India name fresh squad under Naushad Moosa for SAFF Championship 2026 in Bangladesh
India will split into two squads in November, with Khalid Jamil taking a group to play two friendlies in New Zealand while Naushad Moosa will coach the side that contests the SAFF Championship 2026 in Bangladesh, scheduled from 5 to 17 November 2026. The SAFF-bound selection features more than 10 new call-ups who could make their senior debuts for the Blue Tigers.
November’s calendar will also include the Indian Super League and Indian Football League, and India’s dual-squad approach has opened opportunities for fringe and younger players to be tested at senior level. Naushad Moosa has called up Kerala Blasters’ Arsh Anwer Shaikh, NorthEast United’s Mohanraj K, and Mohan Bagan’s Priyansh Dubey as goalkeeping options for the SAFF trip. The three custodians have previous India U-23 experience and, according to the selection, would be in line for their first senior caps.
The goalkeeping trio brings differing club form into the squad: Arsh Anwer Shaikh has started two games for Kerala Blasters in ISL 2026-27, Mohanraj K is described as Tamil Nadu-born and has performed well in recent India U-23 call-ups, and Priyansh Dubey completes the group as the third named shot-stopper. The coaches will need to pick among these options for the tournament roster and matchday selections.
Abdul Rabeeh, who moved to NorthEast United after spells with FC Goa and Hyderabad FC, has started all four ISL matches this season for the Highlanders, registering 37 defensive contributions and 21 recoveries. Rabeeh has previous India U-23 involvement and Naushad Moosa has included the 25-year-old in the senior squad for the SAFF Championship 2026.
Sandip Mandi is noted in the call-up after a season that prompted East Bengal to sign him over the summer; the report states the 24-year-old started his senior career with Jamshedpur FC, spent three seasons there, and then moved to Mohammedan SC and Inter Kashi. Sandip Mandi is described as capable of playing both left-back and centre-back, a versatility cited as giving Naushad Moosa tactical options.
FC Goa right back Ronney Kharbudon is another new senior-team addition; he began his career with Shillong Lajong before joining the Gaurs ahead of this season and has made five appearances for FC Goa across the AFC Challenge League and the ISL this season. The article notes Ronney has earned the trust of FC Goa head coach Gouramangi at club level.
The 24-year-old Vishnu PV is included among the forwards and is recorded as having started his footballing journey in Kerala before joining East Bengal in 2023, where he has scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists in 83 matches for the Red and Gold Brigade. The positional breakdown released lists goalkeepers: Arsh Anwer Shaikh, Mohanraj K, Priyansh Dubey; defenders: Abdul Rabeeh, Bijoy Varghese, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Khaiminthang Lhungdim, Muhammed Uvais, Nathan Rodrigues, Ronney Kharbudon, Sandip Mandi; midfielders: Abhishek Suryavanshi, Adison Singh Thokchom, Brison Fernandes, Ebindas Yesudasan, Farukh Choudhary, Macarton Nickson, Manglenthang Kipgen, Nikhil Prabhu, Noufal PN, Ricky John Shabong, Suresh Singh Wangjam; forwards: Irfan Yadwad, Liston Colaco, Muhammad Suhail, Vishnu PV, Suhail Ahmad Bhat.
Naushad Moosa will lead India in the SAFF Championship 2026, and the team’s campaign is set to begin on November 5.