Som Kumar Receives India Call-Up for Brazil and Uruguay Matches

Som Kumar’s phone rang with the news every young goalkeeper dreams of. The ND Slovan shot-stopper has been called up to India’s senior national team for a high-profile set of international friendlies, a breakthrough moment that instantly shifts his career onto a bigger stage.

The 21-year-old, currently playing in Slovenia’s second tier, will fly to Bangalore on September 14 to link up with the initial training camp. He stands alone in this squad as the only overseas-based player selected from outside the Indian domestic system — a striking detail that underlines just how far his European route has taken him.

ND Slovan did not hide their delight. The club released a glowing statement hailing the call-up as “a great recognition” for Kumar and “a special source of pride for ND Slovan,” highlighting that their keeper will be with India during an international cycle that includes clashes with “two giants of world football, Brazil and Uruguay.” They signed off with a simple message that carried plenty of weight: “Congratulations, Som! We are proud of you and wish you great success in the national team shirt!”

This is not an overnight success story. Kumar has been building his European foundation since 2020, moving through the youth systems of Bravo, Krka, and Olimpija Ljubljana, learning the game in demanding environments far from home. He then stepped into senior football with Radomlje before earning his place at ND Slovan, where he has already made 17 competitive appearances and grown into a commanding presence in goal.

Upcoming Matches

Now comes the real examination.

• India open their international run by hosting Panama in Bengaluru on September 26, a fixture that will set the tone for what follows.
• Then comes the headline act: a meeting with Brazil in Kolkata on October 3, a blockbuster occasion for Indian football in one of its most passionate cities.
• Three days later, Uruguay arrive at the same venue, bringing another wave of South American firepower.

For Kumar, these games are more than glamorous friendlies. They are a test of temperament and talent against some of the sharpest attacking players on the planet, the kind of stage that can redefine a career in 90 minutes.

For Indian football, his rise from Slovenia’s second tier to the senior squad offers something just as important — proof that the European pathway can pay off, and that the search for talent now stretches far beyond the traditional domestic strongholds.