This list of foreign football players in India consists of players who are currently playing or have played in India, either in top division leagues like Indian Super League, Indian Football League (formerly I-League) (), I-League 2, I-League 3 or in regional competitions such as Calcutta Football League, Goa Football League, etc. alongside domestic knock-out tournaments such as the IFA Shield and Durand Cup.
All these players have joined or played or contracted as foreign recruit or footballer for the football clubs all over India. The following players must meet both of the following criteria: A player who joined any Indian football club (irrespective of whether he made an appearance for the team or not). A player is considered foreign if he is not eligible to play for the India national team. Bold denotes players who have appeared or included in the squad in any edition of the FIFA World Cup.
Naturalized player(s)
East Pakistan Balai Dey – East Bengal FC (1965–1967) Tarapada Ray – East Bengal FC (1954–1955)
Japan Arata Izumi – East Bengal FC (2006–2007) Mahindra United (2007–2009) Pune FC (2009–2015) Atlético de Kolkata (2015) Mumbai FC (2016) FC Pune City (2016) NEROCA FC (2017) Kerala Blasters FC (2017–2018)
Australia
Ryan Williams – Bengaluru FC (2023–present)
Afghanistan Ahmad Hatifi – Mumbai F.C. (2013–2014) Balal Arezou – Churchill Brothers SC (2013) Djelaludin Sharityar – Mumbai F.C. (2017) Farshad Noor – Gokulam Kerala FC (2022–2023) Faysal Shayesteh – Gokulam Kerala F.C. (2017–2018) Hamidullah Karimi – Delhi United FC (2015–2017) Meghe United (2018) Hashmatullah Barakzai – Mumbai F.C. (2013) Ismail Aseel – FC Kerala (2018–2019) Kalighat Milan Sangha (2019–2020) Jamil Nasiri – Mohammedan Sporting (2019–2020) Maruf Fazly – Hindustan F.C. (2018–2020) Masih Saighani – Aizawl F.C. (2017–2018), Chennaiyin F.C. (2019–2020) Mohammad Mashriqi – Bhawanipore FC (2013–2014) Mujtaba Faiz – Air India FC (2013) Sandjar Ahmadi – Mumbai F.C. (2013–2014) Sharif Mukhammad – Gokulam Kerala FC (2020–2022), Churchill Brothers FC (2022-2023) Zohib Islam Amiri – Mumbai F.C. (2011–2014) Dempo SC (2014–2015) FC Goa (2014) DSK Shivajians F.C. (2015–2016) Chennai City F.C. (2017) Gokulam Kerala F.C. (2019–2020) Real Kashmir FC (2021)
Albania Armando Sadiku – Mohun Bagan SG (2023–24), FC Goa (2024-2025)
Algeria Yannis Bessaa – NEROCA FC (2020–2021)
Andorra
Óscar Sonejee – Churchill Brothers SC (2008)
Angola
Amestrong Alexandré – Hindustan FC (2017–2018) Vajra United (2019–2020)
