Seven Manipur Stars in India’s CAFA Nations Cup Squad — Pride, Pressure, and a Chance to Shine
Seven footballers from Manipur — Chinglensana Singh, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Roshan Singh, Udanta Singh, Boris Singh, Jeakson Singh, and Mahesh Singh — have been named in India’s 23-member squad for the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, which begins in Tajikistan on August 29, 2025. The new India head coach Khalid Jamil announced the team ahead of his first assignment; India is placed in Group B with Tajikistan (hosts), Iran (defending champions), and Afghanistan, and will play Tajikistan on Aug 29, Iran on Sep 1 and Afghanistan on Sep 4. The selections drew warm praise from former Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh, who hailed the players as the state’s pride.
The seven from Manipur — names that mean something locally and nationally
Here’s the roll call, because these are the facts that landed in many timelines and WhatsApp groups:
- Chinglensana Singh
- Suresh Singh Wangjam
- Roshan Singh
- Udanta Singh
- Boris Singh
- Jeakson Singh
- Mahesh Singh.
That’s seven players from one northeastern state named in India’s 23-member CAFA Nations Cup squad — a striking concentration of talent. For many followers of Indian football, this won’t be a surprise; Manipur has long been a reservoir for national-level players. But for casual sports fans, this is a reminder of where the grassroots strength of Indian football often originates: in the northeastern states, where passion for the game runs deep.
CAFA Nations Cup: a short primer — what is it and why India’s taking part
The CAFA Nations Cup is a Central Asian Football Association tournament. For India, participating in regional tournaments like CAFA provides match practice against different playing styles, exposure to international conditions, and an early peek at how new coaching plans will fare in real competition. This edition takes place in Tajikistan starting August 29, 2025, and India’s group is a tough one — Tajikistan, Iran (the defending champions), and Afghanistan. The group schedule: India vs Tajikistan (Aug 29), India vs Iran (Sept 1) and India vs Afghanistan (Sept 4). For head coach Khalid Jamil, making this his first assignment with the national team, CAFA is the first real chance to test formations, fitness, and player temperament in a compact, competitive environment.
FAQs
1) Who are the seven footballers from Manipur selected for India’s CAFA Nations Cup 2025 squad?
The seven are Chinglensana Singh, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Roshan Singh, Udanta Singh, Boris Singh, Jeakson Singh, and Mahesh Singh.
2) When and where does the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 start, and who are India’s Group B opponents?
The tournament starts on August 29, 2025 in Tajikistan. India’s Group B opponents are Tajikistan (hosts), Iran (defending champions), and Afghanistan. India’s match dates are Aug 29 (Tajikistan), Sept 1 (Iran) and Sept 4 (Afghanistan).
3) Who is the India coach for this tournament and what’s notable about his squad announcement?
Khalid Jamil is the head coach who named a 23-member squad for CAFA — this tournament marks his first assignment as India coach and is a key early test for his strategies.
4) Why is it significant that so many players from Manipur are in the squad?
Manipur has a deep football culture and strong grassroots development; having seven players in a national squad reflects effective local talent pipelines, community support for the sport, and the state’s outsized contribution to India’s player pool. It’s both a sporting and cultural moment for the region.
5) What should fans watch for to judge India’s performance in CAFA?
Focus on competitive performances rather than just results, player minutes (especially for new or younger players), midfield control, the use of wings (pace and width), and defensive organisation — these indicators will show if the team is progressing under the new coach’s plan.
