Som Kumar Earns India Call-Up After European Journey

Som Kumar’s leap of faith in Europe has been rewarded in the biggest way yet. The ND Slovan goalkeeper has earned his first-ever call-up to India’s senior national team, a landmark moment for the youngster plying his trade in Slovenia’s second tier.

He will fly to Bangalore on September 14 to join the initial training camp, stepping into a dressing room preparing for one of the most glamorous friendly windows in Indian football history. Kumar is also a rarity in this squad: the only overseas-based player selected from outside the Indian domestic system.

“Som’s call-up is a great recognition for him and a special source of pride for ND Slovan. Our player will be part of the senior national team during an international cycle in which India will also face two giants of world football, Brazil and Uruguay. Congratulations, Som! We are proud of you and wish you great success in the national team shirt!”

This moment has been four years in the making. Since 2020, Kumar has quietly built his career in Europe, learning his trade in the youth systems of Bravo, Krka, and Olimpija Ljubljana. The imposing goalkeeper then stepped into the senior game with Radomlje before landing at ND Slovan, where he has already made 17 competitive appearances.

Those minutes, those training sessions in unfamiliar surroundings, now carry visible weight. His breakthrough into the senior India setup underlines the value of his European route and sends a powerful message back home to a growing Indian football community that increasingly looks beyond its borders.

Upcoming Matches

The stage he walks onto could hardly be bigger.

• India open their international series against Panama in Bengaluru on September 26.
• Then comes the headline act: a clash with global powerhouse Brazil in Kolkata on October 3.
• Followed by another South American giant, Uruguay, at the same venue three days later.

For any goalkeeper, it is a dream – and a trial by fire. For Kumar, it is the ultimate showcase. Facing some of the most dangerous attacking talents on the planet, he now has the chance to prove he belongs at this level, under the brightest lights Indian football has seen in years.