From Kerala to Qatar’s World Cup Squad: Tahsin Jamshid’s FIFA-Journey

Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid, a 19-year old footballer of Kerala origin, has been named in Qatar’s FIFA World Cup 2026 squad, putting him on the verge of becoming one of the first Malayali players to feature at football’s biggest tournament. Born in Qatar to Malayali parents from Kerala's Kannur, Tahsin developed his skill through the renowned Aspire Academy system and currently plays for Qatar Stars League club Al-Duhail.

Tahsin’s father, Jamshid Thachankandy, is a former footballer from Thalassery, Kerala, while his mother Shyma hails from Valapattanam in Kannur. After impressing coaches during Qatar’s preparations, the young winger earned a place in the nation’s final World Cup squad and is now set to represent Qatar on the global stage.

Tahsin was just four years old when he would sit by the dug-out at local stadiums in Doha and watch his father play football on Fridays.

That was where it started.

Tahsin’s father Jamshid had immigrated to Doha in 1996 with his wife, Shyma, leaving behind a timber business and a football career cut short by injury. Jamshid spent his Fridays at local stadiums with friends and co-workers, and his younger son Tahsin came along.

“He used to sit near the dug-out area,” Jamshid remembers. “Later he would ask me and my friends to dribble with him, to make him learn football. That was his first step.”

In 1992, Tahsin’s father played alongside Jo Paul Ancheri, Kerala’s finest of that era. More than thirty years later, Jamshid’s 19-year-old son is in the 26-man Qatar squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

It is the first time a player of Indian origin has been at the tournament since Vikash Dhorasoo last played for France in 2006. “To see my son Tahsin play in the FIFA World Cup for Qatar feels like achieving my dream.” Says Tahsin’s proud father. “It’s a special moment for each one of us.” Jamshid further added.

Tahsin started his journey from the dug-out to the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qasim Sports Academy. From there to the sub-junior team of Al-Duhail SC in 2017. Then the Aspire Academy, Qatar’s elite football development programme, where most of the national team’s current players were shaped.

“All he talked about was football,” his father says. “Apart from a forward, he also played as a left winger as well as right winger.”

The coaches at Sheikh Faisal had spotted something early-Two Algerian instructors who spent hours on Tahsin’s attacking runs, his angles, his movement off the ball.

Tahsin made his U17 debut for Qatar in 2023 and U19 debut the following year. In 2024, Tahsin made his professional senior debut for Al-Duhail SC in the Qatar Stars League, coming on for former Premier League midfielder Ibrahima Diallo. Two months later, he was called into the Qatar senior squad.

In September 2024, at 17 years, 11 months, and 21 days, Tahsin started for Qatar against Afghanistan in a World Cup qualifier in Saudi Arabia, the same campaign in which Qatar also faced India. The match ended 0-0. Jamshid was in the stands.

“We went to watch him play and cheered for him and the Qatar team,” Tahsin’s father says. 

Since then, Tahsin has featured in friendlies against Zimbabwe and Ireland and played for the Qatar U23 team. He was born in Doha, grew up in its stadiums, and trained in its academies. He also holds an Indian passport, his father’s country, a place he has never lived. Next year, as per the law, he will need to choose.

“Possibly, he will be opting for a Qatar passport then,” Tahsin’s father says.

Tahsin grew up watching the 2022 World Cup from those same stadiums. As a huge Cristiano Ronaldo fan, he used to follow every Portugal match. He also cheered for Qatar in the group stage, before they went out. This time, Tahsin will be on the same pitch, playing.

Qatar opens against Switzerland on June 13 in San Francisco, and then has to face Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, to complete their group. They qualified last October with a 2-1 win over the UAE and are coached by Julen Lopetegui.

“We have been getting a lot of messages and calls from Kerala,” Jamshid says with immense pride. “People are telling us they will pray for Tahsin.”

On June 13, in San Francisco, Tahsin Mohammad Jamshid will play in the FIFA World Cup. His father will be cheering.

This article is written by Divya Sharma, a student of Kristu Jayanti Deemed to be University, interning with Deccan Chronicle.