New Delhi

India may not have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but the country's presence will be felt in more ways than one at football's biggest spectacle.

From players of Indian origin representing different nations to Bollywood star Nora Fatehi performing at the opening ceremony, India will have a visible footprint at the tournament that is expected to attract billions of viewers across the globe.

The biggest attraction for Indian fans is likely to be actor, singer and dancer Nora Fatehi, who is set to take centre stage at the World Cup's opening celebrations. Fatehi has teamed up with French singer Vegedream and music producer Sanjoy to release "Siir Siir", a track featured on the official FIFA Sound album.

The song, which blends global musical influences, reflects Fatehi's multicultural identity, drawing from her Moroccan, Canadian and Indian connections. More significantly, the project has a strong Indian imprint behind the scenes, with Indian choreographers, dancers and stylists contributing to its production.

Fatehi will perform the track live during the tournament's opening ceremony at Toronto's BMO Field on June 12, marking one of the most prominent appearances by a Bollywood personality at a FIFA World Cup event. Through its music, choreography and visual storytelling, "Siir Siir" showcases how global sporting platforms are increasingly embracing cultural diversity and cross-border artistic collaborations.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, will be the largest edition in the tournament's history. For the first time, 48 teams will compete across 16 host cities spread over three countries.

The month-long football extravaganza will run from June 11 to July 19, bringing together the world's finest players and national teams. Mexico City will host the opening match, while the final will be played at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey. The expanded format is expected to make the tournament more competitive and geographically diverse than ever before.

While India remains absent from the competition, several players with Indian ancestry will be participating for other nations, providing fans with additional reasons to follow the tournament.

Among them is 19-year-old Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid, who has earned a place in Qatar's World Cup squad. A talented left winger who plays professionally for Al-Duhail SC, Tahsin was born in Doha to Malayali parents from Kerala's Kannur district. His father Jamshid hails from Thalassery, while his mother Shyma is from Valapattanam.

His selection has generated considerable excitement among football enthusiasts in Kerala, a state known for its passionate football culture.

 

 

 

 

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Another player with Indian heritage is Australia's Nishan Velupillay. The forward's father, Sasinath Velupillay, is Malaysian with Sri Lankan Tamil roots, while his mother, Gillian Velupillay, belongs to the Anglo-Indian community. Having grown up in Australia, Nishan has emerged as one of the country's promising attacking talents and is expected to play an important role in Australia's campaign.

New Zealand midfielder Sarpreet Singh is another familiar name with South Asian roots. Widely regarded as one of New Zealand's most creative midfielders, Singh has represented his country at the highest level and has enjoyed professional stints in Europe and Australasia. His technical ability and vision have made him a key figure in New Zealand's squad.

Representing DR Congo will be Samuel Muthusamy, whose family history reflects the far-reaching journeys of the Indian diaspora. Born in Guadeloupe, a French overseas territory in the Caribbean, Muthusamy has a Congolese mother and a father of Tamil origin. The 29-year-old midfielder has been a regular member of the DR Congo national team. His Indian ancestry traces back to Tamil labourers who migrated generations ago, highlighting the global spread of Indian communities over the centuries.

The presence of these players underscores the growing impact of the Indian diaspora in world football. Although India is still striving to make its long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup, footballers of Indian origin are increasingly finding success on the international stage.

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For Indian fans, therefore, the 2026 World Cup will offer more than just football. Whether through Nora Fatehi's performance at the opening ceremony or the exploits of players with Indian roots representing nations across the globe, the tournament will carry unmistakable echoes of India even in the absence of the national team.