Updated: 11.10.23
Merdeka Cup 2023 Provisional India Squad, Venue, Format, Schedule, Prize Money. The Merdeka Cup 2023 is set to kick off on October 11th, deviating from its original schedule of October 13th to 17th. The Malaysian Football Association is organizing the tournament, featuring four nations: Malaysia, India, Palestine, and Tajikistan. India’s participation in this tournament marks a return after a hiatus since 2001. However, changes to the schedule occurred due to Palestine’s withdrawal amid the Israel-Palestine war, prompting India to start their campaign against Tajikistan on October 11, altering the initial match against Malaysia set for October 13.
In this article, we shall deal with India’s squad for the Merdeka Cup and all the important information about this tournament.
26 Member Provisional Indian Squad for the Merdeka Cup 2023
The 26-member squad is as follows:
Manager: Igor Stimac
Goalkeepers: Dheeraj Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Vishal Kaith and Amrinder Singh
Midfielders: Liston Calco, Jeakson Singh, Rohit Kumar, Brandon Fernandes, Nandakumar Sekar Suresh Singh, Udanta Singh, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Saha Abdul Samad, Vikram Pratap Singh, Rohit Kumar, Mahesh Singh Naorem and Anirudha Thapa.
Defenders: Subhasish Bose, Nikhil Poojary, Mehtab Singh, Roshan Singh, Akash Mishra, Anwar Ali and Sandesh Jhingan.
Forwards: Manvir Singh and Sunil Chhetri
Also Read: What Lies Ahead For The Indian Football Team After Asian Games 2023 Exit
Who is the Defending Champion of the Merdeka Cup?
Malaysia is the defending champions of the Merdeka Cup 2023. It won the last Merdeka Cup played about a decade ago in 2013. It lifted the trophy after defeating Myanmar with a scoreline of 2-0 in the finals.
What is the Venue?
Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur shall host all matches of the Merdeka Cup 2023. It will be a knockout tournament with two semi-finals and one final. There is no extra time i.e., if scores are level at the end of the regulation time, teams shall directly play penalties to settle the match.
Merdeka Cup 2023 Updated Format
Following Palestine’s withdrawal due to counter-attacks in the Gaza Strip, the 2023 Merdeka Tournament altered its competition format, reducing participation to three teams: India, Tajikistan, and Malaysia. These teams will partake in a knockout format to determine the tournament’s champion.
Schedule of Merdeka Cup 2023 (Updated)
Due to the withdrawal of Palestine, the schedule of Merdeka Cup 2023 has been revised –
Match 1
Malaysia vs. India on 13th October at 6:30 PM (IST)
Match 2
Tajikistan vs. Malaysia/India on 17th October at 6:30 PM (IST)
Also Read: Fixtures, Broadcast, Prize Money, And All You Need To Know About EFL Or Carabao Cup 2023-24
Where To Watch
You can watch the live broadcast of the Merdeka Cup on Star Sports Network. You will also be able to watch the live streaming on Disney+ Hotstar App.
What is the Prize Money of Merdeka Cup 2023
| Position | Prize Money ($) | Prize Money (INR) |
| Winners | 50,000 | 41.51 Lakhs |
| Runner-up | 30,000 | 25 Lakhs |
