Sunil Chhetri is coming out of retirement at age 40 to help India in qualifying for the 2027 Asian Cup. India recalled the veteran striker this week for the March 25 qualifier against Bangladesh. Chhetri is third among active international scorers with 94,

New Delhi: Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri has decided to come out of his international retirement to help the national team in the FIFA friendly assignment scheduled this month, the sport's apex body in the country said on Thursday. Chhetri returns to the team, which he led for more than a decade, aged 40.

"Sunil Chhetri is back. The captain, leader, legend will return to the Indian national team for the FIFA International Window in March," the All India Football Federation (AIFF) wrote on its official 'X' handle. The move comes less than a year after he announced his retirement after a glorious career, leaving a huge void that is yet to be filled.

Chhetri retired after India's 0-0 draw against Kuwait in June last year -- a result that played a role in the team missing out on qualifying for the next round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

New Delhi: India senior men’s national team head coach Manolo Márquez announced his 26-member squad, including Sunil Chhetri, for the March FIFA International Window.

Sunil Chhetri has performed a retirement U-turn as he will be back in India colours during the March international window, AIFF announced on March 6. Chhetri retired from football in 2024.

The 40-year-old striker had announced his retirement from international football last year, having scored 94 goals for India.

FIFA window is of utmost importance to India, and the decision to recall Sunil Chhetri hasn't been well-received by Bhaichung Bhutia.

Described as "a wise decision" by the sport`s national federation, Sunil Chhetri`s return from international retirement at 40 is certainly an acknowledgement of his greatness in Indian football but more strikingly,