Will Antoine Griezmann make it to the 2026 World Cup with France? We analyze statistics, current events, and his role with Les Bleus on their way to the most important tournament on the planet.
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WILL SARPREET SINGH PLAY IN THE 2026 WORLD CUP?
Sarpreet Singh has become one of the most recognized names in New Zealand football. With his talent, technique, and vision, he has opened doors for other New Zealand players in Europe. In this article, we explore his career path, his latest statistics, interesting facts about his career, and his chances of playing in the 2026 World Cup—a dream that could change the history of New Zealand football.
The Rise of a Kiwi Promise
Sarpreet Singh was born on February 20, 1999, in Auckland, New Zealand, to Punjabi immigrants from India. From a young age, he displayed a natural connection with the ball, and his refined technique soon caught the eye of youth coaches. Unlike many Oceanic players, Singh was characterized by his creative style, closer to European football than to the traditional physicality of Oceania.
His professional debut came with Wellington Phoenix in the Australian A-League, where he quickly became one of the tournament's brightest prospects.
His ability to dribble, thread passes, and score goals from mid-range led him to be hailed as “the new face of New Zealand football.” The leap to Europe and the German challenge. In 2019, Sarpreet Singh took a historic step by signing for Bayern Munich II, the reserve team of the German giant. He thus became the first New Zealand player of Indian descent to sign with a Bundesliga club. Although his time with the first team was brief, his presence within the Bayern environment was symbolic: a player from Oceania training alongside figures like Lewandowski and Müller was not a common occurrence. He made his professional debut at 18 years old with Wellington Phoenix. He signed with Bayern Munich II in 2019. He won the German 3. Liga with Bayern II in 2020. He was loaned to Jahn Regensburg and Hansa Rostock to gain playing time. During his time in the German second division, Singh showed glimpses of his quality, standing out in His one-on-one skills and passing accuracy were his strengths. However, injuries hampered his consistency at times, a factor that has marked his career to this day. Even so, he never lost his ambition: to return to his best form and lead New Zealand to a World Cup, something the country hasn't achieved since 2010.
His present and options for the 2026 World Cup
In 2025, Sarpreet Singh is still active in Europe, playing for SSV Jahn Regensburg, where he has rediscovered his form. Although his career has had its ups and downs, the New Zealand midfielder has proven to be a quality player with good vision and a great ability to lead attacks.
With the New Zealand national team, Singh is a key player in the generation looking to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The All Whites are undergoing a renewal process with a more attacking approach, and Singh fits perfectly into that system. He is the natural link between midfield and attack, capable of creating opportunities and scoring goals in decisive moments.
Statistics and recent performance
In the 2024-2025 season, Singh has played in more than 30 league and cup matches, with 6 goals and 8 assists, in addition to an average of 2.3 key passes per game. With the New Zealand national team, he has participated in most of the qualifying matches, registering important goals in the initial phase against Tahiti and the Solomon Islands. Over 30 appearances for the New Zealand national team. Average of 2.3 key passes per game. 6 goals and 8 assists in the 2024-25 season. 80% pass accuracy in the attacking third. Experts agree that, if he maintains his fitness and confidence, Singh has everything he needs to be part of the final squad for the 2026 World Cup. At 26 years old, He would be at the ideal point of footballing maturity, and his leadership on the field is becoming increasingly evident. Furthermore, his European experience makes him an indispensable role model for a group of young players looking to make their mark on the global stage. New Zealand has the most accessible path in modern history to reach a World Cup, thanks to the increased number of slots for Oceania. If the All Whites qualify, it will be largely due to the creativity and talent of Sarpreet Singh.
Fun Facts, Playing Style, and Legacy
Beyond the statistics, Sarpreet Singh is a player with an inspiring story. He is the first footballer of Indian descent to play professionally in Germany, and also one of the few to represent New Zealand in top European leagues. His story is that of a dreamer who broke cultural and sporting barriers.
A Technical Talent with the Soul of a Creator
Sarpreet is an attacking midfielder with great vision. He likes to move between the lines, link up with the forwards, and find spaces where no one else sees them. His ball control and turning ability are reminiscent of classic number 10s, but with a modern and dynamic touch. Furthermore, he is a free-kick specialist, having scored several long-range goals with spin and pinpoint accuracy. He has been compared to Mesut Özil for his vision and style. His childhood idol was Andrés Iniesta. He speaks three languages: English, Hindi, and German. He enjoys playing guitar and practicing yoga in his free time. An interesting fact is that Sarpreet wasn't discovered by European scouts, but by Bayern Munich scouts who saw him in a viral video playing with Wellington Phoenix. His ability to elegantly evade opponents caught the attention of Bayern Munich analysts, who didn't hesitate to bring him to Germany for a trial. The rest is history. Off the field, he is known for his humility and his desire to proudly represent the Indian community in international football. He has participated in motivational talks and projects to promote grassroots football in New Zealand and Asia. Many young people see him as a symbol that talent can come from any corner of the world. Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup, Sarpreet Singh is more than a player: he is a bridge between cultures and an emblem of overcoming adversity. If he manages to lead New Zealand to the World Cup, his story could inspire a whole new generation of Oceanic and Asian footballers who dream of reaching the highest level. In short, Sarpreet Singh has everything he needs to shine at the 2026 World Cup: talent, experience, and a hunger to transcend. His presence would not only be important for New Zealand, but also for global football, as a symbol of diversity, technique, and passion. Time will tell if the Auckland midfielder manages to etch his name among the greats, but his journey is already worthy of admiration.
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