Five players not called up to Indian football team squad for June international window

A list featuring Indian football team players who will be missing out on games against Thailand and Hong Kong.

The Indian football team are poised to begin preparations for their next set of matches in June during the FIFA international window. They will be playing a friendly game against Thailand ahead of their next 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong, as they aim to get their first win in the qualification campaign.

Just a month before that pivotal clash, Manolo Marquez named his provisional 28-man squad for the upcoming clashes. He has opted to call-up some new names into the squad after seeing them impress in the final stages of the 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) campaign and the Kalinga Super Cup as well.

However, some surprising names have been omitted from the squad that featured in India’s last two matches in the March international window. Here we look at the five players not called up to the latest India squad:

5. Jeakson Singh

Jeakson Singh had a pretty frustrating 2024-25 season with East Bengal, who ended up finishing in ninth place in the 2024-25 ISL league phase and getting knocked out of the Kalinga Super Cup Round of 16.

The 23-year-old only made 18 appearances for the Torchbearers in the ISL campaign, scoring a few goals but failing to really dominate the midfield battle for them. Jeakson struggled in a number of games last season, struggling to protect his backline and being outwitted by opposition players. He was picked in the Indian football team squad for the previous two games by Marquez, but failed to win over the gaffer’s confidence.

Singh’s disappointing end to the 2024-25 ISL campaign and poor showing in the loss to Kerala Blasters in the Super Cup ended up being his downfall. He could warrant enough reason for him to be included in the Indian football team squad and now faces an uphill task to regain his spot.

4. Hmingthanmawia Ralte

The energetic Mumbai City full-back received his breakthrough to the Indian football team for the previous two national camps, even getting his full debut in the 3-0 win over the Maldives in March. Ralte featured in all 24 matches in the ISL league phase last season, and also played in the ISL playoffs as well as the Kalinga Super Cup for this side.

However, his shaky performance in the 5-0 loss to Bengaluru FC in the first leg of the quarterfinal and underwhelming display against Jamshedpur FC in the Super Cup semifinal might’ve cost him his place.

Moreover, the impressive performances of Asish Rai in the 2024-25 ISL gave Marquez more reason to choose him ahead of Valpuia in the Indian football team squad.

ALSO READ: Three new faces called up to Indian football team for June international window

3. Macarton Louis Nickson

Macarton Louis Nickson was arguably one of NorthEast United’s breakout talents in the 2024-25 ISL campaign, featuring prominently for the Highlanders. The 21-year-old midfielder impressed in the defensive midfield role, having three goal contributions (two goals, one assist).

He was able to make 97 possession recoveries and win 89 duels in 21 games for the Highlanders, proving himself as an agile and efficient defensive midfielder. However, the NorthEast United midfielder has been snubbed for the latest Indian football team squad.

That could be because the Highlanders stumbling in the final stage of the 2024-25 ISL campaign and their frustrating exit from the Super Cup. Nickson will probably need to work on his distribution work and composure under pressure to win a spot in Marquez’s Indian football team squad in the future.

2. Brison Fernandes

Brison Fernandes was the breakthrough talent in the 2024-25 Indian football season and was flourished with awards for the same. He won the ISL Breakout talent of the Season award as well as the equivalent award in the AIFF Awards show too.

Fernandes was moulded into a menacing threat by Marquez himself at FC Goa, allowing the winger to score 8 goals and provide two assists in 28 appearances across all competitions last season. He scored seven goals in 22 ISL games, including braces against Mohun Bagan and Odisha FC!

Despite his impressive work, Fernandes has been totally snubbed by Marquez at the national level. He’s not even in the provisional level, as it seems like the Spaniard wants more maturity from him to feature for the Indian football team.

1. Farukh Choudhary

Farukh Choudhary appeared to have become a mainstay in Manolo Marquez’s squad after producing some decent performances towards the end of 2024. He scored a great goal in the Blue Tigers’ 1-1 draw against Vietnam, as well as doing a decent job in the 1-1 draw against Malaysia in November (2024) friendly.

However, Farukh probably didn’t do his chances that good with his underwhelming performances in the 2024-25 ISL season. He scored just two goals in 21 appearances for Chennaiyin FC, failing to make a major impact in the attacking areas. Moreover, Choudhary also had a disappointing outing for the Indian football team in the March international window.

He had a disappointing game in the 3-0 win over Maldives and didn’t even get to feature against Bangladesh. He will need to work harder on his finishing skills and bring more consistency to his final product to regain his place with the Indian football team.

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