Former India captain and the country’s record goal-scorer Sunil Chhetri is coming out of retirement and is likely to represent the Blue Tigers in the third round qualifier for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 against Bangladesh on March 25. Before that game, India will also play a friendly against Maldives.
A statement from AIFF on its website said that India senior men’s national team head coach Manolo Márquez had named Chhetri in the squad. The other forwards besides Chhetri in the India’s 26-member squad for March 2025 FIFA international window are: Farukh Choudhary, Irfan Yadwad, Lallianzuala Chhangte and Manvir Singh.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) made the announcement in a post on X on Thursday. “The captain, leader, legend will return to the Indian national team for the FIFA International Window in March,” AIFF wrote on X.
AIFF quoted Marquez as saying, “The qualification for the Asian Cup is very crucial for us. Given the importance of the tournament and the matches ahead, I discussed with Sunil Chhetri about making a comeback to strengthen the National Team. He agreed, and so we have included him in the squad.”
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India’s 26-member squad for March 2025 FIFA International Window
Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Gurmeet Singh, Vishal Kaith.
Defenders: Asish Rai, Boris Singh Thangjam, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Hmingthanmawia, Mehtab Singh, Rahul Bheke, Roshan Singh, Sandesh Jhingan, Subhasish Bose.
Midfielders: Ashique Kuruniyan, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Brandon Fernandes, Brison Fernandes, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Lalengmawia, Liston Colaco, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Suresh Singh Wangjam.
Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Farukh Choudhary, Irfan Yadwad, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manvir Singh.
AIFF added: “The Blue Tigers will play a friendly match against Maldives on March 19 in preparation for the opening match of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round against Bangladesh on March 25.”
The 40-year-old Chhetri is reversing his decision from June last year to retire from international football. He had continued playing for Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League. He has so far scored 12 goals from 23 matches this season to become its highest Indian goal-scorer this season. He also has two assists to his name.
Having scored 94 goals for India, Chhetri is the fourth-highest goalscorer in men’s football, after Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Ali Daei.
