Three Mumbai City players sent back to club after India’s SAFF Championship matchday one

Farukh Choudhary, Noufal PN and Hmingthanmawia Ralte (Valpuia) were released from India’s SAFF Championship 2026 squad to return to Mumbai City FC during the November international break, the All India Football Federation said when naming the side for upcoming New Zealand friendlies led by head coach Khalid Jamil.

India head coach Naushad Moosa began the SAFF Championship 2026 with a depleted group after Bijoy Varghese, Muhammad Suhail, Tomba Singh and Liston Colaco were not part of the squad despite earlier inclusion; Ronney Kharbudon (FC Goa) and Suresh Singh Wangjam (Bengaluru FC) are also absent through injury. The AIFF told media that an agreement with Mumbai City allowed the three players to take part only in India’s opening match against Pakistan, with the understanding they would return to their club when the November international window began.

Khel Now reported the arrangement and included a social media reaction, quoting: "This is a joke, if you ask me. @KhelNow We need to find out who negotiated this… https://t.co/GsvmhV1QuZ". The outlet described the agreement as confusing and said it raised questions over how the AIFF managed concurrent national-team commitments while the Indian Super League was underway.

The article noted that clubs are not obliged to release players during the ISL season, citing NorthEast United’s decision not to send Macarton Nickson and Md Rabeeh for India’s opener and their subsequent appearance for the club on the same matchday. By contrast, Farukh Choudhary, Noufal PN and Valpuia were available for and played in India’s opening match against Pakistan before being recalled by Mumbai City.

AIFF’s announcement of the squad for the New Zealand friendlies under Khalid Jamil coincided with news of the three players’ release, meaning they will be unavailable for continued participation with India in both the remainder of the SAFF Championship 2026 and the planned friendlies. Khel Now queried who negotiated the short-term release and said the move complicates Moosa’s squad planning for the tournament.

The three players have formally returned to Mumbai City FC after featuring in India’s first SAFF Championship 2026 match, the federation confirmed.