Four Players of Indian Heritage Set to Compete in 2026 FIFA World Cup
New Delhi: The 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, will feature four footballers of Indian heritage.
New Zealand midfielder Sarpreet Singh, born in Auckland to Punjabi parents, is among them. Football fans in India may recall his performance in the 2018 Intercontinental Cup held in Mumbai, where he made his senior international debut. Singh notably scored against Kenya and assisted both goals in a victory over India. His career advanced to Bayern Munich, making him the first footballer of Indian descent to compete in Germany’s top division. After contributing to Bayern’s Bundesliga title, he has since played in Portugal and Serbia. He is set to return to the World Cup following a recovery from an injury that sidelined him earlier this year.
DR Congo’s Samuel Moutoussamy brings considerable international experience, with 57 appearances for the African nation since 2019. He currently plays professionally in Greece and carries Tamil ancestry through his father.
Australia’s Nishan Velupillay has made a name for himself with the Socceroos, having scored on his international debut during World Cup qualifying. The Melbourne native developed through local football before joining Melbourne Victory.
Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid, a winger from Qatar, was born in Doha to parents who relocated from Kannur in 2006. A product of the Aspire Academy, he became the first player of Indian origin to participate in the Qatar Stars League and made his senior international debut during World Cup qualifying in 2024.
Another player with Indian roots, defender Niall Mason, was part of Qatar’s preliminary selection but did not make the final squad.
Connection to the ISL
The tournament will also include familiar faces for fans of the Indian Super League. Haiti’s Duckens Nazon, who played for Kerala Blasters in the 2016 season, has been selected for his national team and heads to the World Cup as Haiti’s all-time leading goalscorer.
