Top new faces to watch in Indian football team for SAFF Championship 2026

The Blue Tigers will play Pakistan on 5th November in the SAFF Championship 2026.

November will be an exciting month for the Indian football fans as apart from the Indian Super League and Indian Football League, the Indian national football team will also be in action.

The Blue Tigers will be split into two contingents – with one team playing two friendlies against New Zealand and the other set to play in the SAFF Championship 2026. 

While Khalid Jamil will lead the players to New Zealand, the Indian U-23 head coach Naushad Moosa is tasked to coach the Blue Tigers in the SAFF Championship as they look to defend their crown in Bangladesh. The tournament will be played between 5th and 17th November 2026.

Since India are fielding two squads, quite a few new faces have been called up to the national team that will be playing the SAFF Championship 2026. More than 10 new names have been called up and could get a chance of making their debut for the Blue Tigers.

Here are the top four new faces that could make their debut for the Blue Tigers in November: 

Special Mention: A new Goalkeepers’ Union

Naushad Moosa has called up Kerala Blasters’ Arsh Anwer Shaikh, NorthEast United’s Mohanraj K, Mohan Bagan’s Priyansh Dubey to the SAFF Championship.

All three goalkeepers have represented the Indian U-23 team before, and this would be their first senior cap. 

Mohanraj and Arsh Shaikh will likely battle it out for a position in the starting XI.

The Tamil Nadu-born Mohanraj performed well in recent India U-23 callups, whereas Arsh started two games for Kerala Blasters in ISL 2026-27

4. Abdul Rabeeh

The former FC Goa and Hyderabad FC player made a surprising move to NorthEast United over the summer.

For the Highlanders, Abdul Rabeeh has started all four ISL matches this season, making 37 defensive contributions and 21 recoveries. 

Rabeeh has experience playing for the Indian U-23 side and given his form, it is no surprise that Naushad Moosa has called the 25-year-old to the Indian senior team for the SAFF Championship 2026.  

3. Sandip Mandi 

The 24-year-old started his senior career with Jamshedpur FC, playing three seasons with the club before moving to Mohammedan SC and then Inter Kashi.

Sandip Mandi had a decent ISL 2025-26 season for the Yoddhas, owing to which, East Bengal signed him over the summer. 

Sandip Mandi is versatile and can play as the left-back or centreback, giving Naushad Moosa the flexibility to alter his tactics if and when needed in the game. 

Also Read: ISL clubs’ contribution to India’s SAFF Championship 2026 squad: A club-wise breakdown

2. Ronney Kharbudon

Another defender who is getting his first Indian senior team call-up would be FC Goa’s Ronney Kharbudon.

The 23-year-old right back started his career with Shillong Lajong before joining the Gaurs ahead of this season. 

Ronney Kharbudon has made 5 appearances for FC Goa across the AFC Challenge League and the ISL this season and seems to have won Goa’s head coach Gouramangi’s trust at club level. 

1. Vishnu PV

The 24-year-old started his footballing journey in Kerala and has been part of East Bengal since 2023.

He has scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists in 83 matches for the Red and Gold Brigade.

Primarily a left midfielder, Vishnu can play on either side of the pitch and he also brings in experience of playing for the Indian U-23 team previously.

India’s Complete Squad for SAFF Championship 2026 

Goalkeepers: Arsh Anwer Shaikh, Mohanraj K, Priyansh Dubey.

Defenders: Abdul Rabeeh, Bijoy Varghese, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Khaiminthang Lhungdim, Muhammed Uvais, Nathan Rodrigues, Ronney Kharbudon, Sandip Mandi.

Midfielders: Abhishek Suryavanshi, Adison Singh Thokchom, Brison Fernandes, Ebindas Yesudasan, Farukh Choudhary, Macarton Nickson, Manglenthang Kipgen, Nikhil Prabhu, Noufal PN, Ricky John Shabong, Suresh Singh Wangjam.

Forwards: Irfan Yadwad, Liston Colaco, Muhammad Suhail, Vishnu PV, Suhail Ahmad Bhat.

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