Singapore name 26-man squad for AFC Asian Cup qualifiers against India

Ten years in the sports industry, Rahul turns experience into perspective on the beautiful game.

Published at :September 30, 2025 at 12:57 PM

Modified at :September 30, 2025 at 12:57 PM

Singapore names 26-man squad for AFC Asian Cup qualifiers against India

India will lock horns with Singapore in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.

Singapore interim head coach Gavin Lee has announced a 26-man squad for the crucial AFC Asian Cup qualifying double-header against the Indian Football Team in October. The Lions will host the Blue Tigers at the National Stadium on 9 October, before heading to Goa for the return leg on 14 October.

Singapore currently sits top of Group C with four points after beating Bangladesh 2–1 and drawing 1–1 with Hong Kong. India is two points behind after opening their campaign with back-to-back draws.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by FAS (@fasingapore)

The September friendlies offered mixed results for the Lions – a 1–1 draw with Myanmar followed by a 2–1 defeat to Malaysia – but Head Coach Gavin Lee believes the games provided valuable preparation.

“We tried a few things that are relevant to our India approach. A lot of video work has been done, and we’ll continue to prepare ourselves for the next challenge,” the 34-year-old interim head coach Gavin Lee told the Football Association of Singapore.

Lee, who previously coached BG Tampines Rovers and has served as an assistant with the national team, stepped into the interim role last month as the FAS continues its search for a permanent head coach.

Big names return

FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS 2026 SINGAPORE VS GUAM MATCH REPORT — Courtesy: Getty Images

Captain Hariss Harun leads the squad once again, with veteran defender Safuwan Baharudin and star striker Ikhsan Fandi among the key inclusions. Ikhsan, who plays for Ratchaburi FC in Thailand, is Singapore’s leading goalscorer in the current squad with 21 goals from 42 caps.

His younger brother Ilhan Fandi, now at Thai champions Buriram United, also features after impressing in recent international windows. Winger Shawal Anuar and naturalised midfielder Song Uiyoung add further experience in attack and midfield, respectively.

Singapore sits in a promising position at the halfway stage of qualifying, but Lee knows the India games will go a long way in deciding their chances of reaching the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

“We believe the squad understands what qualification means for Singapore football. Now it’s about preparing well and delivering,” interim head coach Gavin Lee told the Football Association of Singapore.

Full squad

Goalkeepers: Izwan Mahbud, Rudy Khairullah, Syazwan Buhari
Defenders: Amirul Adli, Irfan Najeeb, Safuwan Baharudin, Raoul Suhaimi, Ryhan Stewart, Lionel Tan
Midfielders: Joel Chew, Farhan Zulkifli, Jared Gallagher, Hami Syahin, Hariss Harun (c), Glenn Kweh, Jacob Mahler, Kyoga Nakamura, Ong Yu En, Shah Shahiran, Song Uiyoung, Harhys Stewart, Jonan Tan
Forwards: Jordan Emaviwe, Ikhsan Fandi, Ilhan Fandi, Shawal Anuar

When will India face Singapore in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers?

The Blue Tigers will clash against Singapore in back-to-back AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers on October 9 and 14.

Will Sandesh Jhingan be available for India in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers?

Yes, Sandesh Jhingan will be available for the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.

Where will India play the home fixture against Singapore?

India will host the AFC Asian Cup qualifying fixture against Singapore in Goa.

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.

Rahul Sengupta

Rahul Sengupta is a seasoned sports industry professional with over a decade of experience working with top organizations such as FIFA, ISL, and IPL. Currently reporting on football for Goal.com and Khel Now, he combines industry expertise with a journalist’s eye to deliver sharp, insightful coverage of the game.