AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia: India senior men's national team head coach Manolo Marquez on Thursday announced his 26-member squad, including the legendary Sunil Chhetri, for the March FIFA International Window. The fourth-highest international goalscorer of all-time with 94 strikes to his credit, Chhetri had announced his retirement from the national team in June last year but is now set to make a return in India's blue later this month.
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 All-India Football Federation (AIFF) informed in a release on Thursday. Shillong's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will host the Indian senior men’s team's two matches that they will play during the FIFA international window in March.
Marquez said, "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."
