The FIFA World Cup 2026, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, kicks off on June 11. India is not part of the squad list this year, but the country’s connection to the tournament runs deeper than most people remember.
Vikash Dhorasoo, a French midfielder of Indo-Mauritian origin whose ancestors hailed from Andhra Pradesh, was part of the France squad at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He made substitute appearances in the group stage against Switzerland and South Korea, and walked away with a runners-up medal as France lost to Italy on penalties in the final. For nearly two decades, he remained the closest the sport had come to putting someone with Indian roots on football’s biggest stage.
Others continued that thread. Sarpreet Singh, born in Auckland to Punjabi parents, became the first player of Indian origin to play in the Bundesliga when he joined Bayern Munich in 2019. Nishan Velupillay, born in Melbourne to an Anglo-Indian mother and a Malaysian father of Sri Lankan Tamil descent, made his Australia debut in 2024. Samuel Moutoussamy, born in France to a Congolese mother and an Indo-Guadeloupean father of Tamil origin, has represented DR Congo 57 times since 2019.
Now in 2026, Sarpreet, Nishan and Moutoussamy are all in World Cup squads, joined by the one name generating the most conversation. Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid is the first player born to Indian passport holders to be named in a FIFA World Cup squad. Born in Doha to Malayali parents from Kannur, Kerala, he trained at the Aspire Academy, became the first player of Indian origin to feature in the Qatar Stars League, and made his international debut against Afghanistan in 2024. At 19, he is the name Indian football fans are watching most closely this June.
His inclusion has set off a wave of conversation across Indian football circles, and also shifts attention to what is happening closer to home, where a crop of young Indian players are shaping Indian football right now.
Vikram Pratap Singh, 24, plays as a forward for Mumbai City FC and has become one of the most discussed young attackers in the ISL. Quick, direct, and composed in front of goal, he made his senior national team debut in 2024 after years of building his game at club level.
Jeakson Singh, 24, plays as a defensive midfielder for East Bengal FC, where he has been contracted since 2024. He first drew national attention when he scored India’s goal at the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. He has grown steadily since, becoming one of the more reliable presences in India’s midfield. Calm under pressure, strong in the tackle, and increasingly influential in build-up play, he is the kind of player coaches depend on rather than simply admire.
Suresh Singh Wangjam at Bengaluru FC is a product of the AIFF Elite Academy, known for his work rate, positional discipline, and ability to cover ground across both phases of play. He does not attract headlines easily, but he is a consistent national team presence.
Akash Mishra, a left-back at Mumbai City FC, has an unusual profile for a defender: overlapping runs, sharp delivery, and the stamina to influence attacks from deep. Still in his early twenties, he is already a regular in the national setup.
Rahul KP at Kerala Blasters brings pace and directness from the wing. He cuts inside, shoots, and creates, and has done enough in the ISL to suggest his best seasons are still ahead.
The reaction to Tahsin’s World Cup selection says something about where Indian football stands. There is hunger here, and there is talent. What has been missing is a stage big enough to hold both. Clubs across the country, including those working at the state level are trying to close that gap one season at a time.
