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India Football Team Suffers Setback Ahead of London Tournament
Mohun Bagan Super Giant has withdrawn all seven of its players from the Indian national football camp ahead of the upcoming Unity Cup in London, dealing a major setback to preparations for the tournament. The club cited injury concerns and lack of compensation outside FIFA international windows as reasons for the decision.
In a significant blow to India’s preparations for the upcoming Unity Cup in London, Mohun Bagan Super Giant has decided to withdraw all seven of its players from the national football camp.
The players were part of the 28-member Indian squad selected by head coach Khalid Jamil for the four-nation tournament and were scheduled to travel to London from the training camp in Bengaluru on Sunday.
According to reports, the Indian Super League runners-up cited long-standing concerns regarding player injuries and the absence of financial compensation from the football federation for player releases outside the official FIFA international window.
India are scheduled to face Jamaica national football team on May 27 in the tournament, while Nigeria national football team will take on Zimbabwe national football team on May 26. The winners of the two matches will compete in the final on May 30, while the losing teams will play in the third-place playoff.
The withdrawal of key players from one of India’s top football clubs is expected to affect squad balance and preparations ahead of the tournament. The development also highlights ongoing tensions between clubs and national team management regarding player workload, scheduling, and compensation policies.
Football observers believe the issue could prompt wider discussions about coordination between domestic clubs and the national football setup, especially in tournaments conducted outside FIFA-designated windows.
