Know your PIO/OCI Footballer: Manprit Sarkaria

Manprit Sarkaria’s parents were Indian citizens, born in Amritsar, Punjab, but they moved abroad

The Indian national football team has slipped down the FIFA Rankings after breaking into the top 100 in 2023. The Blue Tigers are currently 133rd in the world and are struggling to even make it to the AFC Asian Cup 2027, which will be played in Saudi Arabia.

In a recent press conference, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey claimed that the footballing body was trying to get approval to allow Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) footballers to represent the Indian national team.

This issue has been going on for multiple years, as Indian law does not allow players of dual citizenship to play for the Blue Tigers. Other countries have allowed such players to play in their respective national teams. Hence, this could help India temporarily.

Manprit Sarkaria is one such player who has been on the lips of the Indian football fraternity. The forward has a good profile and would be a good fit in the Indian national team. However, the question is if he is eligible to be a part of the squad.

Who is Manprit Sarkaria, and where does he play?

Born on 26th August 1996 in Vienna, Austria, Manprit was brought up in the European nation. His parents were Indian citizens, born in Amritsar, Punjab, but they moved abroad to build a new life for their family.

The player’s father, Harjinder didn’t want to move to Canada or the United States. Rather he had heard about the beauty of Austria and hence moved with his family to the European nation. The footballer was brought up in Reinstarch, a suburb of Vienna.

Manprit Sarkaria started his career as a forward/winger with Austria Vienna in 2017 and played for the club until 2021 before moving to Sturm Graz. With his second club, the left winger enjoyed his best seasons between 2021 and 2023 as he scored 32 goals and provided 15 assists in 82 games.

The Austria-born player moved to Chinese Super League club Shenzhen Peng City in January 2025 and this was his first foray outside Europe. With the Chinese club, Sarkaria has scored 2 goals in 13 appearances.

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In terms of honours, the 28-year-old won two Austrian Cups and one Austrian Bundesliga with Sturm Graz. He was also part of the 2021-22 Austrian Bundesliga Team of the Season.

Has Manprit played for the Austrian national team?

On 13th October 2023, Manprit Sarkaria made his debut for the Austrian national team against Belgium in a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier match. The forward started and played for 66 minutes before being subbed out as his side lost 2-3.

This was Manprit’s one and only appearance for the Austrian national team, that he made under Ralf Rangnick. He was on the bench for a further four games before eventually being removed from the national team’s squad.

Can Manprit Sarkaria play for the Indian football team?

FIFA’s rules state that an individual can change nationality if they haven’t played more than three competitive matches for their previous national team before the age of 21, and none of those appearances were in an official FIFA or continental tournament.

Manprit Sarkaria’s sole appearance for Austria came after the age of 21, and hence, it would not be easy for him to play for the Indian national football team.

As per these rules, it seems that Manprit Sarkaria may not be ineligible to play for the Indian football team. However, depending on when and how India decide to implement the PIO/OCI rule in the future, there is still a slight chance as India could write to FIFA regarding the same and could get an approval from there as each and every case is judged differently by the football governing body.

Manprit Sarkaria: Profile

• Name: Manprit Sarkaria
• Place of birth: Wien, Austria
• Current Citizenship: Austria
• Height: 1,80 m
• Main Position: Centre-Forward
• Other positions: Attacking Midfield, Right Midfield
• Foot: Left
• Current club: Shenzhen Peng City (Chinese Super League)
• Joined: Jan 20, 2025
• Contract expires: Dec 31, 2026

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