The Indian football team’s new head coach, Khalid Jamil, has announced a 23-player squad for the upcoming CAFA Nations Cup, which kicks off on August 29. This will be Jamil’s first official assignment since taking charge of the Blue Tigers.
India will travel to Tajikistan for the tournament and have been placed in a tough Group B alongside the hosts, defending champions Iran, and Afghanistan. The campaign begins against Tajikistan on August 29, followed by matches with Iran on September 1 and Afghanistan on September 4.
Final Squad For CAFA Nations Cup After Training Camp
Jamil picked his final squad after a training camp that saw 29 players in attendance. However, Mohun Bagan refused to release their seven players, arguing that the tournament doesn’t fall on a FIFA international window.
Despite that setback, the camp got a boost when East Bengal’s Anwar Ali, Naorem Mahesh Singh, and Jeakson Singh joined last Friday, while Jithin MS linked up on Sunday after finishing his club commitments. All four have made it to the final squad.
A big positive for India is the return of seasoned goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. Meanwhile, star forward Sunil Chhetri is not part of the team, as Jamil hadn’t included him in the camp. Also missing out are Mohun Bagan’s Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh, and Subhasish Bose due to the club’s refusal to release them.
CAFA Nations Cup Format
The CAFA Nations Cup will see the top two teams from each group qualify for the play-offs on September 8. The group runners-up will battle it out in Dushanbe for third place, while the group winners will face off in the final in Tashkent.
For Jamil, who previously impressed as Jamshedpur FC’s head coach, this will be a challenging first test. India are currently struggling in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, with just one point from two matches and sitting at the bottom of their group.
Jamil began his first camp with the Blue Tigers earlier this month, on August 1.
India’s 23-Member Squad for CAFA Nations Cup
Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Hrithik Tiwar
Defenders: Rahul Bheke, Naorem Roshan Singh, Anwar Ali, Sandesh Jhingan, Chinglensana Singh, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Muhammed Uvai
Midfielders: Nikhil Prabhu, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Danish Farooq Bhat, Jeakson Singh, Boris Singh, Ashique Kuruniyan, Udanta Singh, Naorem Mahesh Singh
Forwards: Irfan Yadwad, Manvir Singh (Jr.), Jithin MS, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Vikram Partap Singh
Head Coach: Khalid Jamil
ALSO READ: IPL 2026: Dhruv Jurel Opens Up On RR Captaincy Talk Amid Samson Exit Rumors
