BENGALURU, August 25, 2025: India head coach Khalid Jamil has officially announced the 23-member squad that will represent the country in the upcoming CAFA Nations Cup 2025, scheduled to be held in Tajikistan. The announcement came on Monday during a press conference at the Press Club of Bangalore, attended by AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, Vice President N A Haris, and Deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan.
The senior men’s team, which has been in a 10-day preparatory camp in Bengaluru, is set to fly out to Hisor, Tajikistan, later in the evening. India’s campaign begins against the hosts Tajikistan on August 29, followed by matches against powerhouses Iran on September 1 and Afghanistan on September 4.
Coach Jamil, overseeing his first major international assignment as head coach, expressed confidence in the balance of the squad, which includes a mix of seasoned campaigners and promising youngsters. He stressed the importance of the tournament as an opportunity to test India’s strength against strong Central Asian opponents in a competitive setting.
India’s 23-Member Squad
Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Hrithik Tiwari.
Defenders: Rahul Bheke, Naorem Roshan Singh, Anwar Ali, Sandesh Jhingan, Chinglensana Singh, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Muhammed Uvais.
Midfielders: Nikhil Prabhu, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Danish Farooq Bhat, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Boris Singh Thangjam, Ashique Kuruniyan, Udanta Singh Kumam, Naorem Mahesh Singh.
Forwards: Irfan Yadwad, Manvir Singh, Jithin MS, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Vikram Partap Singh.
With experienced stalwarts like Sandesh Jhingan and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu anchoring the defense and goalkeeping departments, and dynamic attackers such as Chhangte, Manvir Singh, and Udanta Singh providing firepower up front, the squad promises both stability and attacking flair. The inclusion of youngsters like Irfan Yadwad and Hrithik Tiwari highlights Jamil’s intent to build for the future while maintaining a competitive edge.
The CAFA Nations Cup 2025 marks India’s return to Central Asian competition and will serve as vital preparation ahead of the forthcoming World Cup Qualifiers and AFC Asian Cup commitments.
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