The Leiria midfielder scored and assisted in New Zealand바카라™s 7-0 win over Fiji on 21 March
In New Zealand바카라™s 7-0 rout of Fiji in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers match on 21 March, one name would have stood out to Indian fans 바카라“ Sarpreet Singh. The 26-year-old, who currently plays for Uniao de Leiria in the Portuguese second division, scored one goal and assisted two more in the match. (More Football News)
The midfielder, who was born in Auckland to parents from India, is currently making a comeback of sorts after injuries threatened to decimate a career that was pegged for international stardom.
Sarpreet Singh made his senior debut for Wellington Phoenix. He enjoyed a breakout season in the 2018-19 season, making 24 appearances in the Australian A-League. As a result, German giants Bayern Munich took a chance and signed the then-20-year-old for their second team.
The tenacious midfielder also made his Kiwis debut early that year, rounding off a career whose potential was unlimited.
He made his senior debut for Bayern in December 2019, replacing Philippe Coutinho in a 6-1 win over Werder Bremen.
His first start came next year in a dead rubber match against SC Freiburg, but that proved to be his last appearance for Die Roten as injuries set in.
A bone injury prevented a transfer for Werder Bremen in 2022, and he spent three years on loan to three different clubs before sealing a move to second-division club Hansa Rostock. However, following the club바카라™s relegation, Sarpreet was on the move again, landing at Liga Portugal 2 side Uniao de Leiria.
The Kiwi-Indian player seems to have found a home in Leiria, playing a starring role for the club, which has the option of extending his one-year contract. He has scored four goals and assisted two more in 14 league games, all four of those goals coming in a purple patch between November and January.
His form saw him get called up to the New Zealand squad in November, where he scored and assisted in his first match against Vanuatu.
He also played all three of the All White바카라™s qualification matches next, starring in the Fiji win.
He has played across the midfield, usually taking an attacking position, but he occupied the defensive midfield role in the match against New Caledonia on 24 March. His tenacity and versatility have caught the eye of manager Darren Bazeley, and if NZ secure their World Cup spot, Sarpreet can expect himself to be on the plane to North America for the 2026 World Cup.