Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Jun 11: While India remains far from qualifying for the FIFA World Cup, football fans in the country will still have a reason to cheer as four players of Indian origin are set to feature in the global showpiece.
India, currently ranked 139th in the FIFA men's rankings, will not be represented by its national team at the tournament. However, Sarpreet Singh (New Zealand), Nishan Velupillay (Australia), Samuel Moutoussamy (DR Congo), and Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid (Qatar) will carry Indian roots onto football's biggest stage.
Sarpreet Singh (New Zealand)
Born in Auckland in 1999 to Indian parents, Sarpreet Singh has emerged as one of New Zealand's most prominent footballers. The attacking midfielder first represented New Zealand at the 2015 Oceania U-17 Championship before appearing in the FIFA U-20 World Cups in 2017 and 2019.
Singh made his senior debut for the 'All Whites' in 2018 and has enjoyed a remarkable career path that took him from the Wynton Rufer Soccer Academy to German giants Bayern Munich. His World Cup appearance marks another significant milestone in his journey.
Nishan Velupillay (Australia)
Australia winger Nishan Velupillay brings a multicultural heritage to the Socceroos squad. Born in Melbourne, he has a Malaysian father of Sri Lankan Tamil descent and an Anglo-Indian mother.
The 25-year-old made an immediate impact on the international stage, scoring on his debut for Australia in a World Cup qualifier against China. Since coach Tony Popovic took charge in 2024, Velupillay has become a regular member of the national team.
Speaking recently, Velupillay said his inclusion highlighted the diverse backgrounds represented within the Australian squad and was a proud moment for his family.
Samuel Moutoussamy (DR Congo)
Defensive midfielder Samuel Moutoussamy represents DR Congo but traces part of his ancestry to India through his Indo-Guadeloupean father. Born in Paris to a Congolese mother, Moutoussamy has established himself as an experienced international footballer.
The 29-year-old made his DR Congo debut in 2019 and has earned more than 50 international caps. He is best known for his long stint with French club FC Nantes, where he made over 140 appearances.
Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid (Qatar)
Teenage winger Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid provides a direct Indian connection to the tournament. The 19-year-old's parents hail from Kannur in Kerala, while he was born and raised in Qatar.
A product of the renowned Aspire Football Academy, Tahsin has progressed through Qatar's youth ranks before earning a place in the senior national team setup. His rapid rise has made him one of the country's promising young talents.
As the World Cup unfolds, these four players are expected to attract considerable support from Indian football fans eager to see athletes with Indian roots shine on the sport's grandest stage.