Argentina Alexis Gómez – Sudeva Delhi FC (2023) Mohammedan SC (2023-2025) Diego Bielkiewicz – Rajasthan United FC (2021–2022) Diego Colotto – FC Pune City (2015–2016) Diego Nadaya – Mumbai City F.C. (2014–2015) Fabricio Ortiz – Gokulam Kerala F.C. (2018) Facundo Cardozo – Mumbai City FC (2016) Facundo Pereyra – Kerala Blasters FC (2020–2021) Gastón Sangoy – Mumbai City FC (2016) Germán Gonzalo Cabrera – Vasco S.C. (2013) Gustavo Oberman – FC Pune City (2016) Javier López – North East United FC (2015–2016) Jorge Pereyra Díaz – Kerala Blasters FC (2021–2022) Mumbai City FC (2022–2024); (2025-Present) Bengaluru FC (2024-2025) Juan Carlos Nellar – Gokulam Kerala FC (2022–present) Julian Camino – East Bengal F.C. (1988) Martín Pérez Guedes – Odisha FC (2019–2020) Matías Defederico – Mumbai City FC (2016) Matías Verón – Aizawl FC (2020); (2022–2023) Muthoot Football Academy (2022) George Telegraph SC (2022) Mauro dos Santos – Rajasthan United FC (2022) Maximiliano Álvarez – Chirag United Kerala FC (2008–2009) Maximiliano Barreiro – NorthEast United FC (2019–2020) Nicolás Vélez – NorthEast United FC (2015) Omar Sebastián Monesterolo – East Bengal F.C. (2009–2010) Robertino Pugliara – FC Pune City (2017–2018)
Armenia Apoula Edël Bete – ATK (2014) Chennaiyin F.C. (2015) FC Pune City (2016) Emil Vartazarian – Mohammedan S.C. (2001–2002) Bengal Mumbai FC (2003–2004)
Australia Aaron Evans – NorthEast United FC (2022–2023) Aleksandar Jovanovic – Bengaluru FC (2022–2025) Andrew Barisic – East Bengal FC (2013) Kerala Blasters FC (2014) Antun Kovacic – Churchill Brothers SC (2011–2012) Aryn Williams – NEROCA FC (2017–2019) Brendan Hamill – Mohun Bagan SG (2022–2024) Cameron Watson – Bengaluru FC (2016–2017) Mohun Bagan (2018) Chris Herd – Chennaiyin FC (2018–2019) Chris Payne – East Bengal FC (2017) Daniell Zeleny – Mohun Bagan (2011–2012) Churchill Brothers (2014) Dario Vidošić – ATK (2019–2020) David Williams – ATK (2019–2020) Mohun Bagan SG (2020–2022) Dimitri Petratos – Mohun Bagan SG (2022–present) Diogo Ferreira – Mohun Bagan (2017) Dylan Fox – NorthEast United FC (2020–2021) FC Goa (2021–2022) Eli Babalj – ATK (2018) Emile Demey – Fateh Hyderabad A.F.C. (2018–2019) Erik Paartalu – Bengaluru FC (2017–2021) Harry Sawyer – Jamshedpur FC (2022–2023) Jacob Tratt – Odisha FC (2020–2021) James Donachie – FC Goa (2020–2021) James Meyer – Pune FC (2013–2014) Jamie Maclaren – Mohun Bagan (2024–present) Jason Cummings – Mohun Bagan SG (2023–present) Jason Jude Starr – Sudeva Moonlight FC (2019–2020) Jerrad Tyson – Chennai City FC (2018) Joel Chianese – Hyderabad FC (2020–2023) Jordan Murray – Kerala Blasters FC (2020–2021) Jamshedpur FC (2021–2022) Jordan O'Doherty – East Bengal FC (2022–2023) Josh Maguire – Sporting Clube De Goa (2010–2011) Keegan Nash – Prayag United SC (2009) Matthew Foschini – Salgaocar SC (2013–2014) Matthew Grbesa – United Sports Club (2009–2010) Matthew Mayora – Southern Samity (2012) Shillong Lajong FC (2012) Michael Matricciani – Chirag United Kerala (2011–2012) Milan Susak – East Bengal FC (2014–2015) Mirjan Pavlović – Pune FC (2014) Nicholas Andrew Ward – NEROCA FC (2018–2019) Nick Fitzgerald – Jamshedpur FC (2020–2021) Okwy Diamondstar – Mohun Bagan (2010–2011) Osama Malik – Odisha FC (2022–2023) Patrick Flottmann – NorthEast United FC (2021–2022) Rostyn Griffiths – Mumbai City FC (2022–2024) Scott Neville – SC East Bengal (2020–2021) Sean Rooney – Salgaocar SC (2012) Bengaluru FC (2013–2015) Simon Colosimo – Dempo SC (2013–2014) Simon Storey – Mohun Bagan (2011–2012) Srećko Mitrović – East Bengal FC (2009–2010) Steve Hayes – United Sikkim FC (2013) Tim Cahill –Jamshedpur FC (2018–2019) Tolgay Özbey – East Bengal FC (2010–2012) Mohun Bagan (2012–2013) Mohammedan Sporting (2013) FC Goa (2014) Dempo SC (2014–2015) Tomi Juric – NorthEast United FC (2024) Tomislav Mrcela – SC East Bengal (2021–2022) Travis Paul Major – RoundGlass Punjab (2021–2022)
Austria Marko Stanković – FC Pune City (2017–2019) Hyderabad FC (2019–2020) Emmanuel Akwuegbu – Sporting Clube De Goa (2010–2011)Federation Cup: Sporting Clube De Goa's Hat-Trick Scorer Emmanuel Akwuegbu Believes The Team Can Go Far In The Federation Cup . Goal.com. Marco Sahanek – NorthEast United (2022) Marc Andre Schmerböck – Mohammedan Sporting (2025)
Bahrain Mahmood Mahdi Al-Ajmi – Gokulam Kerala FC (2018) Mohammed Nabeel – Air India FC (2009–2010) Thiago Fernandes – Gokulam Kerala F.C. (2018)
Bangladesh Syed Ali Ahmed – Mohammedan Sporting (19??–1910) Syed Abdus Samad – Calcutta Town Club (1912–1915) Calcutta Orients Club (1918) Mohammedan Sporting (1933–1938) Habibullah Bahar Chowdhury – Mohammedan Sporting (1930s) Sirajuddin – Mohammedan Sporting Club (1930–1935; 1937–1941) Kalighat FC (1936) Abbas Mirza – Mohammedan Sporting Club (1934–1939) Calcutta Customs (1940s) Romizuddin Ahmed – East Bengal F.C. (1931–1935) Mohammedan Sporting Club (1931) Rashid Ahmed – Kalighat FC (1933–1935) Mohammedan Sporting Club (1936–1937) Abdur Rahman – Mohammedan Sporting (1936–1941) Eastern Railway FC (1942–19??) Taslimuddin Ahmed – Mohammedan Sporting Club (1936–1947) B. Roy Chowdhury – East Bengal F.C. (1938) Mohun Bagan (1939–1942) Mohammad Shahjahan – Mohammedan Sporting Club (1938–1939) East Bengal F.C. (1940–1947) Masudur Rahman – Mohammedan Sporting Club (1932–1938) East Bengal (1939–??) Mohun Bagan (19??–??) Khondkar Nasim Ahmed – Mohammedan Sporting Club (1940s) Aryan FC (1940–1947) Alauddin Khan – East Bengal Club (1942) Eastern Railway FC (1943–1947) Motahar Ali Khan – George Telegraph (1942–1944) Mohammedan Sporting (1944–1947) Illias Uddin Ahmed – Mohammedan Sporting Club (1945–1946) Wajeed Ali Miazi – Mohammedan Sporting Club (1945–1946) George Macwa – Mohammedan Sporting Club (1955) Khandoker Wasim Iqbal – East Bengal (1987–1988) Monem Munna – East Bengal F.C. (1991) (1993) (1998) Sheikh Mohammad Aslam – East Bengal FC (1991) Golam Mohammad Gaus – East Bengal F.C. (1991) Rizvi Karim Rumi – East Bengal F.C. (1991) Mohammed Jewel Rana – Mohammedan Sporting Club (1991) Mohun Bagan (1998–2000) Kaiser Hamid – Mohammedan Sporting (1991)Looking back into Bangladesh football in the 80s weeklyblitz.net. Retrieved 19 August 2021 Rezaul Karim Rehan – Mohammedan Sporting (1991) SM Salahuddin – Mohammedan Sporting (1991) Mohammed Ponir – Mohammedan