FIFA World Cup 2026 | Multiple Indian flavour at globe's ultimate showpiece event

In a first-of-its-kind situation, four players of Indian origin will be competing for four different teams in in the quadrennial extravaganza.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will have multiple Indian flavour as four players having roots in the country will make their debut at globe's ultimate showpiece event.

It will mark the first time since the 2006 World Cup held in Germany when Vikash Dhorasoo (who was of Andhra Pradesh origin) turned out for France when an Indian player is featuring in the marquee event.

At the FIFA World Cup 2026 to be co-hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico, for the first time in the history of football, four players of Indian origin -- Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid, Nishan Velupillay, Samuel Moutoussamy and Sarpreet Singh -- will be competing for four different teams.

Taskin Mohammed Jamshid, a product of Qatar's Aspire Academy will be representing Al Annabi after Spaniard Julen Lopetegui named him in the final 26-member squad for the quadrennial extravaganza.

Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid will wear the Al Annabi colours.

The 19-year-old, who hails from Kerala, plies his trade with Qatar Stars League club Al Duhail and has already represented the Qatar U-17 and U-19 teams.

Tahsin is the son of Jamshid, a former Calicut University footballer from Thalassery, and Shaima, who hails from Kannur.

Meanwhile, Australian coach Tony Popovic has named Nishan Velupillay in the Socceroos squad. The Melbourne Victory winger’s father is a Malaysian of Tamil origin, while his mother is an Anglo-Indian.

Another player of Tamil origin is Samuel Moutoussamy, who will be representing the Democratic Republic of Congo. The 29-year-old who plays for Atromitos FC in the Super League Greece, made his debut for Congo in 2019. His mother is Congolese while his father is Indo-Guadeloupean of Tamil origin.

The fourth player of India origin who will feature at the World Cup is Sarpreet Singh, who will represent New Zealand.

The 27-year-old's family hails from Jalandhar. The attacking midfielder, who plays on loan for A-League club Wellington Phoenix, had made his All Whites debut in 2018.

The expanded FIFA World Cup 2026, will have a record 48 teams in the fray with 104 matches to be played in all. Co-hosts Mexico will take on South Africa in the lung opener on June 11 at Mexico Stadium.

The final be held at New Jersey Stadium in New York on July 19.

Indian audience can watch all the action live on Zee Entertainment network.