India will not be able to play in the FIFA World Cup 2026, but these 4 Indian-origin players will be there
India has not yet participated in the senior men's FIFA World Cup, but the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup in 2026 will have a significant Indian connection. India actually qualified for the 1950 FIFA World Cup but withdrew from the competition citing travel costs. Although the Indian football team will not be participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, four Indian-origin players are set to represent different countries.
India has not yet participated in the senior men's FIFA World Cup, but the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup in 2026 will have a significant Indian connection.
India actually qualified for the 1950 FIFA World Cup, but withdrew from the competition citing travel costs.
Although the Indian football team will not be participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, four Indian-origin players are set to represent different countries. The tournament will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11.
Here's a look at those four players:
Tahseen Mohammad Jamsheed (Qatar)
Tahseen Mohammad Jamsheed was born on 16 June 2006 and he is only 19 years old. He was born to Malayali parents, Jamsheed and Shaima, who moved to Qatar in 1996. His father played football for Calicut University, Kerala and is currently working as an accountant in Qatar.Tahseen trained at Qatar's Aspire Academy and joined Al Dohail. While there, he emerged as one of Qatar's most promising young attackers. The winger has represented Qatar, including at senior, under-23, under-20 and youth levels.
Tahseen made his senior debut for Qatar in a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier against Afghanistan in June 2024.
Sarpreet Singh (New Zealand)
Sarpreet Singh was born on 20 February 1997 in Auckland, New Zealand, whose parents are from Jalandhar, Punjab. After a stellar time with Wellington Phoenix, German giants Bayern Munich signed Sarpreet in 2019.
He returned to Wellington Phoenix on loan from Serbian club TSC, after spending time in Germany and Portugal. He made his senior debut for New Zealand in 2018 and has since gained 24 international caps.Earlier this year, Sarpreet suffered a knee injury during his first match with Wellington Phoenix. He has recovered from the injury after completing rehabilitation and is set to play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nishan Velupillai (Australia)
Nishan Velupillai was born on 7 May 2001 in Melbourne, to his father, Sasinath Velupillai, who is Malaysian and of Sri Lankan Tamil roots, and his mother, Jillian, who is Anglo-Indian.
Mark progressed through Melbourne Victory's academy system in Australian football. The winger has made 128 appearances for Melbourne Victory's senior team since 2021, scoring 19 goals.
Nishan Velupillai will represent Australia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He made his senior debut for Australia during a FIFA World Cup qualifier match against China in 2024, and has since earned six international caps.
**Samuel Moutousamy (DR Congo)**Samuel Moutousami was born on 12 August 1996 in Paris, to a Congolese mother and Indo-Guadeloupean father. Even though he was born in Paris, he chose DR Congo for international football.
He spent an extensive career with French club Nantes, playing 144 matches there, followed by playing experience in the Netherlands and Türkiye. Samuel currently plays for Greek club Atromitos.
The defensive midfielder debuted for DR Congo in 2019 and has since earned 57 caps.