Sporting (1991) Rumman Bin Wali Sabbir – Mohammedan Sporting Club (1991) Nurul Haque Manik – Mohammedan Sporting Club (1991) Rakib Hossain – East Bengal F.C. (1995) Mizanur Rahman Mizan – East Bengal F.C. (1995) Monwar Hossain Munna – Mahindra United FC (1998) Alfaz Ahmed – Mohun Bagan (2000–2001) Imtiaz Ahmed Nakib – Mohun Bagan (2000–2001) Mohammed Ali Reza – Tollygunge Agragami FC (2001) Mamunul Islam – Athletico De Kolkata (2014) Jamal Bhuyan – Mohammedan Sporting Club (2020–2021)
Barbados Samuel Matthew Gibson – Bhawanipore FC (2011–2012)
Bermuda Keith Jennings – FC Kochin (1998–2000) Eugene Dean – FC Kochin (1998–1999)
Belarus Dzmitry Kowb – Minerva Punjab FC (2017) Ivan Veras – Aizawl FC (2023–present)
Belgium Benjamin Lambot – NorthEast United FC (2020–2021) Kristof Van Hout – Delhi Dynamos F.C. (2014–2015) Robin Bounougou Edoa – Pune F.C. (2007–2008) Wim Raymaekers – Delhi Dynamos F.C. (2014–2015)
Benin Coffi Edem Agbessi – Mohun Bagan (2005–2006) Obinna Winners Onyia – FC Kochin (2000–2001) Romuald Boco – Kalyani Bharat FC (2015)
Bhutan Chencho Gyeltshen – Minerva Punjab FC (2017–2018) Bengaluru FC (2018–2019) NEROCA FC (2019) RoundGlass Punjab FC (2020–2021) Kerala Blasters FC (2021–2022) Lhendup Dorji – Lonestar Kashmir F.C. (2019–2020) Chencho Nio – Royal Wahingdoh (2011–2012) Luangmual F.C. (2012–2013) Chencho Dorji – Royal Wahingdoh FC (2011–2012) Chimi Dorji – FC Kerala (2018–2019) Choki Wangchuk – ARA F.C. (2018–2020) Tshering Dorji – Madhya Bharat SC (2018) Aizawl F.C. (2019) South United F.C. (2019–2020) Sonam Tenzin – Buddhist Blue Stars (2004–2013) Kezang Dorji – Khemat FC Uppa (2016–2017) Capital Complex FC (2019–2020) Lungtok Dawa – Quartz F.C. (2018–2019) Biren Basnet – Kenkre F.C. (2017) Quartz F.C. (2018–2019) Karma Shedrup Tshering – Gangtok Himalayan SC (2013) Jigme Tshering Dorji – Muthoot FA (2022–present)
Bosnia and Herzegovina Srećko Mitrović – East Bengal FC (2009–2010) Nedo Turković – NEROCA FC (2017–2018) Saša Kolunija – DSK Shivajians (2016–2017) Nenad Novaković – Churchill Brothers S.C. (2018–2019) Vladimir Molerović – Chennai City FC (2020–2021) Enes Sipović – Chennaiyin FC (2020–2021) Kerala Blasters FC (2021–2022) Ismar Tandir – Mohamedan Sporting (2021–2022) Adnan Šećerović – RoundGlass Punjab FC (2022–present)
Botswana Ofentse Nato – Atlético de Kolkata (2014–2016)
Bulgaria Dimitar Berbetov – Kerala Blasters FC (2017) Georji Ventseslavov Bizev – Chirag United Kerala (2006–2007)
Brazil Adilson Carlos – NorthEast United FC (2017) Alex Willian – Mumbai F.C. (2017) André Luiz Rodrigues – Ozone FC (2018) Alex Monteiro Lima – Jamshedpur FC (2020–2022) East Bengal Club (2022) Amaury Nunes – Churchill Brothers S.C. (2010–2011) André Santos – FC Goa (2014) Anderson Reberio – Dempo S.C. (1998–1999) Alan Henrique Costa – Bengaluru FC (2021–present) Roberto Carlos – Delhi Dynamos FC (2015) Cleiton Silva – Bengaluru FC (2020–2022) East Bengal Club (2022–present)