India’s Football Team Readies for AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers Against Singapore
The head coach of the Indian men’s national football team, Khalid Jamil, has announced a squad of 23 players for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers. The team will face Singapore at the National Stadium in Singapore on October 9, with the match kicking off at 5:00 PM IST.
This squad was finalized on October 5, following training sessions in Bengaluru that began on September 20. After the away match, India will host Singapore in a return encounter on October 14 at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa, set to begin at 7:30 PM IST.
The team is scheduled to leave for Singapore on October 6, arriving later that evening.
Currently, India is under pressure in Group C, sitting at the bottom with just one point from two matches. In contrast, Singapore leads the group with four points from four games. Only the group winners will qualify directly for the 2027 Asian Cup, making it critical for India to perform well.
Coach Jamil emphasized the need for the team to concentrate on the upcoming match against Singapore, saying, “We’re not focused on the overall standings right now. Our next match is crucial, and we must take it one game at a time.”
While the squad for the away game consists of 23 players, two others—goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari and forward Muhammed Suhail—are on standby for the home match in Goa. Jamil remarked, “We are keeping an eye on Hrithik and Suhail in case of any adjustments.”
With hopes of qualification still alive, India will aim to secure a strong performance in Singapore before returning home, where support from local fans in Goa could be a game changer. The road to the Asian Cup is tough, and the Blue Tigers are determined to make every match count.
