Khalid Jamil names 26-man India squad for Sept-Oct FIFA window; training camp in Bengaluru from Sept 14

Khalid Jamil announced a 26-player India squad for the September-October FIFA Men’s International Match Window, with the national team to assemble in Bengaluru on September 14 ahead of friendlies against Panama (September 26, Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru), Brazil (October 3, Kolkata) and Uruguay (October 6, Kolkata).

The All India Football Federation, under Kalyan Chaubey, withdrew India from the ASEAN Cup and instead scheduled three home friendlies against teams that featured at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a change that occurred within the past 30 days from earlier preparations for the ASEAN Cup. India enter the window ranked 138th in the FIFA World Rankings and will face three opponents placed inside the top 50 of the global list, posing a stern test for a side the report notes has struggled to score against teams ranked around or below them.

Mohun Bagan Super Giants supply the largest contingent to the squad, with Abhishek Singh, Manvir Singh, Anirudh Thapa and Apuia retained from the club’s earlier Unity Cup probables after the club initially refused to release those players for that tournament. Sahal Abdul Samad returns following his Durand Cup form, while Golden Glove winner Vishal Kaith and defender Rahul Bheke were left out of this 26-man group.

Bengaluru FC’s presence in the squad has dropped from five to four players, with Nikhil Poojary and Naorem Roshan Singh omitted from the main roster; Roshan has been named in the reserves. Rahul Bheke has left Bengaluru FC to join Mohun Bagan, Ashique Kuruniyan returns to the national set-up, Ryan Williams is back after the injury sustained against Jamaica, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu retains his place and Ricky Meetei receives a maiden call-up after missing the Unity Cup squad because of visa issues.

East Bengal FC have four players called up, with Anwar Ali returning from injury and expected to lead the defence, Edmund Lalrindika retained, Prabhsukhan Gill and Jay Gupta recalled and Jeakson Singh omitted. Mumbai City FC’s representation falls from four to three; Noufal and Chhangte were omitted, with the latter no longer a Mumbai City player and having moved to Mohun Bagan SG, while Akash Mishra and Vikram Pratap Singh remain in the squad and Valpuia returns to the national team fold.

NorthEast United FC increase their representation to one after Louis Macarton Nickson was called up as a replacement for a Mohun Bagan midfielder, and their new signing Pramveer Singh—previously in the squad while representing Punjab FC—also features. Farukh Choudhary keeps his place following his free-kick goal against Tajikistan but is reported not to be training with Chennaiyin FC and his future is described as unresolved. Irfan Yadwad returns after missing the Unity Cup probables, Rahim Ali remains Odisha FC’s sole representative, and Som Kumar is the only India-based player plying his club football abroad—listed as playing for ND Slovan in the Slovenian top flight and noted to have signed a contract extension.

The squad list published by the coach names goalkeepers Albino Gomes, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Prabhsukhan Singh Gill and Som Kumar; defenders Abhishek Singh Tekcham, Akash Mishra, Anwar Ali, Bijoy Varghese, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Jay Gupta, Pramveer, Ricky Meetei Haobam; midfielders Anirudh Thapa, Ashique Kuruniyan, Farukh Choudhary, Lalengmawia Ralte, Macarton Nickson, Mohammed Sanan, Ricky Shabong, Sahal Abdul Samad; and forwards Edmund Lalrindika, Irfan Yadwad, Manvir Singh, Rahim Ali, Ryan Williams, Vikram Partap Singh.

Notable absences and club situations were highlighted in the selection coverage: Sandesh Jhingan’s omission was described as one of the biggest surprises from the 26-member squad, Kerala Blasters have no players called up amid ongoing off-field investor and first-team operational work, Sporting Club Delhi have yet to supply a national team call-up despite reaching the Durand Cup semi-finals, and Inter Kashi are reported to have lost a string of players—Narender Gahlot, Nishchal Chandan, Sandip Mandi, Nishu Kumar, Tomba Singh, Rohit Danu and Asif Khan—with the club focused on securing new investment. Jamshedpur retain Albino Gomes and Mohammad Sanan in the squad, with Albino expected to serve as an understudy to Gurpreet and Sanan noted as potentially having a bigger role following the omission of other players.

India will convene in Bengaluru on September 14 for the training camp ahead of the three friendlies: September 26 versus Panama at Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, October 3 versus Brazil in Kolkata and October 6 versus Uruguay in Kolkata, with the squad competing while India sit 138th in the FIFA global rankings.