Five low-return players named in India’s 26-man squad for Panama, Brazil and Uruguay friendlies
Khalid Jamil named a 26-player India squad on 31st August 2026 for September-October international friendlies against Panama, Brazil and Uruguay, selecting several players whose recent returns have been limited.
The fixtures pit the Blue Tigers against higher-ranked FIFA World Cup nations in the September-October international break, and the squad announcement has drawn attention because a good result or draw could raise India’s FIFA ranking and assist future World Cup qualification efforts. The list omitted veterans such as Rahul Bheke, Sandesh Jhinghan and Lallianzuala Chhangte, prompting questions about some of Jamil’s selections for the three high-profile matches.
Vikram remains a regular in Jamil’s squads but has scored only once in 14 appearances for the Blue Tigers, that goal arriving in the most recent match against Tajikistan which finished 1-1. The article notes his positioning, pressing and stamina as strengths, yet criticises his finishing; over the last two seasons for Mumbai City FC he has made more than 40 appearances with four goals and one assist.
Ashique Kuruniyan, a national-team player since 2018, has more than 40 caps but only two international goals, and his inclusion surprised observers given the exclusion of senior names such as Sandesh Jhinghan, Rahul Bheke, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Jeakson Singh and Vishal Kaith from even backup roles. At club level for Bengaluru FC across the last two seasons he has made over 30 appearances but has only combined for three goals and assists.
Farukh Choudhary, who debuted for India in 2018 and has 24 caps, recorded an unimpressive 2025-26 campaign with Chennaiyin FC of 12 appearances, one goal and one assist (the assist came against Odisha FC). In 2024-25 he made 22 appearances and contributed two goals and one assist, figures the article presents as modest.
Rahim Ali has 21 appearances for the national team since 2021 and one international goal; the piece states that under Khalid Jamil he is often deployed as a forward who holds the ball during offensive transitions in counter-attacks. For Odisha FC in the last two seasons Rahim logged 34 appearances with five goals and two assists, but the article says he has not made meaningful impacts for India.
Irfan Yadwad’s call-up attracted strong attention: he has seven India caps and, according to the article, has failed to establish himself at international level. For Chennaiyin FC over the past two seasons he made more than 40 appearances, scoring seven goals and providing four assists, and his inclusion is noted as coming at the expense of players such as Lallianzuala Chhangte and Noufal P.N.
India will face Panama on 25th September, Brazil on 3rd October and Uruguay on 6th October, with Khalid Jamil serving as head coach for the international break.