03 June,2026 04:56 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Sarpreet Singh and Nishan Velupillay (Pics: X)
While qualifying for the FIFA World Cup remains an unfulfilled dream for India, the upcoming 23rd edition in the Americas, kicking off on June 11, will showcase four players of Indian heritage. The quartet, Sarpreet Singh, Samuel Moutoussamy, Nishan Velupillay, and Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid, follow in the historic footsteps of French midfielder Vikash Dhorasoo, who featured in the 2006 World Cup.
Dhorasoo's forefathers had their roots in Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh. Here's a closer look at the latest entrants in that list.
Sarpreet Singh (New Zealand)
Born in Auckland to Punjabi parents, the 27-year-old attacking midfielder made history in 2019 as the first player of Indian descent to play in the Bundesliga, debuting for Bayern Munich under Hansi Flick. He won a league title there before moving to clubs in Portugal and Serbia. Now back with Wellington Phoenix on loan from FK TSC, Sarpreet overcame a February injury to seal his spot in the All Whites' 26-man roster. He has 24 international caps and three goals.
Samuel Moutoussamy (DR Congo)
Born in France to a Congolese mother and an Indo-Guadeloupean father of Tamil ancestry, the 29-year-old midfielder benefits from FIFA's ancestral eligibility rules. Moutoussamy currently plies his trade for Greek Super League side Atromitos. A seasoned international, he has earned 57 caps for DR Congo since his 2019 debut, having previously played for FC Nantes and Sivasspor.
Nishan Velupillay (Australia)
Born in Melbourne to an Anglo-Indian mother and a Malaysian father of Sri Lankan Tamil descent, the 25-year-old winger is one of 17 players in the Socceroos' 26-member squad who will be making their FIFA World Cup debut. Nishan made a dream international debut in October 2024, scoring against China in a qualifier. He has since collected eight caps and scored three times.
Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid (Qatar)
Tahsin, who turns 20 on June 16, was born in Doha to Malayali parents, who moved to Qatar from Kannur in 2006. Coached early on by his father, a former university athlete, Tahsin developed at the Aspire Academy and became the first Indian-origin player in the Qatar Stars League. He made his senior international debut in 2024 against Afghanistan.
(With PTI inputs)
