Panaji: India coach Khalid Jamil has been left with a rickety squad of just 18 players for the upcoming Unity Cup in England, following Mohun Bagan SG's decision to recall their seven players from the national team camp in Bengaluru on Saturday.
Jamil is preparing the team for the four-nation Unity Cup, which includes matches against Jamaica, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe. The squad had assembled for a day's training camp, but the Bagan players were instructed by their club to skip training later in the day and return home.
According to a senior official, the players had received tickets directly from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and were at home after the season ended. However, the tournament falls outside the FIFA international window (June 1-9), meaning clubs are not obligated to release players. The official stated that there is no compensation for injuries, and the AIFF has not provided any assistance, making it risky to release players at this stage.
The Unity Cup schedule sees India facing Jamaica on May 27, while Nigeria takes on Zimbabwe on May 26. The winners will contest the final on May 30, with the losing sides playing for third place.
Bagan's withdrawal leaves the AIFF with limited options, as only 30 players were shortlisted and had applied for visas. AIFF sources noted that if the club had communicated its decision earlier, replacements could have been arranged.
Subrata Paul, director of AIFF national teams, expressed disappointment in a statement, saying, "It is truly heartbreaking that the situation has reached this point. I feel deeply sorry for the players who are unable to travel with the team, as opportunities like this are truly once in a lifetime. Playing international matches in England, the home of football, is something every player dreams of. As a former international player myself, I can say with conviction that, regardless of the result, a player always comes away richer from playing international opponents of such levels."
With the Bagan players' withdrawal, Jamil faces difficulty in fielding a competitive squad against Jamaica, and there may not even be enough players on the bench. Three of the seven Bagan players—Lalengmawia Ralte, Sahal Abdul Samad, and Anirudh Thapa—are key midfielders. With Ashique Kuruniyan injured, Jamil is left with Jeakson Singh, PN Noufal, and Ricky Shabong.
Bagan goalkeeper Vishal Kaith, defender Abhishek Singh Tekcham, and forwards Manvir Singh and Liston Colaco are experienced campaigners who will be missed.
Adding to Jamil's woes, East Bengal have advised Anwar Ali not to travel due to an injury sustained against Inter Kashi in the Indian Super League (ISL) finale.
It is no secret that Mohun Bagan has been at odds with the AIFF for some time. The relationship worsened last week after the Kolkata giants failed the ICLS Premier 1 Club Licensing for the 2026-27 season. Bagan believes their license was rejected on "flimsy grounds," such as lacking an under-10 team, a website, and a security officer not employed by the club.
