"I've had quite a few people tell me that I am the first Sikh footballer at the World Cup," Sarpreet Singh said. "I carry a huge responsibility and pride." That's not a line from a promotional video — it's the weight of a player who's actually earned the moment.
Singh opens his 2026 World Cup campaign on Monday when New Zealand face Iran in Group G. At 27, he arrives here having clawed his way back from a medial collateral ligament injury suffered in February that threatened his entire tournament. Eight weeks out. A race against the clock. He made it.
From the Bundesliga to Belgrade to the World Cup
The career path is worth following because it's genuinely unusual. Born in Auckland to Punjabi parents, Singh made his senior debut in Australia's top division at 16, joined Wellington Phoenix, and in 2019 became the first player of Indian descent to play in Germany's Bundesliga when he turned out for Bayern Munich. He made his first senior start under Hansi Flick against SC Freiburg and was part of the squad that won the Bundesliga title in 2019-20.
That's not a footnote. That's a serious football education.
Since then — Portuguese football with União de Leiria, a stint at FK TSC in Serbia's SuperLiga, a loan back to Wellington Phoenix this year. The trajectory isn't linear, but it's the résumé of someone who has kept playing and kept adapting. He has 24 caps and three international goals heading into this tournament.
He also scored against Kenya and assisted both goals in a 2-1 win over India at the 2018 Intercontinental Cup in Mumbai — a detail that won't be lost on the millions in India who'll be watching New Zealand's group games closely.
New Zealand's group situation is genuinely difficult
Ranked 85th in the world, the All Whites are in Group G alongside Iran, Belgium and Egypt. There is no soft opener, no gimme fixture. Every match is a fight, and New Zealand's betting odds reflect exactly that — they are heavy outsiders to advance.
But this is only New Zealand's third World Cup appearance. In 2010, they went unbeaten through the group stage, drawing with Slovakia, Italy and Paraguay. The memory of that run exists for a reason. They know how to be disciplined, organised and awkward to break down.
- New Zealand's opening match: vs Iran, Monday
- Group G rivals: Belgium and Egypt
- World Cup appearances: 1982, 2010, 2026
- Singh's caps: 24 | Goals: 3
Singh put it plainly: "Our biggest goal is to get out of the group. We might go a little under the radar for some people, but hopefully we can deliver strong performances and do something special."
At 85th in the world, going under the radar isn't spin — it's just accurate. Whether that anonymity becomes an asset depends on how quickly Singh and his teammates find their feet against opposition with far more World Cup pedigree.
