Indian football team players
NEW DELHI: India senior men’s football team head coach Khalid Jamil on Thursday announced the 28-man preliminary squad for the upcoming Unity Cup 2026, highlighted by the return of Mohun Bagan midfielder Anirudh Thapa. The Blue Tigers will gather in Bengaluru for a short training camp following the conclusion of the 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) season. The head coach will evaluate the players during this camp before finalizing a 23-man roster to take on London on May 24. Jamil emphasized that testing the team against higher-ranked opponents provides crucial exposure. “We have to use every available FIFA International Window to prepare for the tournaments ahead,” the coach said, pointing to the SAFF Championship later this year.What is the Unity Cup? The Unity Cup is the premier international football tournament celebrating Afro-centric and global diaspora communities. The tournament was first introduced in 2002 at Loftus Road, the home of Queens Park Rangers (QPR) and subsequently at The Valley in 2004, resuming in 2025 at Brentford after an extended hiatus. Following the massive success of the 2025 edition, the 2026 edition is a sentimental return to its historic home, The Valley – Charlton Athletic FC’s home ground in South London – which runs from 26 May to 30 May.The four-nation knockout competition will feature defending champions Nigeria, Jamaica, Zimbabwe and India. This participation is of immense historical significance for the Blue Tigers and marks their return to the UK for international matches after a 24-year absence.India, currently ranked 136th in the world, face a daunting challenge against 71st Jamaica in the second semi-final on May 27 at midnight (May 28 IST). Meanwhile, tournament heavyweights Nigeria (ranked 26) face Zimbabwe (ranked 130) in the opening semi-final on May 26. The winners advance to the final on 30 May, while the losers play a third-place play-off earlier that day.India’s provisional 28-man squad for Unity Cup 2026:GoalkeepersCast: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Vishal Kaith, Hrithik Tiwari, Albino Gomes.Defenders: Rahul Bheke, Nikhil Poojary, Roshan Singh Naorem, Abhishek Singh Tekcham, Anwar Ali, Sandesh Jhingan, Akash Mishra, Bijoy Varghese, Pramveer.ReservesCast: Ashique Kuruniyan, Lalengmawia Ralte, Sahal Abdul Samad, Anirudh Thapa, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Noufal PN, Ricky Shabong.Attackers: Ryan Williams, Manvir Singh, Liston Colaco, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, Edmund Lalrindika, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Rahim Ali, Farukh Choudhary.
