Did Nishan Velupillay play today? Detailing Indian-origin player’s performance in Australia vs Turkey
Australian footballer Nishan Velupillay etched his name into history on Sunday, June 14, becoming the first player of Indian origin to appear in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He spent more than 30 minutes on the pitch as Australia produced one of the tournament’s early upsets, beating Turkiye 2-0 in their Group D opener.
Turkiye were making their first appearance at a FIFA World Cup in 24 years, and Australia made sure it was not a comfortable one. Nestory Irankunda put the Socceroos ahead in the 27th minute with a brilliant finish on the counter-attack.
He cushioned the ball with a deft touch, beat a defender, and slotted it past the near post with clinical precision. Connor Metcalfe wrapped up the victory in the 75th minute after scoring from almost 20 yards.
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How did Nishan Velupillay perform against Turkiye?
Nishan, 25, entered the fray in the 61st minute as a replacement for goalscorer Irankunda on the right side. Born to an Anglo-Indian mother, Gillian Velupillay, Nishan had been one of Australia’s most exciting young talents heading into the tournament.
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However, given the match circumstances, he was asked to fulfill a disciplined defensive role on this occasion. He took a little time to settle into the pace of the match but stayed composed, sat deep when required and played his part in helping Australia see out the win without conceding.
Nishan is a product of the Melbourne Victory’s academy system, and he went on to earn his senior Australia debut in 2024 during a World Cup qualifier against China. He scored seven minutes after coming on to help seal a 3-1 victory.
That debut goal set off a rapid rise. He has now made eight international appearances, including Sunday’s, and has scored three times, with all three goals coming in World Cup qualifying matches.
Those contributions were enough to convince head coach Tony Popovic to include him in Australia’s final 26-man squad for the tournament.
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What comes next for Australia?
Australia will look to build on this result when they return to action on Friday, June 19, facing the United States in their next Group D fixture. For Velupillay, Sunday was a learning experience, a first taste of a World Cup stage that he will want to make count more emphatically next time.
