Sarpreet Singh created football history by starting for New Zealand in their opening 2026 World Cup fixture against Iran. The player of Punjabi descent played a key role in the All Whites’ first goal, combining with Elijah Just and captain Chris Wood before Just completed the move to give New Zealand the lead. Singh remained on the pitch until the 92nd minute, when he was replaced by Jesse Randall. The match ended 2-2. Born in Auckland in February 1999, Singh currently plays for Wellington Phoenix on loan from Serbian club TSC. His parents emigrated from Jalandhar in Punjab and once operated a grocery store in Auckland. He began his career at Onehunga Sports, joined Wellington Phoenix in 2015, and impressed at youth level in the A-League. Bayern Munich signed him in 2019 after he shone at the FIFA U20 World Cup. Singh became the first player of Indian origin to appear in the Bundesliga during a 6-1 victory over Werder Bremen. Subsequent loans took him to FC Nürnberg and SSV Jahn Regensburg. He later played for Hansa Rostock and Portuguese side União de Leiria before returning to Wellington Phoenix. Singh earned his first senior cap for New Zealand in 2018 against Canada and scored his maiden international goal versus Kenya at the 2018 Intercontinental Cup in Mumbai. His World Cup appearance highlights the Indian diaspora’s growing presence in global football and underscores India’s continued absence from the tournament despite its large population and long football tradition. India qualified once in 1950 but withdrew. Other players of Indian origin have represented different nations, including Vikash Dhorasoo for France in 2006.
