Stimac Announces Squad for World Cup Qualifiers
Sayak Banerjee / 15-03-2024
Amidst ongoing speculation about the relationship between AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey and India’s head coach Igor Stimac, the two have put rumors to rest. They emphasized that success requires teamwork both on and off the field, expressing their unified vision for the future.
After a disappointing Asian Cup campaign, India now eyes the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. India will face Afghanistan on the 21st and 26th of this month, with the first match being an away game in Saudi Arabia and the second at home in Guwahati. Both Chaubey and Stimac have sent a strong message of unity ahead of these crucial matches.
The provisional squad includes players from prominent clubs, with East Bengal contributing three players and Mohun Bagan eight.
India’s Provisional 35-Man Squad:
| Goalkeepers: | Defenders: | Midfielders: | Forwards: |
| • Gurpreet Singh Sandhu • Phurba Lachenpa • Vishal Kaith • Amrinder Singh | • Lalchungnunga • Pritam Kotal • Mehtab Singh • Akash Mishra • Rahul Bheke • Nikhil Poojary • Subhasish Bose • Narender • Anwar Ali • Roshan Singh Naorem • Amey Ranawade • Joy Gupta | • Anirudh Thapa • Naorem Mahesh • Brandon Fernandes • Liston Colaco • Sahal Samad • Suresh Singh • Jeakson Singh • Deepak Tangri • Lalrinliana Hnamte | • Sunil Chhetri • Ishan Pandita • Lallianzuala Chhangte • Manvir Singh • Nandhakumar Sekar • KP Rahul • Vikram Pratap Singh • Rahim Ali |