Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
India are set for a demanding September-October FIFA window, with Khalid Jamil naming a 26-member squad for three friendlies against World Cup opposition. The Blue Tigers will face Panama, Brazil and Uruguay in a rare run of high-profile fixtures.
The campaign begins against Panama on September 26 at Bengaluru’s Sree Kanteerava Stadium. Ranked 44th in the world, Panama featured at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and will provide India with a stern opening test. It will also be the first-ever meeting between the two nations.
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Jamil’s squad will assemble in Bengaluru from September 14, giving the players nearly two weeks to prepare before the Panama clash. Following that match, India will travel to Kolkata on September 28 for the two marquee fixtures.
The biggest challenge awaits on October 3, when India take on five-time world champions Brazil at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. The Blue Tigers will then face another heavyweight in two-time world champions Uruguay at the same venue on October 6. All three opponents featured at the 2026 World Cup.
The 26-member squad features four goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders and six forwards. Experienced names such as Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Anirudh Thapa, Anwar Ali and Manvir Singh are included, while Ryan Williams is also part of the attacking group.
For Jamil, the window offers an opportunity to assess his squad against considerably stronger opposition. With India rarely getting the chance to face teams of Brazil and Uruguay’s stature, the three matches could provide valuable exposure while giving the coach a clearer picture of his side’s level against World Cup-calibre opponents.
The schedule is also part of a broader push to give India more exposure against top international teams. AIFF officials have described the Panama fixture as an important test ahead of the Brazil match, with the Central American side’s top-50 ranking adding further significance to the opening encounter.
India squad for Uruguay, Panama and Brazil matches
Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Albino Gomes, Som Kumar, Prabhsukhan Singh Gill
Defenders: Akash Mishra, Abhishek Singh Tekcham, Bijoy Varghese, Anwar Ali, Jay Gupta, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Pramveer, Ricky Meetei Haobam
Midfielders: Macarton Nickson, Ashique Kuruniyan, Farukh Choudhary, Anirudh Thapa, Lalengmawia Ralte, Sahal Abdul Samad, Mohammed Sanan, Ricky Shabong
Forwards: Irfan Yadwad, Edmund Lalrindika, Rahim Ali, Manvir Singh, Ryan Williams, Vikram Partap Singh
India’s schedule for the matches
September 26: India vs Panama — Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru
October 3: India vs Brazil — Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata
October 6: India vs Uruguay — Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
