Sarpreet Singh (photo credit: @nz_football on x) Panaji: Given the state of football in the country, India may still be years away from getting to the World Championship, but next year in North America will start the biggest spectacle of sport, we will have something to call and encourage at home.
Despite rivalry in cricket, many Indians could actually take root in New Zealand at the 2026 tournament, which will be played throughout Mexico, Cananda and the USA. Reason? Sarpreet Singh, a midfielder of all white, who has its roots in the panda.
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Sarpreet was born in Auckland to Indian parents who moved from Pandjab, becoming only a second player in Indian origin after French midfielder Vikash Dorassoo (2006) to play at Marquee Fifa in his nearly 100 years of history.
“I grew up in a housewife in a pandjab house, in an Indian background, and for me it is a huge feeling of pride,” said Sarpreet, regular in the middle of the NZ field, by phone from Portugal, where he plays for the Uniao de Leiria.
The first player of Indian origin played in the German Bundesliga when he was signed in 2019 by the six -time European champion Bayern Munich, today Sarpreet is aware of the hope that he bears for the nation of his origin, which intensely desires to be counted among football elite.
“I will try because I know I represent a lot of people. I want to try to create a way for future Indian players; I hope it can lead for future players to go through and do their business,” he said.
New Zealand has qualified for the World Championship-Poppart since 2010 and for the third time in the history of the event-a harsh combat victory over New Caledonia in Oceania’s qualification. They will join Japan, Iran, Argentina and three hosts to be the first to create global extravaganza of 48 teams next year.
“Sarpreet Singh at the World Cup is not just a personal triumph, it is a historical statement for South Asian football,” said Baljit Rihal, based in the British, UK of Asian football awards and advocates of the South Asians in football.
“Vision” Singha “on the back of the shirt on the largest scene in the world will be a strong symbol of what is possible. This moment can inspire the outdated generation perception once and for all.”
After representing New Zealand at the World Cup under 17 years and under 20 years, he had the 26 -year first taste of the global stage when he represented New Zealand at the Paris Olympics last year.
In 2019, Bayern with one of the best scout systems in world football signed from the Wellington Phoenix club, the Kiwi club, which plays in Australian A-League.
Sarpreet started with reserves, but impressed coach Hansi Flick-Nění in Barcelona-in training together with Robert Lewandowski and Philippe Coutinho to get the first team of the team. While it exposed him to the requirements of professional football of the top flight, when he appeared for Bayern, when only 21 years, he immediately laid Sarpreet on a pedestal and became an inspiration for young South Asian footballers.
“It was a big thing for me personally and also for New Zealand and Indian people,” recalls Sarpreet.
Sarpreet, visitor to India in the past, played competitively in the country of birth of his parent. He was part of the New Zealand team when they participated in the Intercontinental Cup in Mumbai in 2019.
“Being Singh and returning and playing in India, against India was really strange,” he said. Visits of India, Family or Football have opened their eyes to another world. “I was with my family in villages where my parents were brought up, where my mom was brought up. I had to see how people live in India life. He was an eye opener,” he said.
Sarpreet is currently playing in Portugal and focusing on staying without injury and playing enough competitive matches in Europe to help him give the advantage for the World Championship next year.
“During my trip I had a lot of difficult times, so now I believe that I am now regrouping and rebuilding. Every career has some crashes. I have faced many challenges, but I think I can still show that it is still possible to continue, constantly pushing and reaching higher levels,” he said.
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