Khalid Jamil announces 26-player India squad for Panama, Brazil and Uruguay friendlies

India head coach Khalid Jamil named a 26-player squad for the September-October FIFA International Match Window on Monday, August 31, 2026, with friendlies scheduled against Panama in Bengaluru on September 26 and Brazil and Uruguay in Kolkata on October 3 and October 6 respectively.

The three opponents are higher-ranked and each featured at the FIFA World Cup held earlier this year; Brazil are described as five-time world champions and Uruguay as two-time world champions in the announcement. The matches form part of the international window and are intended as preparatory fixtures ahead of India’s remaining 2026 commitments.

The selected goalkeepers are Albino Gomes, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Prabhsukhan Singh Gill and Som Kumar. Defenders named in the 26-player group are Abhishek Singh Tekcham, Akash Mishra, Anwar Ali, Bijoy Varghese, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Jay Gupta, Pramveer and Ricky Meetei Haobam. Midfield selections include Anirudh Thapa, Ashique Kuruniyan, Farukh Choudhary, Lalengmawia Ralte, Macarton Nickson, Mohammed Sanan, Ricky Shabong and Sahal Abdul Samad, while the forwards are Edmund Lalrindika, Irfan Yadwad, Manvir Singh, Rahim Ali, Ryan Williams and Vikram Partap Singh.

Four players have been named as reserves: goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari, defenders Chinglensana Singh Konsham and Roshan Singh Naorem, and midfielder Suresh Singh Wangjam; the announcement states they may be called up to the squad if required.

The federation noted a congested remainder of the 2026 calendar, with the senior team due to face four FIFA World Cup 2026 nations this year and the SAFF Championship scheduled for November. India are also expected to travel to New Zealand for two friendlies on November 12 and 15, dates that clash with the SAFF Championship 2026; "A decision is yet to be made but as things stand India will be playing these games in the coming months," the release said.

Jamil’s side will begin their preparatory camp on September 14 in Bengaluru, will play Panama at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on September 26, and will travel to Kolkata on September 28 ahead of the Brazil and Uruguay fixtures at the VYBK Stadium on October 3 and October 6.