The 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to take place in North America, will showcase four footballers of Indian origin, marking a significant representation on the global stage. The players include Sarpreet Singh from New Zealand, Samuel Moutoussamy from the DR Congo, Nishan Velupillay from Australia, and Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid, who will represent Qatar.

Indian Heritage on Display

While India continues to seek its first appearance in the FIFA World Cup, the inclusion of these four players highlights a unique connection to Indian heritage in this prestigious tournament. Their participation comes two decades after Vikash Dhorasoo, a former France midfielder with roots in Andhra Pradesh, played in the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Spotlight on Sarpreet Singh

Sarpreet Singh stands out as the most recognized among the quartet. Born in Auckland to Punjabi parents, Singh has previously faced Indian teams, notably during the 2018 Intercontinental Cup in Mumbai. He made headlines in 2019 by becoming the first player of Indian descent to play in Germany's Bundesliga, debuting for Bayern Munich after moving from Wellington Phoenix. Under coach Hansi Flick, he progressed from Bayern's reserve team to the first team and was part of the squad that won the Bundesliga title in the 2019-20 season.

At 27 years old, Singh has also played in Portugal and Serbia before returning to Wellington Phoenix on loan this year. Despite facing an injury earlier in the season, he made a successful recovery to secure his place in New Zealand's final World Cup squad. With 24 senior caps for New Zealand and experience in two FIFA Under-20 World Cups, Singh is poised to make an impact in the upcoming tournament.