The All India Football Federation on Friday urged clubs to release players for Khalid Jamil’s first national camp as coach in Bengaluru which started on August 15 and will go on till August 25. This camp is being organized for the Indian team’s maiden participation in the CAFA Nations Cup where the Blue Tigers will face the likes of Tajikistan, Iran and Afghanistan. It’ll also prepare the squad for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers against Singapore.
“The Indian Senior Men’s National Team, began camp from 15 to 25 August, 2025 in Bengaluru for their maiden participation in the CAFA Nations Cup. The AIFF appreciates cooperation of Jamshedpur FC for releasing Khalid Jamil despite an ongoing tournament – a gesture of National Interest,” the football body said in a statement.
“The AIFF urges all Clubs to release National Team players for this crucial assignment, which also prepares the squad for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers against Singapore (away & home),” it added.
🚨 AIFF Statement on the Indian senior and U23 men’s team camps in Bengaluru.#IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/UITZ6YIhjW
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) August 15, 2025
Seven players from Mohun Bagan, three from East Bengal, two from Jamshedpur FC and one from North East FC are currently part of the quarter-finals of the Durand Cup. Mohun Bagan’s match against East Bengal will be held on Sunday and the losing team is expected to release its players for the camp, while Jamshedpur FC and North East FC too offer a similar scenario.
In case Mohun Bagan goes the distance, then seven of their players will be playing the final on August 23 and hence they won’t be available before the last day of the camp.
AIFF also asked clubs to release players for India U-23 men’s team as well with their camp already underway since August 1.
“The India U23 Men’s National Team also began their camp in Bengaluru on August 1, 2025, which is vital for their preparation for the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers that will take place from September 3 to 9 in Qatar,” the statement read.
“The U23 India is scheduled to travel to Kuala Lumpur on 23rd August to play two friendly matches against U23 Iraq National Team. The AIFF requests cooperation from all stakeholders to ensure full player participation but the following 10 players have not yet reported to the U23 Men’s National Team camp,” it added.
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The India footballing body also released the names of the players yet to turn up for the senior men’s and U-23 camps.
The senior men’s team players yet to join camp were Mohun Bagan SG’s Anirudh Thapa, Deepak Tangri, Lalengmawia, Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh, Sahal Abdul Samad and Vishal Kaith, East Bengal’s Anwar Ali, Jeakson Singh and Mahesh Singh Naorem and Manvir Singh and Albino Gomes from Jamshedpur FC as well as Jithin MS from NorthEast United FC.
In the U-23 list, the players who haven’t joined are Jamshedpur FC’s Mohammed Sanan K, Nikhil Barla, Mohun Bagan SG’ Dippendu Biswas: Suhail Ahmad Bhat, Priyansh Dubey, Tekcham Abhishek Singh and North East United’s Macarton Louis Nickson, Parthib Sundar Gogoi, Huidrom Thoi Singh, Dipesh Chauhan
(With agency inputs)
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