AIFF races against time – Five players added to Unity Cup squad after Mohun Bagan players withdrew

The Indian national men’s team wants fast-track visas for five players to replace the Unity Cup, as seven Mohun Bagan Super Giant players from the original squad were forced to return to the club before the contingent flew from India to London on Sunday.

Mohammed Sanan, Ricky Meetei Haobam, Vikram Partap Singh, Macarton Louis Nickson and Lalremtluanga Fanai have been named as replacements by head coach Khalid Jamil and the team management.

However, the players remain in a race against time for their visa clearance, with India playing its first match against Jamaica on May 26. The next match, against Nigeria or Zimbabwe, is scheduled for May 30 and both matches will be played at The Valley in London.

Sanan was one of Jamil’s trusted generals during his time at Jamshedpur FC. Sanan rose through the Reliance Foundation Young Champs and was an integral member of the Jamshedpur side that reached the 2024-2025 ISL semi-finals and the Super Cup final.

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Vikram, on the other hand, returns to the team for the first time this year. He last played for India in the 0-1 defeat against Bangladesh in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.

Meanwhile, Macarton Louis Nickson, who earned his first senior call-up under former coach Manolo Marquez, will look to add midfield depth to the squad. This includes Fanai, who provided four assists in 14 games for Bengaluru FC in the 2025/26 season and became a regular for the team at just 21 years of age.

Of Bagan’s seven players, three – Anirudh Thapa, Lalengmawia Ralte and Sahal Abdul Samad – were midfielders, and their abrupt departure will be a major concern for Jamil.

Ricky, a former captain of India’s Under-20 side, will contribute to the Indian defense and is expected to play more of an impact replacement role at the age of 19.

He had scored the winning goal for Bengaluru in the Reliance Foundation Development League final and is expected to be part of Jamil’s push for young blood in a team in transition.

Published on May 24, 2026