India football squad named for Panama, Brazil and Uruguay friendlies

Indian men’s national football team head coach Khalid Jamil has announced a 26-player squad for a series of international friendlies during the September-October FIFA International Match Window. The Blue Tigers are scheduled to face three World Cup-participating nations: Panama on September 26 in Bengaluru, followed by matches against Brazil on October 3 and Uruguay on October 6, both held in Kolkata.

The squad includes players such as goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and midfielder Ricky Shabong. Notable players Sandesh Jhinghan and LZ Chhangte were not included in the selection. The team will begin a preparatory camp in Bengaluru on September 14 before traveling to Kolkata on September 28.

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has expressed support for the high-profile fixtures, noting that consistent exposure to top-tier competition is essential for the development of Indian football. He suggested that playing against superior teams helps players raise their standards, drawing a parallel to the successful model used in Indian cricket.