Indian football team head coach Khalid Jamil has announced a 23-member travelling squad ahead of the crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against Singapore.

Singapore will host India at the National Stadium in Singapore on October 9, with the match scheduled to kick off at 17:00 IST.

The Blue Tigers have been training in Bengaluru since September 20 as part of their preparations for the double-header against Singapore, with the home leg slated to be held on October 14 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa. The match will kick off at 19:30 IST.

India are currently at the bottom of Group C with one point from two matches, while Singapore sit at the top of the group, having collected four points from as many games. The upcoming two games are of utmost importance, as the team that finishes top of the group will qualify for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.

Read: Chhangte, Gurpreet determined to revive India's Asian Cup qualification bid

On the eve of the team’s departure, Jamil highlighted the importance of taking the remaining qualifiers one game at a time.

“We are not looking at the overall picture at the moment. There are still four matches to go, and the next one against Singapore is the most important for us right now,” he said. “We cannot look too far ahead – we must go one step at a time.”

Jamil has kept two players, FC Goa goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari and Punjab FC forward Muhammad Suhail, on standby.

“Though we are travelling with 23 players, we are constantly monitoring the rest. For now, Hrithik and Suhail have been kept on standby for the two matches against Singapore,” said Jamil.

India’s 23-member travelling squad to Singapore:

Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Gurmeet Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

Defenders: Anwar Ali, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Muhammed Uvais, Pramveer, Rahul Bheke, Sandesh Jhingan.

Midfielders: Brandon Fernandes, Danish Farooq Bhat, Deepak Tangri, Macarton Louis Nickson, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Nikhil Prabhu, Sahal Abdul Samad, Udanta Singh Kumam.

Forwards: Farukh Choudhary, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Liston Colaco, Rahim Ali, Sunil Chhetri, Vikram Partap Singh.

Head Coach: Khalid Jamil
Assistant Coach: Mahesh Gawali
Goalkeeping Coach: Feroz Sherif
Strength and Conditioning Coach: Chelston Pinto