3 Mizoram footballers in India probables team for World Cup qualifiers

India will begin their training camp in the Odisha capital on May 10.

Three footballers from Mizoram–David Lalhlansanga, Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia and Edmund Lalrindika are among the 26 member probables list for the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers to be held in June this year.

The list was announced by India coach Igor Stimac yesterday.

With the goal of finishing as one of the top two teams in Group A, Mohammedan SC’s Indian top scorer 23-year-old forward David Lalhlansanga, Aizawl FC striker 22-year-old Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia, Inter Kashi midfielder 25-year-old Edmund Lalrindika, and Real Kashmir defender Muhammad Ham-mad were called for the four-week camp in Bhubaneswar, which began on Friday.

David Lalhlansanga, who played a vital role in Mohammedan’s stupendous run to I-League title this season, scored five goals with two assists in 22 appearances for the champions this season.

Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia has created history by becoming the highest Indian goal scorer in I-League with 15 goals and broke the record held by his idol Sunil Chhetri and Mohammed Rafi.

Edmund Lalrindika had a strong season for debutante Inter Kashi, scoring 4 goals and providing 8 assists.

The first list of 26 probables: Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

Defenders: Amey Ganesh Ranawade, Nikhil Poojary, Roshan Singh Naorem, Jay Gupta, Lalchungnunga, Muhammad Hammad and Narender.

Midfielders: Edmund Lalrindika, Imran Khan, Isak Vanlalruatfela,Brandon Fernandes, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Mohammad Yasir, Vibin Mohanan, Nandhakumar Sekar, Rahul K P and Suresh Singh Wangjam.

Forwards: David Lalhlansanga, Jithin M S, Lalrinzuala, Parthib Sundar Gogoi, Rahim Ali, Sunil Chhetri.

India will begin their training camp in the Odisha capital on May 10.

In their final two Group A matches, the Blue Tigers will face Kuwait in Kolkata on June 6, followed by Qatar in Doha on June 11.

India is presently ranked second in the group, with 4 points after four matches.

The top two teams in the group will advance to Round 3 of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and secure a spot in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.

COMMENTS