Sarpreet Singh becomes first Indian-origin player to start a FIFA World Cup match New Zealand attacking midfielder Sarpreet Singh made history by becoming the first footballer of Indian origin to start a FIFA World Cup match, featuring in his team’s 2-2 draw against Iran in their Group G opener on Tuesday in Los Angeles. The 27-year-old, born in Auckland to Punjabi parents, was named in the starting XI by head coach Darren Bazeley and played the majority of the 90-minute contest, being substituted only in the 90th minute. His inclusion marked a significant milestone for players of Indian descent in international football. Singh, who wore the No. 10 jersey, operated in the central midfield for New Zealand’s 4-2-3-1 formation. Throughout the match, he had three attempts on goal, including a notable shot in the 61st minute that failed to beat the Iranian goalkeeper. The politically charged encounter saw Iran mount a comeback from a goal down, eventually securing a 2-2 draw. Bazeley’s decision to trust Singh for the full duration of the match highlighted the player’s importance to the team’s strategy. This achievement comes amid a broader context of Indian-origin players making their mark in global football. Two days prior, Nishan Velupillay, another player of Indian descent representing Australia, made his World Cup debut in his team’s 2-0 victory over Turkey in Vancouver. Velupillay, 25, entered the match from the bench in the 60th minute, having been born in Melbourne to an Anglo-Indian mother and a Malaysian father of Sri Lankan Tamil descent. Before this World Cup, Vikash Dhorasoo of France was the only player of Indian descent to have participated in a World Cup game.#iran #new_zealand #fifa_world_cup #sarpreet_singh #darren_bazeley
