India Announce 23-Member Squad for New Zealand Friendlies

India head coach Khalid Jamil has announced a 23-member squad for the national team’s upcoming International Friendlies against New Zealand, with veteran goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu among the notable omissions. The Blue Tigers will face the All Whites twice during the November FIFA International Match Window, with matches scheduled in Auckland and Christchurch.

The fixtures will take place on November 12 and November 15, respectively, marking India’s return to international action after their challenging September-October window, which included friendlies against Panama, Brazil and Uruguay.

Jamil’s selection includes Bijoy Varghese, Muhammad Suhail and Liston Colaco, who are currently part of India’s ongoing SAFF Championship 2026 squad. The trio will leave the tournament in Dhaka and join the senior team for the trip to New Zealand.

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu left out of India’s squad

One of the biggest talking points from Jamil’s announcement is the absence of experienced goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. The India coach has selected Hrithik Tiwari, Som Kumar and Vishal Kaith as the three goalkeepers for the upcoming fixtures.

The squad also features a combination of defenders, midfielders and forwards as India prepare for two challenging matches away from home. The selection will give Jamil an opportunity to assess his players against an opponent with experience at the highest international level.

India to assemble in Bengaluru before travelling to New Zealand

According to the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the New Zealand-bound squad will assemble in Bengaluru on Saturday, November 7. The players will take part in a training session on Sunday before departing for Auckland later that night.

The AIFF confirmed the team’s travel and preparation schedule in an official release.

Jamil acknowledged the quality of the upcoming opposition and described the two fixtures as an important test for India. He also stressed the need for disciplined performances and effective preparation.

“New Zealand are also a World Cup-playing nation and a strong opponent, and these two matches will be a good test for us away from home. We want to prepare well, play with discipline and use this opportunity to improve as a team,” Khalid said.

India return to action after September-October international window

The friendlies against New Zealand will be India’s first senior international matches since their September-October international window, when they faced Panama, Brazil and Uruguay.

India began that series with a 1-1 draw against Panama in Bengaluru, producing a respectable result against their opponents. However, the team then suffered heavy defeats against two-time and five-time world champions Uruguay and Brazil, respectively, in Kolkata.

Brazil defeated India 4-0, while Uruguay secured a 6-1 victory. Those results highlighted the challenge facing the Blue Tigers as they continue working to improve their performances against stronger international opposition.

New Zealand present a challenging test for the Blue Tigers

New Zealand will provide another demanding examination for Jamil’s team. The All Whites are a World Cup-playing nation and are currently ranked 88th in the FIFA world rankings, while India occupy 138th position.

The difference in rankings reflects the challenge India will face during the two away fixtures. However, the matches will also provide valuable international experience and an opportunity for the coaching staff to assess the squad’s progress.

With the first match scheduled for November 12 in Auckland and the second set for November 15 in Christchurch, India will look to use the international window to build greater consistency and improve as a team.

India’s 23-player squad for New Zealand friendlies

Head coach Khalid Jamil has selected the following 23 players for the two FIFA international friendlies:

Goalkeepers

• Hrithik Tiwari
• Som Kumar
• Vishal Kaith

Defenders

• Abhishek Singh Tekcham
• Akash Mishra
• Bijoy Varghese
• Jay Gupta
• Mehtab Singh
• Pramveer
• Ricky Meetei Haobam
• Roshan Singh Naorem

Midfielders

• Anirudh Thapa
• Ashique Kuruniyan
• Jithin MS
• Lalremtluanga Fanai
• Lalrinliana Hnamte
• Tomba Singh Haobam

Forwards

• David Lalhlansanga
• Edmund Lalrindika
• Liston Colaco
• Manvir Singh
• Muhammad Suhail
• Ryan Williams

India prepare for two important international fixtures

India’s upcoming matches against New Zealand will offer Jamil an opportunity to evaluate his 23-player squad against a higher-ranked opponent. The inclusion of three players from the ongoing SAFF Championship squad also highlights the changes being made to the senior team ahead of the international window.

With Gurpreet Singh Sandhu missing from the selection and several other players receiving an opportunity, attention will be on how the Blue Tigers perform in Auckland and Christchurch. Jamil will be looking for disciplined displays and improvements as India continue their international preparations.