The squad announcement also marks the return of East Bengal's dependable central defender Anwar Ali, who had been sidelined since February due to a hamstring injury. He last featured in competitive action against Bengaluru FC in the ISL.
Newly appointed India head coach Khalid Jamil on Sunday cleared the air about the leaving out of talismanic striker Sunil Chhetri from the CAFA Nations Cup national camp, saying it was just a preparatory tournament for the crucial Asian Cup qualifying round matches in October.
Sunil Chhetri returns to the national team,
CAFA Nations Cup: Gurpreet, defenders earn India win over Tajikistan
Xavi, it is learnt, "sent an email from his own account" to apply for the post.
Three shortlisted for Indian football team's coach role; Constantine, Jamil in the mix
'You're paying Rs 42 lakh for one game. Why not link it to qualification? It just shows how clueless the management is.'
Marquez also confirmed Chhetri's involvement in the friendly match that will mark his 152nd cap for India.
Sunil Chhetri's return from international retirement at 40 highlights the lack of quality strikers in Indian football.
FC Goa on Wednesday secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Hyderabad FC in their Indian Super League (ISL) match
FC Goa has won the Super Cup title for the second time, defeating Jamshedpur FC 3-0 in the final. Borja Herrera scored a brace, while Dejan Drazic added another goal for the Goan club, who also secured a spot in the preliminary round of the AFC Champions League.
National coach Manolo Marquez coached FC Goa handed Bengaluru FC a comprehensive 3-0 defeat in an Indian Super League match in Goa on Saturday.
The match against India on Tuesday, will be his first outing in a Bangladesh jersey.
'I'm looking at it as a chance to play international football, to represent India, and to hopefully inspire other players with a similar background to me, to show them that they can come to India and do the same thing.'
India and Bangladesh played out a goalless draw in their 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifying round match in Shillong on Tuesday.
Kalinga Super Cup: FC Goa to face Jamshedpur FC in final
Chennaiyin FC rode on super sub Chima Chukwu's late strike to come from behind and hold FC Goa to an exciting 2-2 draw.
India head coach Manolo Marquez expressed his disappointment and anger following the 0-0 draw against Bangladesh in the AFC Asian Cup qualifying round match, stating that his team has taken- two or three steps back, since his first match in charge last year.
'Marquez is trying to instil his philosophy, and that's going to take time. In every camp, we're getting closer to what he wants from us as a team. With time, training, and the level of coaching he has, I have no doubt we'll be a strong team in the qualifiers.'
India was on Sunday drawn in a tricky group along with Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Singapore for the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers final round matches, beginning March 25 next year.
The Gaurs looked to set the tone of this game from the onset, with Boris Singh hammering a shot from distance way too high to the target in the seventh minute.
The Gaurs were relentless in their attack post the 30-minute mark and their persistence eventually bore fruit when Sahil Tavora found Boris on the right flank with acres of space.
The Indian senior men's team have begun their preparations for the upcoming friendly match against Vietnam, and head coach Manolo Mrquez believes his wards are in better physical shape now than in the September window.
Spanish striker Iker Guarrotxena scored a brace as FC Goa defeated Mumbai City FC 3-1 in the Indian Super League, ending a 13-game winless streak against the Islanders.
The AIFF sacked Stimac in June, terminating his contract exactly a year before it was to expire in the wake of the side's ouster from the second round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers despite getting a relatively easy draw.
Marquez had only two training sessions with the team before naming a 26-member squad featuring new and returning players as India adapts to life after Sunil Chhetri's retirement.
Brison Fernandes bagged his second successive brace as visitors FC Goa notched a 4-2 victory over Odisha FC.
FC Goa secured a 2-1 victory over Odisha FC in the Indian Super League, climbing to second place in the standings.
Anwar was handed a four-month ban by All India Football Federation (AIFF) in early September with the governing body holding the player "guilty" of terminating his contract with Mohun Bagan in an unjust manner and signing a new deal with East Bengal, having returned to his parent club Delhi FC.
East Bengal look to revive fortunes in derby
Brison brace stretches FC Goa's unbeaten streak to seven games after 2-1 win against Mohun Bagan
'If you are going to bypass the technical committee in the head coach appointment, why are we here?'
India had won the title in 2018 and 2023, while it was the first trophy for Syria who had finished third in 2019.
'If I'm too nice, it doesn't help in that position.' 'My position almost asks me to be aggressive and not very nice.'
Mumbai City FC grabbed their maiden victory of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season with a closely-fought 2-1 win against FC Goa in Margao on Saturday.
Images from Indian Super League matches played on Saturday.
East Bengal's winless streak got extended after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Hyderabad FC in an Indian Super League match, in Bambolim, Goa, on Thursday. The draw enabled the Nizams to rise to second place on the points table and extend their unbeaten run to six matches.
VP Suhair and Patrick Flottmann scored to give NorthEast the win.
Odisha were not doing enough to test Laxmikant Kattimani in Hyderabad goal before Jerry scored against the run of play, turning in a Nandhakumar Sekar low cross at the front post past Kattimani.
ATKMB looked the likelier of the two teams to take the lead in the opening exchanges, with the Mariners needing two goals at least to make a comeback.
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