Indian football team players.
NEW DELHI: Indian senior men’s football team head coach Khalid Jamil on Thursday announced a 28-member preliminary squad for the upcoming Unity Cup 2026, highlighted by the return of Mohun Bagan midfielder Anirudh Thapa. The Blue Tigers will gather in Bengaluru for a short training camp following the conclusion of the 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) season. The head coach will evaluate the players during this camp before finalizing a 23-member roster to board the flight to London on May 24. Jamil emphasized that testing the team against higher-ranked opponents provides crucial exposure. “We need to take advantage of all available FIFA international windows to prepare for the tournaments ahead,” said the coach, referring to the SAFF Championship later this year.What is the Unity Cup? The Unity Cup is a premier international soccer tournament celebrating Afrocentric and global diaspora communities. First staged in 2002 at Loftus Road, home of Queens Park Rangers (QPR) and subsequently held at The Valley in 2004, the tournament was revived in 2025 in Brentford after an extended hiatus. Following the huge success of the 2025 edition, the 2026 edition marks a sentimental return to its historic home, The Valley, Charlton Athletic FC’s home ground in south London, taking place from 26 to 30 May.The four-nation knockout event features defending champions Nigeria, Jamaica, Zimbabwe and India. This participation has immense historical significance for the Blue Tigers as it marks their return to the UK for international matches after a 24-year hiatus.Currently ranked 136 in the world, India faces a daunting challenge against 71st-ranked Jamaica in the second semi-final on May 27 at midnight (May 28 IST). Meanwhile, tournament heavyweights Nigeria (ranked 26) will face Zimbabwe (ranked 130) in the first semi-final on May 26. The winners will advance to the final on May 30, while the losers will play in the third-place playoff that same day.India’s 28-member preliminary squad for Unity Cup 2026:Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Vishal Kaith, Hrithik Tiwari, Albino Gomes.Defenders: Rahul Bheke, Nikhil Poojary, Roshan Singh Naorem, Abhishek Singh Tekcham, Anwar Ali, Sandesh Jhingan, Akash Mishra, Bijoy Varghese, Pramveer.Midfielders: Ashique Kuruniyan, Lalengmawia Ralte, Sahal Abdul Samad, Anirudh Thapa, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Noufal PN, Ricky Shabong.Forwards: Ryan Williams, Manvir Singh, Liston Colaco, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, Edmund Lalrindika, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Rahim Ali, Farukh Choudhary.