Som Kumar has received his first senior India call-up as head coach Khalid Jamil named him in the 26-member squad for a blockbuster international window featuring Panama, Brazil and Uruguay.

India will begin the run against Panama on September 26 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. The Blue Tigers will then travel to Kolkata, where they will face five-time world champions Brazil on October 3, followed by two-time world champions Uruguay on October 6 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.

All three opponents featured at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making the window a major test for Jamil’s side. Among the four goalkeepers selected, one name stands out for his unusual career route: Som Kumar.

Who is Som Kumar?

Born in Bengaluru in 2005, Kumar began his football journey in India before moving to Slovenia as a teenager. He developed through the youth systems of NK Bravo, NK Krka and Olimpija Ljubljana, gaining experience in European football at a relatively young age.

Kumar also represented India at youth level, featuring for the U17 and U20 teams. He was part of India’s successful 2022 SAFF U20 Championship campaign, further establishing himself as one of the country’s promising young goalkeepers.

In 2024, Kumar returned to India and joined Kerala Blasters, where he made his senior professional breakthrough. He featured in the Durand Cup before making his Indian Super League debut, gaining valuable experience in Indian senior football.

However, his European journey soon resumed. Kumar returned to Slovenia and eventually became associated with ND Slovan, where he continues to develop.

At just 21, Som Kumar is heading into his first senior India camp, with the possibility of facing three World Cup nations.

India Squad for Sept-Oct Friendlies

Goalkeepers: Albino Gomes, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, Som Kumar.

Defenders: Abhishek Singh Tekcham, Akash Mishra, Anwar Ali, Bijoy Varghese, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Jay Gupta, Pramveer, Ricky Meetei Haobam.

Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Ashique Kuruniyan, Farukh Choudhary, Lalengmawia Ralte, Macarton Nickson, Mohammed Sanan, Ricky Shabong, Sahal Abdul Samad.

Forwards: Edmund Lalrindika, Irfan Yadwad, Manvir Singh, Rahim Ali, Ryan Williams, Vikram Partap Singh.