Mariners on National Duty | India vs Kuwait | FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers | June'2024

Indian National Football Team Head Coach, Igor Stimac has announced a list of 27 players for the upcoming clash against Kuwait at the Saltlake Stadium, Kolkata, on 6th June 2026. Let's have a look at all the mariners who got selected in the final Squad.

Vishal Kaith :

Vishal Kaith has been equally able if not became better in the 23/24 as he was in the 22/23 one. The Flying Kaith (kite) as he is fondly known made impossible saves possible, saving the Mariners at crucial moments for the last 2 years. Current first choice India National Team Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu struggled at the AFC Asian Cup and the games against Afghanistan, and many supporters called for giving Kaith his much-deserved opportunity. This time, it appears plausible because Igor Stimac's team is expected to have the league's best goalkeeper, and many would be shocked if Vishal isn't given the starting nod.

Anwar Ali :

Anwar had a difficult season at Bagan due to a long injury which didn’t let him take part in the Asian Cup. He made a steady comeback and was a dependable figure against Afghanistan. As they say, form is temporary, class is permanent. Him rejoining the Mariners in the second half of the season was crucial in his club’s journey to the Shield. He makes it look quite easy, the way he escapes opposition attacker’s press and manages to find a free man effortlessly in buildup.

Subhasish Bose :

In ISL, Captain Bose was a key member in the buildup for both the Coach Juan Ferrando and Antonio Lopez Habas. Bose had the most number of touches amongst any Mohun Bagan player (1705), and second best in the side in the numbers of interceptions (34), & surprisingly, our Captain also tops the list with most number of passes too in the squad with 935 successful passes to his name. Also, as a cherry in the cake, Subhasish Bose scored an wonderful goal against NEUFC to get crucial 3 points for our League Shield Winning Campaign. Subhasish Bose is arguably the best this country has right now. There is no one better as a LCB and LB at this moment in India, and, with the success he has given this season, Bose is set to stay as a mainstay in the squad.

Anirudh Thapa :

Anirudh Thap had a sublime start to this season, gliding throughout the deep midfield. He had an injury and soon lost his place and seemed out of touch. However he is a seasoned campaigner even at 25. And just when the opportunity arrived, he pounced on it. Antonio Habas launched him at his preferred role in the Central Mid, and although he has considerably lost pace, his sudden accelerations, perfectly executed presses and distributive prowess are more than enough of a threat for the Kuwaitis and Qataris.

Sahal Abdul Samad :

Sahal wasn’t fit neither in the Asian Cup nor against Afghanistan. After joining Bagan, he finally got to play his preferred role of the creative attacking mid. And he took the league by storm with his immaculate control, balance, agility and flair. He got the guidance of Hugo Boumous, one of the ISL greatest in that position, and played alongside him in the first half of the season and then by himself in a rotational basis in the second half. He was sorely missed against the difficult games against Afghanistan. He is expected to get his rightful place now in the National eleven.

Manvir Singh :

Manvir Singh has worked really hard as a Right Wing back this season; running up and down the wings, for 90 minutes straight and creating a goal or assist out of nowhere. Currently India won only one game in the World Cup qualifier, and Manvir scored the all important goal in that game against Kuwait. He was a bit wasteful against Afghanistan thus there remains a possibility to be bench in the upcoming matches. However, in his day, he can become quite lethal in front of the goal along with his good ball holding ability and is a contender for the strikers position given the retirement of Sunil Chhetri after the game against Kuwait.

Liston Colaco :

In the Kolkata Derby, Liston scored one goal and won one penalty. Against Blasters, Liston was available for just 10 minutes and, he delivered again, as his ball found Cummings in the box who scored. He absolutely violated the Mumbai defense in the crucial Shield defender. His game has matured a lot, he now better knows when to pass and when to shoot. With his absolute stunning free kicks and blistering pace, Liston will surely serve not only as an able starter but also a vicious weapon late game when the opposition defenders are tired.

Here's our full list of India's 27-member squad for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Kuwait.

Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Vishal Kaith.

Defenders: Amey Ranawade, Anwar Ali, Jay Gupta, Lalchungnunga, Mehtab Singh, Narender, Nikhil Poojary, Rahul Bheke, Subhasish Bose.

Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Edmund Lalrindika, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Liston Colaco, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Nandhakumar Sekar, Sahal Abdul Samad, Suresh Singh Wangjam.

Forwards: David Lalhlansanga, Manvir Singh, Rahim Ali, Sunil Chhetri, Vikram Partap Singh.

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