A youth of Malayali descent is included in the Qatari team to face India.

He stated that Qatar is developing the future squad because they have already advanced from Group A to Round 3.

KANNUR: 18-year-old Tahsin Muhammad Jamshid, whose parents are from Kannur, is predicted to make history as the first player of Indian descent to play for the West Asian giant India when they play Qatar on June 11 in a FIFA World Cup qualifier. The second son of Jamshid Thachankandy and Shyma, Tahsin is the newest player on the Qatar national football squad.

Shyma is from Valapattanam, but Jamshid, an accountant in Doha, is from Thalassery. Tahsin was born in Doha, where the pair had relocated in 1996.

Qatar is my own nation, in my opinion. I’m a citizen of Qatar. Considering that he has previously represented Qatar’s U-17 and U-19 squads, this choice was hardly shocking. Nevertheless, Tahsin told TNIE from Doha, “I am incredibly happy and honoured to have been chosen.”

He stated that Qatar is developing the future squad because they have already advanced from Group A to Round 3.

“Junior players and club leagues across the nation are continually under observation by the senior team. I got the call from the national squad while I was playing for Al Duhail, one of the top football teams in Qatar. Having the opportunity to play for the World Cup team excites me much. However, we still have a long way to go as a team to win the World Cup,” he remarked.

Playing India is only a part of the game for Tahsin.

A player is qualified to represent a country if they were born there, according FIFA regulations. In addition, I hold a passport from Qatar. Playing football is not political. I attended the esteemed government-sponsored Aspire Academy while growing up in Qatar. There is no other reason for me; I just want to play football,” he said.

Jamshid, Tahsin’s father, was an accomplished football player as well. Jamshid spent four years playing for Calicut University while he was a college student.