Kerala-Origin Teen Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid Named in Qatar’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Squad.

19-year-old Al-Duhail winger becomes first Malayali in a World Cup squad; holds Indian passport, rose through Aspire Academy.

Doha/Kannur: – In a historic first for Kerala, 19-year-old winger Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid has been named in Qatar’s 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026, becoming the first Malayali ever selected for football’s biggest tournament. 

Born in Doha on June 16, 2006, to Keralite parents, Tahsin is set to become the first Indian passport holder to play at a World Cup. He also holds a Qatari mission passport, which allows foreign-born athletes to represent Qatar internationally. 

Kerala Roots, Qatar Rise

Tahsin’s father Jamshid Thachankandy hails from Thalassery, Kannur, and his mother Shyma is from Valapattanam. Jamshid, a former Kerala sub-junior player and Calicut University footballer, moved to Qatar in 1996 after an injury cut his career short. 

Tahsin began football at age four, watching his father play at local stadiums in Doha on Fridays. He developed through Qatar’s Aspire Academy and plays for Qatar Stars League giants Al-Duhail SC. At 17, he became the first Indian-origin player to feature in the Qatar Stars League. 

International Path

Tahsin represented Qatar at Under-16, Under-17 and Under-19 levels before breaking into the senior side. He made his senior debut in a World Cup qualifier against Afghanistan in 2024. Although named in a squad against India earlier, he did not play. 

Qatar head coach Julen Lopetegui included him in the final 26 for the World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. 12d6

Historic Moment for Kerala.

Football enjoys near-religious following in Kerala, with giant cut-outs and midnight screenings every World Cup. Yet the state had never seen one of its own reach the tournament. 

“This is such a joyous moment for me personally. To see my son achieve the heights I dreamt of at his age is truly remarkable,” Jamshid told TOI from Doha. 

Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor hailed Tahsin’s selection, noting he is _“the first player of Indian origin to be selected for the Qatar national football team.” 

Indian Diaspora at World Cup 2026.

Tahsin is among four Indian-origin players at the 2026 World Cup, alongside Sarpreet Singh for New Zealand, Nishan Velupillay for Australia, and Samuel Moutoussamy for DR Congo. For Indian fans, it’s a “massive cultural victory” despite India not qualifying. 

If he takes the field, Tahsin will become the first player of Indian origin to play in a FIFA World Cup match.