India coach Khalid Jamil is preparing for the four-nation Unity Cup in England with only 18 available players, after Mohun Bagan SG recalled seven squad members from the national camp in Bengaluru, leaving the All India Football Federation (AIFF) short of options so close to departure.

The recall came during what was meant to be a brief training camp, when Mohun Bagan SG instructed the selected players to skip the later session and head home instead, sharply reducing Jamil’s choices for team selection and even raising doubts about the strength of the substitutes’ bench.

Unity Cup Schedule For India

India is scheduled to face Jamaica on May 27, while Nigeria meets Zimbabwe on May 26, with the final set for May 30 between the winners and a third-place match for the losing teams, all falling outside the official FIFA international window, which runs from June 1 to June 9.

A senior Mohun Bagan SG official explained the club’s stance, pointing to the off-window timing and injury concerns. “The players were at home at the end of the season, and tickets were sent directly to them by AIFF,” the official told TOI, before stressing the club’s view that releasing players under such conditions involves considerable risk.

Unity Cup squad weakened by club decisions

The official added: “The tournament is played outside the FIFA international window and clubs are not duty-bound to release players. If any player gets injured, there will be no compensation. AIFF hasn’t helped us in any manner, and it will be a risk to release players at this stage.” This position has left administrators and coaching staff frustrated.

AIFF had earlier shortlisted 30 probables and asked them to apply for visas, but Mohun Bagan SG’s late call means the federation now has almost no time to draft in replacements, and internal sources indicated that an earlier intimation from the club could have allowed alternative players to be brought into the Unity Cup squad.

Unity Cup Squad: Key Absentees

The withdrawal hits India hardest in midfield. Three of the seven Mohun Bagan SG players: Lalengmawia Ralte, Sahal Abdul Samad and Anirudh Thapa, usually form a central part of the engine room. With Ashique Kuruniyan already injured, Jamil now has Jeakson Singh, PN Noufal, and Ricky Shabong as the remaining core options.

The other Mohun Bagan SG players called back are goalkeeper Vishal Kaith, defender Abhishek Singh Tekcham, and forwards Manvir Singh and Liston Colaco, all regular performers at club level. East Bengal have also advised defender Anwar Ali not to travel for the Unity Cup because of an injury suffered against Inter Kashi in the final Indian Super League match.

‘It Is Heartbreaking…’- AIFF Team Director Subrata Paul

AIFF national teams director Subrata Paul expressed strong disappointment at the turn of events. “It is truly heartbreaking that the situation has reached this point,” Paul said in a statement, noting the emotional impact on footballers who now miss out on rare overseas opportunities with the Unity Cup squad.

Paul added, “I feel deeply sorry for the players who are unable to travel with the team, as opportunities like this are truly once in a lifetime. Playing international matches in England, the home of football, is something every player dreams of.” The statement highlighted how player development suffers when such tours fall through for key names.

Reflecting on personal experience, Paul said: “As a former international player myself, I can say with conviction that, regardless of the result, a player always comes away richer from playing international opponents of such levels.” These comments underline AIFF’s concern that the Unity Cup squad will lack both depth and exposure benefits.

Why Did This Wedge Came In Between AIFF & Mohun Bagan?

Relations between Mohun Bagan SG and AIFF were already strained before the Unity Cup squad issue. The situation worsened after the Kolkata club failed to obtain the ICLS Premier 1 Club Licensing for the 2026-27 season, which the club argued was denied for “flimsy grounds” including the absence of an under-10 team, an official website, and a security officer formally employed by the club.

With the licensing dispute in the background and key players staying back, Jamil now heads into the Unity Cup with a reduced group, limited cover in several positions, and uncertainty over competitiveness, especially against Jamaica, yet the tournament schedule and squad list remain unchanged at this stage.