Sahal in second list of probables for World Cup qualifiers

New Delhi: Keralite Sahal Abdul Samad found a place as Indian senior men's team head coach Igor Stimac on Tuesday announced his second list of 15 probables for the Bhubaneswar camp ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 preliminary joint qualification round 2 matches against Kuwait and Qatar.

The first list of probables announced on Saturday featured three Keralites - Rahul K P, Vibin Mohanan and Jithin M S.

Injured central defender Sandesh Jhingan missed out. 

The 26 players from the first list will begin training in the Odisha capital on May 10. The 15 players from the second list, comprising players from Mumbai City FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant, who contested the ISL Cup final, will join the camp on May 15.

A total of 41 players will take part in the national camp. The Blue Tigers will face Kuwait in Kolkata on June 6 before travelling away to take on Qatar on June 11 in their last two matches of Group A.

India are currently placed second in the group, with four points from four matches. The top two teams in the group will qualify for Round 3 of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and book their berth at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.

Second list of probables (training from May 15):  Goalkeepers: Phurba Tempa Lachenpa, Vishal Kaith.

Defenders: Akash Mishra, Anwar Ali, Mehtab Singh, Rahul Bheke, Subhasish Bose.

Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Deepak Tangri, Lalengmawia Ralte, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Liston Colaco, Sahal Abdul Samad.

Forwards: Manvir Singh, Vikram Partap Singh.

First list of probables (training from May 10): Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

Defenders: Amey Ganesh Ranawade, Jay Gupta, Lalchungnunga, Muhammad Hammad, Narender, Nikhil Poojary, Roshan Singh Naorem.

Midfielders: Brandon Fernandes, Edmund Lalrindika, Imran Khan, Isak Vanlalruatfela, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Mohammad Yasir, Nandhakumar Sekar, Rahul K P , Suresh Singh Wangjam, Vibin Mohanan.

Forwards: David Lalhlansanga, Jithin M S, Lalrinzuala, Parthib Sundar Gogoi, Rahim Ali, Sunil Chhetri. 

(With inputs from PTI)