Shillong, Oct 31: Meghalaya has two faces in the Indian squad that will take part in next month’s SAFF Championship 2026 – Ronney Kharbudon and Ricky John Shabong (pictured left and right).
Defending champions India will compete with a 28-member squad in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from 5th to 17th November.
Naushad Moosa, who is the head coach of the India U-23 men’s team, will lead the Blue Tigers in the tournament. Bibiano Fernandes, who recently coached the India U-15 men’s team at the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival Azerbaijan 2026, will serve as assistant coach.
India are placed in Group B alongside Maldives and Pakistan. The Blue Tigers will begin their campaign against Pakistan on 5th November at 3PM India time before taking on Maldives on 11th November at the same time. Hosts Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan are placed in Group A.
While 18 players will travel to Dhaka from Kolkata on 3rd November, the remaining 10 will join the group over the subsequent days.
India, who won the previous edition in 2023 after defeating Kuwait in the final in Bengaluru, will be aiming for a record-extending 10th SAFF Championship title.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, scheduled for 14th November. The final will be played on 17th November. All matches will be played at the National Stadium in Dhaka.
AIFF Deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan said, “We would like to thank all the clubs for their cooperation and support in releasing their players for the SAFF Championship. We appreciate their understanding in allowing the players to represent the country.”
India squad:
Goalkeepers: Arsh Anwer Shaikh, Mohanraj K, Priyansh Dubey
Defenders: Abdul Rabeeh, Bijoy Varghese, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Khaiminthang Lhungdim, Muhammed Uvais, Nathan Rodrigues, Ronney Kharbudon, Sandip Mandi
Midfielders: Abhishek Suryavanshi, Adison Singh Thokchom, Brison Fernandes, Ebindas Yesudasan, Farukh Choudhary, Macarton Nickson, Manglenthang Kipgen, Nikhil Prabhu, Noufal PN, Ricky John Shabong, Suresh Singh Wangjam
Forwards: Irfan Yadwad, Liston Colaco, Muhammad Suhail, Vishnu PV, Suhail Ahmad Bhat.
Support staff: Naushad Moosa (head coach), Bibiano Fernandes (assistant coach), Parshuram Salwadi (goalkeeping coach), Saifulla (strength and conditioning coach)
(File photos)
