The Indian men's national football team is set to embark on a new journey under the guidance of head coach Khalid Jamil at the CAFA Nations Cup 2025. Their campaign begins against Tajikistan on August 29 at the Hisor Central Stadium in Hisor, Tajikistan, at 9:00 PM IST. This tournament marks India's debut in the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) Nations Cup.
India has been drawn into Group B alongside co-hosts Tajikistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. Group A consists of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, and Oman. The top teams from each group will advance to the final, while the second-placed teams will compete for third place. The final and third-place matches are scheduled for September 8.
Khalid Jamil's appointment as the head coach of the Indian national team is a significant moment, as he is the first Indian to manage the team since Savio Medeira in 2012. Jamil, a former Indian midfielder with 40 international caps between 1998 and 2006, brings a wealth of experience from coaching various clubs, including Jamshedpur FC. He officially took charge of the national team on August 1, 2025.
Jamil finalized a 23-member squad for the CAFA Nations Cup, which began with a preparatory camp in Bengaluru. The squad includes Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, and Hrithik Tiwar as goalkeepers; Rahul Bheke, Naorem Roshan Singh, Anwar Ali, and Sandesh Jhingan as defenders; and Suresh Singh Wangjam, Danish Farooq Bhat, and Jeakson Singh as midfielders.
The CAFA Nations Cup 2025 serves as a crucial preparation ground for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifications, which commence in October. India is aiming to gain momentum and improve their form after a challenging start to the initial cycles. Jamil has named Sandesh Jhingan, Rahul Bheke, and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu as the three captains for the CAFA Nations Cup.
India and Tajikistan have a history of five encounters, with India securing one win in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup final. Tajikistan has won three times, and one match ended in a draw.
The match will be streamed live on the FanCode app and website.
