The Indian football team is set to face Tajikistan in two international friendlies during the June FIFA international window. These matches will occur between June 5 and June 9, 2026. The first friendly will take place at the TALCO Arena in Tursunzoda, while the second match will be hosted at Hisor Central Stadium. Both games will commence at 8:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) and can be streamed live in India.
India’s Recent Performance
India’s national team recently dropped to 137th in the FIFA rankings after suffering defeats to Jamaica and Zimbabwe in the Unity Cup. The team hopes to recover against Tajikistan, currently ranked 103rd in the world.
Squad Details
Head coach Khalid Jamil has selected a 22-member squad for these friendlies. Ryan Williams will miss the games due to injury, having sustained a knock in the opening match of the Unity Cup. Forward Parthib Gogoi has been named as his replacement. Key players like Lallianzuala Chhangte and experienced goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu are included in the roster, along with defender Sandesh Jhingan.
Match History
In their last encounter, India achieved a notable 2-1 victory over Tajikistan during the CAFA Nations Cup, marking their first win against this team in 17 years. Under Khalid Jamil’s management, India went on to secure a bronze medal in that tournament. Since then, Tajikistan has remained unbeaten, topping Group A in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.
Previous Meetings
- Tajikistan leads the head-to-head record, with three wins.
- India has achieved two victories over Tajikistan.
- One match between the teams ended in a draw.
Viewing Information
Fans in India can watch the India vs. Tajikistan football friendlies live on the Football TV | Tajikistan YouTube channel. Unfortunately, no television channels will broadcast the matches live in India.
Match Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|
| June 5, 2026 | Tajikistan vs India | 8:30 PM |
| June 9, 2026 | Tajikistan vs India | 8:30 PM |
India’s Football Squad for Friendlies
- Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Hrithik Tiwari, Albino Gomes
- Defenders: Rahul Bheke, Nikhil Poojary, Roshan Singh Naorem, Sandesh Jhingan, Akash Mishra, Bijoy Varghese, Pramveer, Nikhil Barla
- Midfielders: Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Noufal PN, Ricky Shabong, Macarton Nickson
- Forwards: Parthib Gogoi, Edmund Lalrindika, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Mohammed Sanan, Rahim Ali, Farukh Choudhary, Vikram Partap Singh
Under coach Khalid Jamil’s leadership, India aims to make a strong comeback and build momentum ahead of future competitions.
