India name 26-player squad for friendlies against Panama, Brazil and Uruguay
India head coach Khalid Jamil has named a 26-player squad for September–October FIFA international friendlies against Panama, Brazil and Uruguay, with the fixtures scheduled for Sept. 26 in Bengaluru and Oct. 3 and Oct. 6 in Kolkata.
The matches form part of the September–October FIFA international match window and the preparatory camp will begin on Sept. 14 in Bengaluru. The squad announcement drew mixed reactions from Indian football fans, according to the original report, and four additional players have been listed as reserves: goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari, defenders Chinglensana Singh Konsham and Roshan Singh Naorem, and midfielder Suresh Singh Wangjam.
A major talking point is the omission of centre-back Sandesh Jhingan; the 33-year-old, who has played more than 70 games for India and has been described as one of the country’s most reliable players over the last four to five years, was not included in the 26-player group. The report notes Jhingan has provided solidity and leadership for the backline and cites his past performances against opponents such as Australia and Qatar.
Several other established national-team players were left out of the squad. The omissions listed include Rahul Bheke (35 years old, 50 games for India), Liston Colaco (27 years old, 34 international caps and one goal), Jeakson Singh (32 senior appearances) and Vishal Kaith, in addition to Sandesh Jhingan. Lallianzuala Chhangte (29) was also omitted despite being named the FPAI player of the year and finishing as the highest-scoring Indian in ISL 2025-26; the article records he has scored nine goals in 55 appearances for the national team.
The squad size itself is flagged as a concern in the piece: Jamil named only 26 players to the main squad, with four players held as reserves rather than included in the core group. The report states the preparatory camp spans more than 10 days and warns that if multiple players arrive with limited preseason minutes, or suffer injuries during camp, the coach may have few like-for-like replacement options.
The selection also omitted a number of players noted for recent club form. The list of absent in-form performers includes Fanai, Hnamte, Joseph Sunny, Noufal, Bipin Singh and David Lalhansanga. The article records that Hnamte recently joined SC Delhi from Chennaiyin FC and led the U-23 national team under Naushad Moosa, and that Bipin Singh (32) played a key role in East Bengal FC’s ISL 2025-26 triumph.
At the same time, the squad retains some familiar faces who the report describes as having been below average for India and at club level: Rahim Ali, Farukh Choudhary and Vikram Partap Singh. The original piece frames the overall selection as a mix of new faces and continuity, noting that this combination presents a degree of contradiction in the squad’s message.
India will face Panama on Sept. 26 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, then Brazil on Oct. 3 and Uruguay on Oct. 6 at the VYBK Stadium in Kolkata; Khalid Jamil will lead the squad through the preparatory camp that begins on Sept. 14.