‘Historic moment for Indian football fans’: Shashi Tharoor celebrates as Indian-origin duo to feature in 2026 FIFA World Cup

NEW DELHI: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor celebrated what he called a major milestone for Indian football fans, highlighting the presence of two players of Indian origin in the 2026 FIFA World Cup squads.“Historic moment for Indian football fans. As FIFA World Cup 2026 approaches, we will have two players of Indian heritage gracing the global stage,” Tharoor wrote on X.Tharoor pointed to 19-year-old winger Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid, who became the first player of Indian origin to be selected for the Qatari national team. He noted that Jamshid’s family has its roots in Kannur, Kerala. He also singled out Australian winger Nishan Velupillai, whose family origins are in Tamil Nadu.“19-year-old winger Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid made history as the first Indian-origin player selected for the Qatari national team, carrying immense pride in his family roots in Kannur, Kerala. Meanwhile, Australia’s 26-man squad features dynamic 25-year-old Melbourne Victory winger of Tamil Velupa origin,” he added.Tharoor said the two players are carrying on the legacy established by former France midfielder Vikash Dhorasoo, whose ancestors hailed from Andhra Pradesh before later settling in Mauritius and France. Dhorasoo represented France at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, finishing as runner-up.“They follow in the footsteps of Vikash Dhorasoo, an elegant and creative midfielder whose ancestors hailed from Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh (migrating to Mauritius and later to France), who played for the French national team at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany and won a runner-up medal,” the MP wrote.Expressing pride in the achievements of the Indian diaspora, Tharoor said: “To see the world’s Indian diaspora make it on football’s biggest platform is an absolute joy. We wish both young men the best of luck as they head to North America.”The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.