Sarpreet Singh Creates History as First Player of Indian Origin to Start a FIFA World Cup Match

New Zealand midfielder Sarpreet Singh etched his name into football history by becoming the first player of Indian origin to start a FIFA World Cup match , featuring in New Zealand's 2-2 draw against Iran in a Group G encounter in Los Angeles.

The 27-year-old Auckland-born footballer, whose parents migrated from Punjab, made his FIFA World Cup debut after being named in the starting lineup by New Zealand head coach Darren Bazeley. Wearing the iconic No. 10 jersey , Sarpreet played almost the entire match and was substituted only in the 90th minute.

Operating as an attacking midfielder in New Zealand's 4-2-3-1 formation , he was actively involved in creating opportunities and registered three attempts on goal , including a notable effort in the 61st minute. His performance underlined New Zealand's confidence in his abilities as the team twice took the lead before Iran fought back to secure a draw.

The achievement marks a significant milestone for footballers of Indian heritage on the global stage. Just days earlier, Nishan Velupillay, another player of Indian descent, made his World Cup debut for Australia after coming off the bench in a 2-0 victory over Turkiye. However, Sarpreet became the first to start a World Cup fixture.

Before the 2026 tournament, the only footballer of Indian origin to appear in a World Cup match was former France midfielder Vikash Dhorasoo, whose family roots trace back to Andhra Pradesh. Dhorasoo made brief substitute appearances during the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where France finished runners-up.

Sarpreet's journey has been remarkable. He first gained attention in India during the 2018 Intercontinental Cup in Mumbai, where he impressed against a side led by Sunil Chhetri, scoring against Kenya and providing two assists against India.

A year later, he became the first player of Indian descent to play in Germany's Bundesliga when he debuted for Bayern Munich under coach Hansi Flick. He was also part of Bayern's 2019-20 Bundesliga-winning squad , a landmark achievement for a footballer of Indian heritage.

Following spells in Portugal and Serbia, Sarpreet returned to New Zealand football in 2026, overcoming an injury setback earlier this year to earn a place in the World Cup squad. With 24 international caps and three goals for New Zealand, his historic World Cup start highlights the growing presence and influence of players of Indian origin in global football.

Other players of Indian heritage at the 2026 World Cup include Samuel Moutoussamy and Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid, reflecting the expanding footprint of the Indian diaspora in world football.