For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, players of Indian heritage have represented both Australia and New Zealand on football’s biggest stage, with Melbourne-born Nishan Velupillay and Auckland-born Sarpreet Singh achieving landmark milestones for the South Asian diaspora.
Velupillay, 25, became the first player of Tamil heritage to play for Australia at a FIFA World Cup after being named in the 2026 Socceroos squad. The Melbourne Victory winger’s rise from grassroots football to the global stage has been celebrated by Australia’s Tamil and Indian communities.
Born and raised in Melbourne, Velupillay has Sri Lankan Tamil ancestry through his father and Anglo-Indian heritage through his mother. A graduate of Melbourne Victory’s academy system, he made his senior international debut in October 2024 during a World Cup qualifier against China, scoring shortly after coming off the bench.
Since then, he has established himself as an important attacking option for the Socceroos, making seven international appearances and scoring three goals, all during World Cup qualifying campaigns.
His selection for the 2026 World Cup marked another significant achievement in his football career.
Meanwhile, New Zealand midfielder Sarpreet Singh made history by becoming the first footballer of Indian origin to start a FIFA World Cup match.
The 27-year-old, born in Auckland to Punjabi parents, was named in the starting line-up for the All Whites’ opening Group G match against Iran in Los Angeles, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
Wearing the No.10 jersey, Singh played almost the full match and contributed to New Zealand’s attacking play, registering several efforts on goal.
Singh’s football journey has taken him from New Zealand to Europe’s top leagues. In 2019, he became the first player of Indian origin to feature in Germany’s Bundesliga when he made his debut for Bayern Munich. He later played in Germany, Portugal and Serbia before returning to Wellington Phoenix.
The achievements of Velupillay and Singh highlight the growing influence of South Asian communities in football across Australia and New Zealand, where participation in the sport continues to increase among migrant families.
Their World Cup appearances represent a major step forward for South Asian representation in international football and reflect the increasingly multicultural nature of the global game.
Two other players of Indian heritage — Samuel Moutoussamy of DR Congo and Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid of Qatar — are also members of their national World Cup squads.
Before the 2026 tournament, Vikash Dhorasoo, who represented France at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, was the only player of Indian descent to appear at the tournament. The accomplishments of Velupillay and Singh have now expanded that legacy, showcasing how migration, multiculturalism and emerging football pathways are shaping the future of the sport.