‘Surreal to be called up’: Punjab FC’s Muhammed Uvais on maiden call-up to Indian football team

Muhammed Uvais has credited his current Indian Super League  (ISL) club, Punjab FC, for receiving a maiden call-up to the Indian football team. “It’s surreal to be called up to the national camp. I think my performances with Punjab FC played a big role. I gave my best there, and I’m glad it helped me earn this opportunity,” Uvais told Punjab FC.

Besides defender Uvais, Nikhil Prabhu from Punjab is also a part of the Blue Tigers’ 23-man squad. This is Khalid Jamil’s first squad as the new coach of the Indian football team.

The Blue Tigers will be playing against Tajikistan, Iran and Afghanistan in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 from 29 August.

This is the first time India have been invited to the CAFA Nations Cup. It will serve as the perfect preparation before the crucial AFC Asia Cup 2027 qualifiers against Singapore and Bangladesh later this year.

On two senior Punjab players getting selected for the Indian football teams, coach Panagiotis Dilmperis said: “We are extremely proud of Nikhil, Uvais, Sameer, Suhail, Pramveer, and Kipgen for earning these well-deserved call-ups.

“Every selection is a reflection of their hard work, discipline, and dedication, as well as the club’s philosophy of investing in youth. Their journeys inspire our entire team and prove that Punjab FC’s pathway from grassroots to the national stage is stronger than ever.”

Punjab has also managed to send four more players to the age-group national teams. Striker Sameer has been picked in the India U-17 team for both the SAFF U-17 Championship and the AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers.

Muhammad Suhail, Pramveer Singh and Manglenthang Kipgen from Punjab have been picked in the India U23 squad for the friendly against Iraq. Defender Pramveer became the youngest starter in Indian Super League history in 2024 at the age of 17