Kamal Ghorui
Indian football team players
NEW DELHI: Indian Senior men’s football team head coach Khalid Jamil announced a 28-member preliminary squad for the upcoming Unity Cup 2026 on Thursday, highlighted by the return of Mohun Bagan midfielder Anirudh Thapa. The Blue Tigers will assemble in Bengaluru for a brief training camp following the conclusion of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 season. The head coach will evaluate the players during this camp before finalizing a 23-member roster to board the flight to London on May 24. Jamil emphasized that testing the team against higher-ranked opponents provides crucial exposure. “We need to utilize every available FIFA International Window to prepare for the tournaments up ahead,” the coach said, pointing toward the SAFF Championship later this year.What is the Unity Cup ? The Unity Cup is a premier international football tournament celebrating Afro-Centric and global diaspora communities. First staged in 2002 at Loftus Road, home to Queens Park Rangers (QPR) and subsequently held at The Valley in 2004, the tournament was revived in 2025 at Brentford after a prolonged hiatus. After the massive success of the 2025 edition, the 2026 edition marks a sentimental return to its historic home, The Valley—the home ground of Charlton Athletic FC in South London—running from May 26 to May 30.The four-nation knockout event features defending champions Nigeria, Jamaica, Zimbabwe, and India. This participation holds immense historical significance for the Blue Tigers, marking their return to the United Kingdom for international fixtures after a 24-year hiatus.Currently ranked 136th globally, India faces a daunting challenge against 71st-ranked Jamaica in the second semi-final on May 27 midnight (May 28 IST). Meanwhile, tournament heavyweights Nigeria (ranked 26th) take on Zimbabwe (ranked 130th) in the opening semi-final on May 26. The winners will advance to the final on May 30, while the losing sides will play the third-place play-off earlier that day.India’s 28-member preliminary squad for Unity Cup 2026:Goalkeepers: 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.Midfielders: Ashique Kuruniyan, Lalengmawia Ralte, Sahal Abdul Samad, Anirudh Thapa, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Noufal PN, Ricky Shabong.Forwards: Ryan Williams, Manvir Singh, Liston Colaco, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, Edmund Lalrindika, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Rahim Ali, Farukh Choudhary.
