Five Indian players to watch out in SAFF Championship 2026
Naushad Moosa will lead India in the SAFF Championship 2026.
The Indian national team have released the list of 28 players selected to represent the Indian tricolour at the SAFF Championship 2026. This comes after numerous reports earlier suggested that the Blue Tigers’ participation in the tournament was uncertain.
Why were there doubts about defending champions India’s participation, despite the team being a consistent presence in the tournament? India have already been scheduled to play two international friendlies against World Cup participants New Zealand during the upcoming November international window.
As a result, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has decided to send its first-string team for the New Zealand friendlies, with Khalid Jamil leading the squad.
Meanwhile, a second-string team comprising several U-23 players will participate in the 2026 SAFF Championship, with Naushad Moosa as head coach and Bibiano Fernandes as his assistant.
On Friday, October 30, Naushad Moosa announced his 28-member squad, comprising several exciting talents and a few familiar faces from the senior national team.
Some players who had previously been regulars but were pushed out of the setup following poor performances have also earned a return for this tournament.
Let’s take a look at the five players to watch out for in the upcoming tournament.
Khaiminthang Lhungdim – Punjab FC
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One of the most deserved and long-awaited call-ups is that of Lhungdim from Punjab FC. Many who closely follow Indian football will feel that this call-up should have come much earlier.
Lhungdim’s call-up is a perfect example of how consistently performing at the league level can eventually earn a player a national team opportunity.
He has arguably been one of the most consistent right-backs in the league, delivering solid 7/10 performances almost every game.
Lhungdim is a dependable defensive option, known for his tackling, ground defending and ability to recover possession on the right flank before quickly turning it into an attack.
He also possesses decent abilities in the final third, making him a useful option for Naushad Moosa’s style of play.
Abdul Rabeeh – NorthEast United FC
Rabeeh, who would have been closely watched by Naushad Moosa at club level following his move to NorthEast United FC, has earned his first call-up to the senior national team setup after consistently delivering good performances this season.
A right winger known for his technical flair and dribbling ability, Rabeeh has been deployed as a left-back/left wing-back this season under Juan Pedro Benali at club level. To his credit, he has performed exceptionally well in the role.
Naushad Moosa is known for bringing the best out of wingers, with Sanan and Suhail reaching greater heights under him at the U-23 level. It remains to be seen whether Rabeeh will be deployed on either wing or in the left-back role ahead of Uvais.
Also Read: Top new faces to watch in Indian football team for SAFF Championship 2026
Vishnu PV – East Bengal FC
Vishnu PV had a breakout season during the 2024-25 ISL season, scoring four goals and providing three assists in 22 appearances.
His career progression was halted slightly last season when Oscar Bruzon converted him into a left wing-back. Despite that, he registered four goal contributions in the shortened season and demonstrated his versatility by proving himself in different positions.
This season, in seven games, he has registered seven goal contributions, including a hattrick in the 2026 Durand Cup. Vishnu possesses elite ball-carrying abilities on the flanks, while also having the pace to exploit spaces during quick transitions.
As a winger, he is not someone who is limited to either scoring or assisting; rather, he is capable of doing both in the final third. He has good composure in front of goal, scoring crucial goals while setting up his teammates and finding them in the right spaces at the right time.
Muhammad Suhail – Punjab FC
Muhammad Suhail has already shown Indian football fans what he can bring to the national team under Naushad Moosa during his U-23 days. He will now be up against senior players from other SAFF nations in this tournament.
Suhail registered a goal or an assist in every game of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers under Naushad Moosa. He was also close to earning a senior national team call-up earlier but was denied the opportunity due to an unfortunate injury.
There is little need to introduce what Suhail brings to the field. Regardless of which flank he plays on, he is capable of taking on opposition defenders with ease, using his movement to get past players in tight spaces and delivering dangerous crosses across the face of the goal. He can also cut inside and attempt to score, operating as an inverted winger.
If Suhail starts on the right wing and Lhungdim is deployed at right-back, there could be some exciting combination play between the two players on the right flank for the Blue Tigers.
Suhail Bhat – Mohun Bagan SG
There could not be a better opportunity for the Indian national team to test one of the country’s most promising young strikers in a senior setup, especially after his repeated impressive performances and goals for the U-23 side.
Naushad Moosa is expected to trust him ahead of the likes of Irfan Yadwad and Liston Colaco, with the Mohun Bagan striker having scored five goals in seven official games for his U-23 side.
As always, his international career seems to work differently from his club career, as he regularly features for the national youth team setup while making only occasional appearances for his club, the opposite of what happens with several other players.
As far as he is concerned, he will be determined to make the most of his positional awareness, movement inside the box and link-up play to score goals and prove why he is ready for the senior national team setup.
Who will be the head coach of the Indian NT in the 2026 SAFF Championship?
India U-23 head coach Naushad Moosa will lead the Blue Tigers in the 2026 SAFF Championship.
Who won the last edition of the SAFF Championship?
The last time the SAFF Championship was held in 2023, hosts India emerged as the champions.
Who will be the assistant coach of the Indian NT in the 2026 SAFF Championship?
India U-15 head coach Bibiano Fernandes will assist Naushad Moosa in leading the Blue Tigers in the 2026 SAFF Championship.
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