Although India has yet to secure a place in the FIFA World Cup, the 2026 tournament will feature a notable Indian connection through four players of Indian heritage representing different national teams. Their participation reflects the growing global influence of the Indian diaspora and highlights how athletes with Indian roots are making their mark in international football.
The four players set to appear at the tournament are New Zealand midfielder Sarpreet Singh, DR Congo midfielder Samuel Moutoussamy, Australia winger Nishan Velupillay, and Qatar forward Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid. Together, they will carry elements of Indian heritage onto one of the world’s biggest sporting platforms.
Sarpreet Singh is among the most recognized names in the group. Born in New Zealand to Punjabi parents, he has enjoyed a successful professional career and made history as the first player of Indian descent to appear in Germany’s Bundesliga when he debuted for Bayern Munich. Over the years, Singh has represented New Zealand at multiple international levels and remains an important figure in the national setup heading into the World Cup.
Samuel Moutoussamy’s background reflects a blend of cultures and continents. Born in France, he represents DR Congo internationally. His father’s ancestry traces back to Indian communities that migrated to the Caribbean generations ago. A seasoned midfielder, Moutoussamy has built a strong reputation through club football in France, Turkey, and Greece while becoming a regular presence for the Congolese national team.
Australia’s Nishan Velupillay has emerged as one of the country’s promising attacking talents. Raised in Melbourne, he comes from a multicultural family that includes Indian heritage through his mother. Since making his international debut, he has steadily earned a place in Australia’s national squad and contributed significantly during the qualification campaign.
The youngest Indian-origin player at the tournament will be Qatar’s Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid. Born in Doha to parents from Kerala, he developed through Qatar’s elite football development system before breaking into professional football. His rise has made him one of the few players of Indian heritage to reach the highest levels of Qatari football.
The tournament will also feature another connection to Indian football through Haiti striker Duckens Nazon, who previously played in the Indian Super League. While not of Indian origin, his past association with Indian football adds another layer of interest for fans following the competition.
The presence of these players underscores the expanding global footprint of the Indian diaspora and demonstrates how Indian heritage continues to be represented across the international sporting landscape.
