India’s dream of competing in the FIFA World Cup remains unfulfilled. Despite being a country with a huge passion for football, the men’s national team has never made it to this prestigious event.
Recent statistics from the 2022 World Cup illustrate the excitement surrounding the tournament in India. Approximately 745 million people from the country engaged with the tournament through television and social media, making it the second-largest audience worldwide, just after China. Around 84 million viewers watched the matches on TV, showcasing India as a major football market.
Even though India’s flag won’t be among the 48 nations taking part in the upcoming tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, there will be some familiar faces with Indian roots on the field.
Four players of Indian descent are set to participate in the 2026 World Cup. Their journeys take them from Punjab and Kerala to places like New Zealand, Qatar, Australia, and even the Caribbean, highlighting the diverse paths of the Indian diaspora over time.
### Sarpreet Singh (New Zealand)
Among these players, Sarpreet Singh is likely the most recognized by Indian football fans. Born in Auckland to parents from Jalandhar, Punjab, Singh has become a significant player in New Zealand football. His family once ran a grocery store in Auckland, and he openly cherishes his Punjabi heritage, saying, “I’m from a very typical Punjabi family with a lot of uncles and aunties and cousins.”
Sarpreet represented New Zealand in the FIFA U-20 World Cups of 2017 and 2019 before moving up to the senior team. His big break came in 2019 when Bayern Munich signed him from Wellington Phoenix, making him one of the few New Zealanders to join such a prominent European club. Though he didn’t play regularly for Bayern, the experience boosted his profile. Now 27, he plays for Serbian club TSC and has earned 24 international caps since his senior debut in 2018.
### Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid (Qatar)
On the younger side, Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid is one of Qatar’s rising stars. At just 19 years old, he was born in Qatar to parents from Kerala. His father, Jamshid, played football at the University of Calicut and for Kerala’s sub-junior team before moving to Qatar. Tahsin developed through Qatar’s football system and now plays for Al Duhail, a top club in the country.
Recently, he made his senior international debut against Afghanistan during a World Cup qualifier. Indian fans might recall him from Qatar’s qualifying matches against India in Doha. Interestingly, Tahsin holds both an Indian passport and a special Qatari passport, allowing him to represent Qatar internationally. As he gears up for the World Cup, he has a chance to make a significant impact.
### Samuel Moutoussamy (DR Congo)
Samuel Moutoussamy’s journey is particularly intriguing. He was born in France but traces his Indian roots through his father, part of the Indo-Guadeloupean Tamil community. This connection stems from the migration of Indian laborers to the Caribbean in the 19th century, creating a lasting cultural link.
His mother is Congolese, which made him eligible to represent DR Congo. Despite growing up in France, Moutoussamy chose to play for the Leopards. Since his debut in 2019, the 29-year-old has become a crucial midfielder for the team, accumulating 57 caps and offering valuable experience as DR Congo returns to the World Cup.
### Nishan Velupillay (Australia)
Finally, Nishan Velupillay is among Australia’s most promising players heading into the World Cup. Born and raised in Melbourne, he has familial ties to the Indian subcontinent—his father is of Sri Lankan Tamil descent, while his mother has Anglo-Indian heritage.
After developing through local clubs and the Melbourne Victory academy, Velupillay earned his first call-up to represent Australia in 2024. His debut was memorable; he scored just seven minutes after being substituted in a World Cup qualifier against China, helping secure a 3-1 victory. Since then, he has gained seven caps and scored three goals in World Cup qualifiers, leading to his inclusion in Australia’s final squad for the tournament.
Though India may not be present in the World Cup, these players remind us of its rich football heritage and the remarkable stories that connect cultures across the globe.
