NEW DELHI: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has celebrated what he called a major milestone for Indian football supporters, highlighting the presence of two players of Indian heritage in squads for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.“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 X.Tharoor pointed to 19-year-old winger Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid, who has become the first player of Indian origin to be selected for Qatar’s national team. He noted that Jamshid’s family traces its roots to Kannur in Kerala. He also highlighted Australia winger Nishan Velupillay, whose family origins are in Tamil Nadu.“19-year-old winger Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid makes history as the first player of Indian origin selected for the Qatar national team, carrying the immense pride of his family roots in Kannur, Kerala. Meanwhile, Australia’s 26-man squad features Melbourne Victory’s dynamic 25-year-old winger Nishan Velupillay, whose origins are in Tamil Nadu,” he added.Tharoor said the two players continue a legacy established by former France midfielder Vikash Dhorasoo, whose ancestors came from Andhra Pradesh before later settling in Mauritius and France. Dhorasoo represented France at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and finished as a runner-up.“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,” the MP wrote.Expressing pride in the achievements of the Indian diaspora, Tharoor said, “Seeing the global Indian diaspora make its mark on football’s grandest platform is an absolute joy. Best of luck to both young men as they head to North America.”The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
