been omitted from India's final squad for World Cup Qualifiers

The 25-member Indian squad misses some key names.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has officially announced the selection of the 25-member Indian squad for the upcoming second round 2026 World Cup Qualifiers matches against Afghanistan. These matches are scheduled to take place on the 22nd and 26th of March. 

Before the final selection, a probable list of 35 players was released. Unfortunately, ten players from the probable list did not make it to the final squad.

India’s Probable Squad for 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against Afghanistan

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. 

Final list of players who will feature in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against Afghanistan

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

Players who have missed the final berth

Phurba Tempa Lachenpa, Lalchungnunga, Pritam Kotal, Narender, Roshan Singh Naorem, Lalthathanga Khawlhring, Ishan Pandita, Rahul Kannoly Praveen, Nandhakumar Sekar, Isak Vanlalruatfela

India’s position in the Group stage of Round 2 of 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

India has been placed in Group A of the Second Round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers alongside Qatar, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. Qatar is currently leading the group with six points from two matches, while Kuwait holds the second position with three points from two matches. India is placed third, also with three points from two matches. 

In their first match, India emerged victorious against Kuwait with a score of 1-0 but faced a 3-0 defeat against Qatar in the subsequent match.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.