Meet Tahsin, Nishan, Indian origin footballers, to play in 2026 FIFA World Cup
India has not qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup but two footballers – Tahsin and Nishan, are making the country proud as the countdown for the football mega event begins
[Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid (L) and Nishan Velupillay]
2026 FIFA World Cup: India has not qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup but two footballers – Tahsin and Nishan, are making the country proud as the countdown for the football mega event begins.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set for a grand inauguration on June 11, 2026. Weeks before the inauguration of the football world cup, two footballers - Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid and Nishan Velupillay are adding to the football fever in India.
And the reason is their country of origin.
Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid and Nishan Velupillay both have their roots in India, and they will be playing the 2026 Football World Cup, though not for India but for the countries they are currently residing in.
Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid
19-year-old Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid is the first footballer of Indian-origin selected in Qatar's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Tahsin’s parents, Jamshid and Shaima, migrated from Kannur, Kerala in 1996 and settled in Doha, Qatar where Tahsin was born on June 16, 2006.
The winger, who is described as quick, direct, and impactful on the wings, came through Qatar's Aspire Academy and plays for Al Duhail Sports Club.
Tahsin, who earlier represented Qatar at senior, U23, U20, and lower youth levels and is regarded as one of the country's promising young talents, made his senior debut for Qatar in the World Cup qualifier against Afghanistan.
Tashin’s father Jamshid currently working as Accountant, is also a footballer and had played for University of Calicut, Kerala.
Nishan Velupillay
Nishan Velupillay (25) has been confirmed in the 26-member Australian squad for the 2026 football world cup.
The Melbourne Victory winger was born on May 7, 2001 in Melbourne, Australia. His father, Sasinath Velupillay, is Malaysian with Sri Lankan Tamil roots, and his mother, Gillian, is Anglo-Indian.
Nishan made his debut for Australia in 2024 and scored on his first appearance in the World Cup qualifier against China. Since then, he has become a regular part of the Australian national football team.
With his selection for the World Cup, Velupillay is set to become the first footballer of Tamil heritage to play at the football world cup.
“A Historic Moment”
Congress leader and MP Shashi Tharoor who posted the brief profile of the two footballers said their inclusion in the Qatar and Australian national teams are proud moment for India too.
“A historic moment for Indian football fans! As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, we will have two players of Indian heritage gracing the global stage”, Tharoor wrote on social media platform X.
“They follow in the footsteps of Vikash Dhorasoo, the elegant and creative midfielder whose forefathers hailed from Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh (migrating to Mauritius and later to France), who played for the French National Team in the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, winning a runners-up medal”, Tharoor further wrote.
The 2026 edition of the World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams and three host countries. The United States will have 11 of the 16 hosts cities at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will also feature matches in Mexico and Canada.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be inaugurated on June 11, 2026 whereas the 2026 Football World Cup Final will be played on July 19, 2026.
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