While the Indian men's national football team continues its quest for a debut appearance at the FIFA World Cup, the upcoming 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico will nonetheless feature a significant Indian connection. Four talented players with Indian roots are set to represent their respective nations on football's grandest stage, embodying the global reach of the Indian diaspora in sports.
These athletes, whose heritage spans generations and continents, offer Indian football enthusiasts a unique reason to follow the World Cup closely, even without their home team's participation. Their stories reflect diverse journeys from Punjabi families in New Zealand to Keralite migrants in Qatar, and descendants of Indian communities in the Caribbean and Australia.
Sarpreet Singh (New Zealand)
Perhaps the most recognized name among Indian football fans, Sarpreet Singh will don the New Zealand jersey. Born in Auckland, Singh's family originates from Jalandhar, Punjab. The 27-year-old attacking midfielder has openly embraced his Punjabi heritage, often speaking about his strong familial ties.
Singh previously represented New Zealand in the FIFA U-20 World Cups in 2017 and 2019 before making his senior team debut. In 2019, he garnered international attention with a high-profile move from Wellington Phoenix to German giants Bayern Munich. Although much of his time at Bayern was spent on loan, the transfer significantly boosted his profile. He currently plays for Serbian club TSC and has earned 24 caps for New Zealand since 2018.
Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid (Qatar)
At just 19 years old, Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid is poised to be one of the youngest players of Indian descent at the tournament. Born in Qatar, Tahsin's parents hail from Kerala. His father, Jamshid, had a footballing background himself, playing for the University of Calicut and Kerala's sub-junior team before relocating to the Gulf nation. His mother, Shyma, is from Kannur.
Tahsin developed through Qatar's robust football system and currently plays for Al Duhail. He earned his senior international debut for Qatar in a World Cup qualifier against Afghanistan in 2024. Reports suggest that Tahsin maintains an Indian passport while also holding a special Qatari mission passport, enabling him to represent Qatar internationally.
Samuel Moutoussamy (DR Congo)
Samuel Moutoussamy's Indian heritage traces back multiple generations. Born in France, the 29-year-old midfielder's father belongs to the Indo-Guadeloupean community, which has Tamil origins. This community was formed by Indian indentured laborers who migrated to the Caribbean in the 19th century. With a Congolese mother, Moutoussamy chose to represent DR Congo on the international stage.
Since his debut in 2019, Moutoussamy has established himself as a pivotal and reliable midfielder for DR Congo, accumulating 57 international caps. He is expected to play a crucial role for his team at the World Cup.
Nishan Velupillay (Australia)
Australia will feature Nishan Velupillay, a rising attacking talent, in their squad. Born and raised in Melbourne, Velupillay's father, Sasinath Velupillay, has Sri Lankan Tamil heritage, while his mother, Gillian Velupillay, is Anglo-Indian.
The Melbourne Victory winger received his first call-up to the Australian national team, the Socceroos, in 2024 under coach Tony Popovic. He made an immediate impact, scoring a goal just seven minutes into his debut against China in a World Cup qualifier. The 25-year-old has since earned seven caps and scored three goals, all in World Cup qualifying matches, securing his place in Australia's 26-man squad for the tournament.
As the FIFA World Cup 2026 approaches, these four players will carry a piece of their Indian connection onto the world's biggest footballing stage, providing a compelling narrative for fans worldwide.