Jamil plays down Bagan players’ non-availability

Newly appointed Indian football team head coach Khalid Jamil has a tough task at hand. Jamil takes charge with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and FSDL at loggerheads, resulting in the Indian Super League (ISL) being put on hold.

For his first assignment – the 2025 CAFA Nations Cup – Jamil will also have to make do without players from Mohun Bagan, which has refused to release its players for international duty. Slotted in Group ‘B’, India faces Tajikistan (August 29), Iran (September 1) and Afghanistan (September 4) at Hisar (Tajikistan).

Jamil put on a brave face at a press conference here on Monday, when asked if Bagan players will be missed. “We will adjust with the players we have. We have to accept this as a challenge. I don’t feel there is any difficulty; we have good players in the squad,” Jamil said.

The press conference was also attended by AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey and AIFF Vice-President N.A. Haris.

Haris explained that the AIFF and clubs must strive to arrive at a “mutual understanding” when it comes to releasing players for India duty.

Sunil Chhetri was not named in the squad for the CAFA Nations Cup, but Jamil stated that the door is open for the star’s return. “After these matches, Sunil will mostly be available for India duty. I have spoken to him. If he is fit, he is most welcome,” Jamil said.

Chaubey, meanwhile, admitted that the ISL’s suspension has affected the livelihood of all stakeholders. “The current situation has had a direct affect on the livelihood of footballers. It is not just players, but there are also thousands of support staff whose profession is related to football. The AIFF is in continuous communication with all stakeholders to ensure that livelihood must not be affected. We will all come together to find a solution,” Chaubey said.

After the CAFA Nations Cup, India will play two AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifying matches against Singapore in the October FIFA window. Haris expressed his disappointment over Bengaluru losing out on hosting these outings. “The Sree Kanteerava Stadium is used for all sports, including athletics. When a football match is scheduled, we need time to keep the stadium in good condition. These matches were suddenly allotted to us. We are very sad that the matches are going somewhere else, but it is not in our control,” Haris, the Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA) President, stated.

Haris added that the KSFA will soon “have a very good stadium coming up in Bengaluru.”

India squad for 2025 CAFA Nations Cup: 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, Thounaojam Jeakson Singh, Boris Singh Thangjam, Ashique Kuruniyan, Udanta Singh Kumam, Naorem Mahesh Singh.

Forwards: Irfan Yadwad, Manvir Singh (Jr), M.S. Jithin, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Vikram Pratap Singh.