A young footballer with roots in Kerala is on the verge of making history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid, 19, whose family hails from Kannur, has been named in Qatar’s 26-man squad for the tournament to be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Tahsin’s inclusion in the national team has sparked excitement among football fans in Kerala. If he takes the field during the tournament, he will become the first player with Kerala roots and the first footballer of Indian origin to appear in a FIFA World Cup.The announcement came when Qatar head coach Julen Lopetegui unveiled his final squad for football’s biggest event. Tahsin’s name marks a significant milestone for both Qatar and the Indian diaspora.
Born and raised in Qatar, Tahsin is the son of Jamshid and Shaima, who trace their roots to Valapattanam in Kannur district. His father, a former footballer who represented Calicut University, moved to Qatar in 1996 and currently works as a chief accountant.
Tahsin’s football journey began under the guidance of his father. He developed his skills through Qatar’s Aspire Academy. He joined Al Duhail SC at the age of 17 and went on to become the first player of Indian origin to feature in the Qatar Stars League.He has represented Qatar at the Under-16, Under-17, and Under-19 levels before making his senior international debut in a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Afghanistan in June 2024.