New Delhi, Aug 25 (IANS): Head coach Khalid Jamil has named a 23-member Indian squad for the upcoming CAFA Nations Cup 2025, with star goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu making his return to the national team setup.
India will compete in the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) Nations Cup for the first time, stepping in after Malaysia withdrew due to logistical issues and player unavailability. Group B matches will be held in Dushanbe, where India face hosts Tajikistan on August 29, Iran on September 1, and Afghanistan on September 4.
The top two teams from each group will move into the play-off stage on September 8. The group runners-up will contest the third-place playoff in Dushanbe, while the group winners will meet in the final in Tashkent.
CAFA consists of six members — Afghanistan, Iran, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. India and Oman have been invited to participate in this second edition. Iran are the defending champions, having defeated Uzbekistan 1-0 in the 2023 final.
India’s 23-man squad for CAFA Nations Cup 2025:
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Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Hrithik Tiwari
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Defenders: Rahul Bheke, Naorem Roshan Singh, Anwar Ali, Sandesh Jhingan, Chinglensana Singh, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Muhammed Uvais
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Midfielders: Nikhil Prabhu, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Danish Farooq Bhat, Jeakson Singh, Boris Singh, Ashique Kuruniyan, Udanta Singh, Naorem Mahesh Singh
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Forwards: Irfan Yadwad, Manvir Singh (Jr.), Jithin MS, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Vikram Partap Singh
Head coach: Khalid Jamil
