FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Yash Pratap Singh
The Indian football team will return to action in June in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2027 AFC Asian Cup joint qualifiers against Kuwait and Qatar. While the game against Kuwait will be played at home on June 6, India will play away from home against Qatar on June 11.
The Blue Tigers have a do-or-die situation in hand because any slip ups from here will bring an end to their slim chances of qualifying for the third round of the qualifiers. Ahead of the games in June, India’s head coach Igor Stimac has announced his first list of probables consisting 26 players from the ISL as well as the I-League for a preparatory camp in Bhubaneswar.
Let us take a look at the new faces who have received a national team call-up.
Edmund had a great season in the I-League with Inter Kashi. He is one of the four players who has been called up from I-League. He gathered 12 goals contributions including four goals and eight assists during the recently concluded campaign. He set the league on fire and was the second highest assist-getter. 
Muhammad Hammad is another I-League who has been handed his national team call-up. The Real Kashmir FC skipper was one of the most solid defenders in the I-League this season and also won the best defender award for keeping 12 clean-sheets. His heroics have earned him a lot of praise and offers from the ISL alongside his maiden national team call-up.
David put on an influential performance in the 2023-24 I-League season and helped Mohammedan SC win the competition and qualify for the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season. The forward has scored 11 goals across all competitions for the Black Panthers. His inclusion in the squad could very well aid India’s goal-scoring problems.
Kerala Blasters’ Vibin Mohanan is also one of the key players who received a national team call-up. The youngster had a breakthrough season in the Kerala Blasters midfield in the ISL. He is one of the top emerging players who has a mixture of great offensive and defensive skills. He is very technical with the ball and has top-notch vision and pass completion rate.
NorthEast United’s Jithin MS has been operating a whole new different level this season. The forward started slow in the first half of the season, but has changed the tide since the turn of the year. He is possibly one of the most improved and impactful players under Juan Pedro Benali. Jithin’s pace coupled with his never-say-die attitude is what makes him so special. He has scored five goals and has provided four assists across all competitions this season.
Parthib has finally received his first ever senior national team call-up. He is regular starter for the junior level national teams and has performed brilliantly well.
The forward is also one among the few Indian strikers who have scored 10 goals across all competitions this season. He has developed his gameplay and seems to be more mature and calm now. His inclusion in the squad is definitely a good sign for the national team moving forward.
The Aizawl FC forward who scored 15 goals in the recently concluded I-League campaign is perhaps the finest addition to the camp. Lalbiaknia is a prolific goal-getter and can help fight the goal-scoring woes of India.
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