Kolkata : Indian head coach Khalid Jamil had named 26 probables for the three historic international friendlies against five-time world champions Brazil, two-time world champions Uruguay and FIFA World Cup 2026 participants Panama. Hence, he was hoping for an extra week of training before the international window officially opens on Sept 21. But on the first day of training, 10 key players were missing. As a result, he has been forced to call for an additional cover in defence after only 16 players reported for training on the first day of the camp in Bengaluru.
East Bengal FC are busy with their AFC Champions League Two away clash in Jordan and four of their players would be released only after their return at Kolkata on Friday, Mohun Bagan SG and Bengaluru FC have delayed release of some players, until after their local league and friendly engagements are over.
“The clubs had a meeting with AIFF to send the players on Sept 14th (FIFA window starts on 21st). East Bengal has to play AFC, no problem. But why not all other players are already in the National Team? Only 16 are there. Who is interested to solve the problems in Indian football?” Mumbai City FC coach Manolo Marquez said in a social media post on Tuesday.
The experienced Spaniard is now into his seventh season in India and previously coached the national team.
Bagan have released midfielder Apuia and Abhishek Tekcham Singh for the national camp, while defender Mehtab Singh – summoned by Jamil as additional cover on Tuesday – is expected to join within 24 hours. Anirudh Thapa is nursing an injury and will join his teammates once he recovers. Currently, the Mariners are busy in Calcutta Football League which will end on 19th September as they face Mohammedan SC.
In the past, Bagan and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) have shared bitter moments over player release, rehabilitation during national team camps outside FIFA Window.
Two other players – Sahal Abdul Samad and Manvir Singh – will be released after the Calcutta Football League (CFL) title decider on Sept 19.
“There was only a request from AIFF to release players a week before the window opens. There is no agreement,” said one official.
Bengaluru also said they had made it clear during the online meeting between clubs and AIFF that they would be in a position to release all players only after their friendly against a Super League Kerala (SLK) side on Sept 16.
“Our foreigners came late and this will be the only friendly with the full team before ISL starts next month,” said a senior club official. “We are not holding anyone back. Everything was agreed on the call (with AIFF). This decision was taken about a month ago.”
Goalkeeper and seniormost player, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, reported on the first day of training, but will be involved in the friendly for Bengaluru, alongside Ryan Williams, Ashique Kuruniyan and Ricky Meetei.
India will play Panama on September 25 at Bengaluru’s Kanteerava Stadium, post this, they’ll take on World Champions – Brazil and Uruguay on October 3 and 6 respectively at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata. The delayed release of players by respective teams will only add less room for practice ahead of the historic clashes.
