Bengaluru, October 5, 2025 – India's national football team is set to face Singapore in a crucial AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round Group C match, and the Blue Tigers will have their talisman, Sunil Chhetri, leading the charge. Head coach Khalid Jamil announced the 23-member squad on Sunday, including Chhetri and key defender Sandesh Jhingan, both of whom are expected to play pivotal roles in the upcoming match.
The team will travel to Singapore for the match scheduled for October 9 at the National Stadium, Singapore, kicking off at 17:00 IST. The return leg will be held on October 14 at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa, starting at 19:30 IST.
Chhetri's inclusion in the squad marks his return to the national side after being rested for the CAFA Nations Cup in August-September. Jhingan, who was recovering from an injury he suffered during India's match against Iran in the CAFA Nations Cup, has also been included in the squad.
Coach Jamil emphasized the importance of focusing on the immediate task at hand. "We are not looking at the overall picture at the moment. There are still four matches to go, and the next one against Singapore is the most important for us right now," he stated. "We cannot look too far ahead – we must go one step at a time".
India currently sits at the bottom of Group C with one point from two matches, while Singapore leads the group with four points. Only the top team in the group will qualify for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027, making the upcoming matches against Singapore critical for India's chances.
The 23-member squad includes a mix of experienced players and promising talents. Goalkeepers Amrinder Singh, Gurmeet Singh, and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu will be vying for the starting spot. The defense will be marshaled by Anwar Ali, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Muhammed Uvais, Pramveer, Rahul Bheke, and Sandesh Jhingan. The midfield comprises Brandon Fernandes, Danish Farooq Bhat, Deepak Tangri, Macarton Louis Nickson, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Nikhil Prabhu, Sahal Abdul Samad, and Udanta Singh Kumam. Spearheading the attack alongside Chhetri will be Farukh Choudhary, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Liston Colaco, Rahim Ali, and Vikram Partap Singh.
While the team is traveling to Singapore with 23 players, Jamil has kept goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari and forward Muhammed Suhail on standby for the home game on October 14. "Though we are travelling with 23 players, we are constantly monitoring the rest. For now, Hrithik and Suhail have been kept on standby for the two matches against Singapore," said Jamil.
The Blue Tigers have been training in Bengaluru since September 20 to prepare for the matches. The team is scheduled to depart for Singapore on October 6. With Chhetri back in the fold and Jhingan's return from injury, the Indian squad will be aiming to secure a crucial victory against Singapore and revive their chances of qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.
