Kannur, 02 June (H.S.): Football fans in Kerala may find themselves cheering for Qatar at the next FIFA World Cup, and the reason is a young footballer with roots in Kannur.

Nineteen-year-old Tahseen Mohammed, whose family hails from Thalassery in Kerala’s Kannur district, is poised to become the first Malayali footballer to be part of a FIFA World Cup squad.

Tahseen, who plays for Qatar Stars League club Al Duhail, has emerged as one of the country’s most promising young talents. His inclusion in Qatar’s World Cup plans has generated excitement not only in his adopted homeland but also among football enthusiasts in Kerala, who are eager to witness a player of Malayali origin on football’s biggest stage.

Born and raised in Doha, Tahseen is the son of Jamsheed and Shaima, who moved to Qatar from Kerala in 1996. Although his roots remain firmly connected to Kannur, Qatar has been the centre of his upbringing and footballing journey. Having acquired Qatari citizenship, Tahseen proudly represents the Gulf nation and considers it his home.

His football career began at an early age through Qatar’s renowned Aspire Academy, one of the world’s leading football development institutions. The academy has played a crucial role in nurturing several players who have gone on to represent Qatar at the highest level, and Tahseen is the latest product of its successful youth system.

Over the years, he has represented Qatar in various age-group teams, including the Under-16, Under-17 and Under-19 national sides. His consistent performances have earned him recognition as one of the brightest prospects in Qatari football.

Primarily a left winger, Tahseen is known for his pace, dribbling ability and flair in one-on-one situations. His knack for beating defenders, creating scoring opportunities and driving attacks from the flank has made him a standout performer in youth and domestic competitions.

Football runs in the family. His father, Jamsheed, was a talented footballer who represented Calicut University during his playing days and remains one of Tahseen’s biggest inspirations.

As Qatar prepares for its World Cup campaign, football fans in Kerala will have an additional reason to follow the team closely — the prospect of seeing a young player with roots in Thalassery making history on football’s grandest stage.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman