Indian men’s football team head coach, Igor Stimac, has recently unveiled his first list of 26 probables for the Bhubaneswar camp in preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 matches against Kuwait and Qatar. The coach is set to announce a second list of probables in the coming days. Notably, players from Mohun Bagan Super Giants and Mumbai City FC have been excluded from the first list as they are participating in the Indian Super League (ISL) final in Kolkata.
Stimac’s focus is not only on selecting the best players but also on assessing the fitness levels of the players from these two teams to ensure that the fittest individuals are included in the final squad. The training camp is scheduled to commence in Odisha capital on May 10, with the Blue Tigers facing Kuwait in Kolkata on June 6 and Qatar in Doha on June 11. Currently placed second in their group with four points from four matches, India aims to secure a spot in Round 3 of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and secure a place in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.
The first list of 26 probables includes goalkeepers Amrinder Singh and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, defenders Amey Ganesh Ranawade, Jay Gupta, Lalchungnunga, Muhammad Hammad, Narender, Nikhil Poojary, and Roshan Singh Naorem. In the midfield, players like Brandon Fernandes, Edmund Lalrindika, Imran Khan, Isak Vanlalruatfela, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Mohammad Yasir, Nandhakumar Sekar, Rahul Kannoly Praveen, Suresh Singh Wangjam, and Vibin Mohanan have been included. The list of forwards comprises David Lalhlansanga, Jithin Madathil Subran, Lalrinzuala, Parthib Sundar Gogoi, Rahim Ali, and the legendary Sunil Chhetri.
As the team gears up for crucial qualifying matches, Stimac’s meticulous selection process aims at assembling a strong and fit squad capable of securing victories and advancing to the next stage of the competition. With the potential to make significant strides in international football, the Indian team under Stimac’s guidance is striving for success and recognition on the global stage.
