FIFA World Cup 2026: Four Indian-Origin Players To Participate In Tournament; One Holds Indian Passport
Although the Indian football team will not be part of the FIFA World Cup, Indian-origin players will take part in the global showpiece.
Published : June 3, 2026 at 3:01 PM IST
Hyderabad: Indian fans are going through a long wait for the national team they support to take part in the football World Cup. FIFA has recently extended the tournament from 32 to 48 participants, and they are divided into 12 groups. Although the Indian football team is not part of the tournament, the country can have a presence via an indirect route. A total of four Indian-origin players will take part in the marquee tournament, which will start on June 11.
India famously qualified for the 1950 edition, but the All India Football Federation pulled the team out before the start of the tournament commenced.
The Indian fans will have something to cheer for in the tournament as these players will take the field for their respective countries in the World Cup but will showcase Indian heritage at the same time. From New Zealand to Australia to Qatar to DR Congo
Sarpreet Singh (New Zealand)
New Zealand will take to the field to play in the FIFA World Cup 2026. This team will also include Sarpreet Singh, who has connections with Punjab, India. The 27-year-old Sarpreet Singh was born in Auckland, New Zealand, but his parents are of Punjabi origin. He plays for the New Zealand team as an attacking midfielder. He has played 26 matches for the team, managing to score 3 goals and has 7 assists to his name.
Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid (Qatar)
The 19-year-old is born in Doha to parents from Kannur, Kerala. The 19-year-old winger has developed through the Aspire Academy and features for Al Duhail in the Qatari league. Notably, he is the first Indian passport holder to play in the FIFA World Cup. He holds both the Indian passport and a special Qatari mission passport.
Tahsin was born in Doha to parents from Kerala. He used his Indian passport for his youth career. However, his Qatari mission passport allows foreign-born athletes to compete for Qatar.
Jamshid is from Thalassery, while his wife Shaima hails from Valapattanam in Kannur district.
Nishan Velupillay (Australia)
A winger who plays for Melbourne Victory was born and raised in Melbourne. His
father, Sasinath Velupillay, is of Sri Lankan Tamil descent, with Malaysian roots, while his mother, Gillian, is Anglo-Indian. He grew up in Melbourne and attended Mazenod College in Mulgrave. He began his youth journey at Glen Eira FC and now plays for the senior team in the A-League.
A historic moment for Indian football fans! As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, we will have two players of Indian heritage gracing the global stage. 🌏⚽
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 2, 2026
19-year-old winger Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid makes history as the first player of Indian origin selected for the Qatar…
He has played seven matches for Australia, scoring three goals from them.
Samuel Moutoussamy (DR Congo)
Samuel Mutusamy has been included in the DR Congo national football team for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The 29-year-old midfielder was born in Paris, France. His mother is from Congo and his father is of Tamil descent. He becomes the fourth Indian-origin player to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026. Samuel is originally from Tamil Nadu, India. He plays as a key central midfielder for the Congo national team.
