The New Zealand midfielder, born to Punjabi parents, will be only the second player of Indian descent to feature at football’s biggest stage
Football fans in India may still be waiting for the national team to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, but in 2026, they will have a special reason to cheer as Sarpreet Singh, an attacking midfielder for New Zealand, represents the All Whites in North America’s grand football spectacle, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
An Indian-Origin Star on the World’s Biggest Stage
Born in Auckland to Punjabi immigrant parents, Sarpreet Singh is set to become only the second Indian-origin footballer in World Cup history, following France’s Vikash Dhorasoo in 2006. Sarpreet, a key part of New Zealand’s midfield, takes immense pride in his heritage.
“I grew up in a Punjabi household, an Indian background, and for me that’s a huge feeling of pride,” Sarpreet said from Portugal, where he currently plays for Uniao de Leiria.
New Zealand secured their third-ever World Cup qualification—and first since 2010—after a 3-0 victory over New Caledonia in the Oceania qualifiers. They will join teams like Argentina, Japan, Iran, and the three host nations—the USA, Canada, and Mexico—at the expanded 48-team tournament.
A Journey of Breaking Barriers
Sarpreet first gained international recognition when Bayern Munich, the six-time European champions, signed him in 2019, making him the first Indian-origin player to feature in the German Bundesliga. Training alongside stars like Robert Lewandowski and Philippe Coutinho, he caught the eye of then-coach Hansi Flick (now at Barcelona) and earned a first-team call-up.
“It was a big thing for me personally and also for both New Zealand and Indian people.”
— Sarpreet Singh
Sarpreet has already represented New Zealand at U-17 and U-20 World Cups and even featured at the Paris Olympics in 2021. In 2019, he played in India as part of the New Zealand squad at the InterContinental Cup in Mumbai, calling it a “special experience” to compete in the land of his ancestors.
Inspiring a Generation of South Asian Footballers
The significance of Sarpreet’s presence at the World Cup is not lost on Baljit Rihal, founder of the Asian Football Awards, who said:
“Seeing ‘Singh’ on the back of a jersey on football’s biggest stage will be a powerful statement. This moment can inspire a generation and challenge outdated perceptions about South Asians in football.”
Now, at 26, Sarpreet is focused on maintaining fitness and form ahead of the World Cup, where he hopes to inspire future Indian-origin footballers.
“Every career has ups and downs. I’ve faced many challenges, but I hope to show that if you keep pushing, you can reach higher levels,” he says.
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