No Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet back as Indian football team camp begins under Khalid Jamil

13 players are yet to join the Indian Football Team camp in Bengaluru.

Newly appointed Indian football team head coach Khalid Jamil has started the first training camp of his tenure, set to run in Bengaluru from August 15 to 25 at the Dravid-Padukone Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru. This marks a big moment for Indian football, as Jamil is the first Indian in 13 years to coach the senior national side.

“Khalid could not call up many good youngsters like Fanai, Suhail, Abhishek Tekham as they are part of the U23 team camp, ” a souce close to the development told Khel Now.

Jamil’s first real test will come at the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, which kicks off on August 29. India will take on Tajikistan (August 29), IR Iran (September 1) and Afghanistan (September 4) in Group B. In October, the Blue Tigers will play two crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers against Singapore (October 9 and 14).

AIFF is expected to announce the squad shortly. After many years, an Indian Army player is set to join the national camp. Players from clubs currently engaged in the Durand Cup will join later. @KhelNow Likely players in camp: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Akash…

— Ashish Negi (@7negiashish) August 15, 2025

Also Read: Khalid Jamil signs two-year contract as Indian Football team head coach

Khalid Jamil makes a surprise inclusion in the Indian Football team squad

There’s no Sunil Chhetri in the list as Gurpreet Singh Sandhu returns to the fold after being left out earlier, while Akash Mishra is back fit after injury.

However, the list saw an unexpected name — Sunil Benchamin from the Indian Army.

However, the camp is missing 13 players who are still busy with the Durand Cup. This group includes Mohun Bagan Super Giant regulars Anirudh Thapa, Deepak Tangri, Apuia, Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh, Sahal Abdul Samad, and Vishal Kaith, as well as East Bengal’s Anwar Ali, Jeakson Singh, Mahesh Singh Naorem. Jithin MS, Manvir Singh and Albino Gomes will also join the camp later.

Indian Football team list of probables for the camp

Goalkeepers: Vishal Kaith (Mohun Bagan Super Giant), Albino Gomes (Jamshedpur FC), Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Bengaluru FC), Amrinder Singh (Odisha FC), Hritik Tiwari (FC Goa)

Defenders: Anwar Ali (East Bengal), Jeakson Singh (East Bengal), Akash Mishra (Mumbai City FC), Sandesh Jhingan (FC Goa), Rahul Bheke (Bengaluru FC), Chinglensana Singh (Bengaluru FC), Valpuia (Mumbai City FC), Alex Saji (Hyderabad FC), Naorem Roshan Singh (Bengaluru FC), Boris Singh (FC Goa), Sunil Benchamin

Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa (Mohun Bagan Super Giant), Lalengmawia Ralte (Mohun Bagan Super Giant), Sahal Abdul Samad (Mohun Bagan Super Giant), Suresh Singh Wangjam (Bengaluru FC), Udanta Singh (FC Goa), Danish Farooq Bhat (Kerala Blasters), Mahesh Singh Naorem (East Bengal), Deepak Tangri (Mohun Bagan Super Giant)

Forwards: Manvir Singh (Mohun Bagan Super Giant), Lallianzuala Chhangte (Mumbai City FC), Rahim Ali (Odisha FC), Rahul KP (Odisha FC), Irfan Yadwad (Chennaiyin FC), Vikram Pratap Singh (Mumbai City FC), Jithin MS (NorthEast United FC), Ashique Kuruniyan (Bengaluru FC), Liston Colaco (Mohun Bagan Super Giant), Manvir Singh (Jamshedpur FC)

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