Srinagar, May 4 -- Hammad captained the Snow Leopards in the 2023-24 I-League season, keeping the meanest defense in the second-tier of Indian professional football. The 26-year-old from Srinagar is among four I-League player selected by coach Stimac for the camp, which will decide the Indian team for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Preliminary Joint Qualification round two matches against Kuwait and Qatar. The training camp will be held in Bhubaneswar from May 10.

Hammad is all set to move to FC Goa next season after agreeing a deal to sign with the Indian Super League club earlier in April. He suited up in 24 games for Real Kashmir and kept 12 clean sheets while allowing only 19 goals.

His performances led to him being named Best Defender of ...