Som Kumar’s European Journey Leads to India Call-Up

Som Kumar’s long road through Slovenian football has led to a landmark moment: a first call-up to India’s senior national team, and a ticket to one of the most glamorous international windows in the country’s history.

The ND Slovan goalkeeper, who plays in Slovenia’s second tier, will fly to Bangalore on September 14 to join the initial training camp. He goes as a trailblazer. Kumar is the only overseas-based player in the squad who operates entirely outside the Indian domestic system, a rare outlier in a group built largely from the I-League and Indian Super League.

“Congratulations, Som! We are proud of you and wish you great success in the national team shirt!”

ND Slovan did not hide their delight. In an official statement, the club hailed the 21-year-old’s selection as “a great recognition for him and a special source of pride for ND Slovan,” adding that he will be part of the national team “during an international cycle in which India will also face two giants of world football, Brazil and Uruguay.” The message finished with a simple salute.

This is not an overnight success story. Kumar has been quietly building his career in Europe since 2020, learning his trade in the youth systems of Bravo, Krka and Olimpija Ljubljana. From there he earned senior terms with Radomlje, before stepping up at ND Slovan, where he has already made 17 competitive appearances.

Those minutes matter. They are the proof that his European route is more than a romantic idea. A commanding presence in goal, Kumar has had to earn trust in a foreign league, in a foreign language, with no guarantees that India would ever come calling. Now the call has arrived, and it lands at a moment when Indian football is about to step into the global spotlight.

Upcoming Fixtures

The schedule is brutal, and brilliant. India open their international series against Panama in Bengaluru on September 26. It is a serious test, but also a warm-up for what comes next.

• A week later, the Blue Tigers walk out in Kolkata to face Brazil on October 3.
• Three days after that, at the same venue, they meet Uruguay.

Two South American powerhouses, back-to-back, in one of Indian football’s most storied cities.

For a young goalkeeper still carving out his reputation, it is the ultimate examination. Brazil and Uruguay bring waves of movement, quick combinations, and forwards who punish hesitation. If Kumar gets his chance between the posts, every cross, every one‑on‑one, every decision with the ball at his feet will be judged at a different level.

Yet that is exactly why this call-up resonates beyond one player. His rise from Slovenian academies to the India dressing room signals that the national setup is willing to look further, to tap into pathways that were once considered out of reach. For Indian youngsters dreaming of Europe, Kumar is now a visible example: you can leave, develop, and still be seen.

The spotlight will soon swing to Bengaluru and then burn brightest in Kolkata. Somewhere in that glare, a goalkeeper from ND Slovan will be trying to turn a first call-up into something more permanent. Against Panama, Brazil and Uruguay, he could not ask for a louder stage.