The new-look second division of the men’s football league in the country, the 2025-26 Indian Football League, is set to begin on 27 February 2026, with 10 teams competing for the title and promotion to the top division of the Indian Super League (ISL). Aside from Churchill Brothers, the rest of the sides have confirmed their participation for the season, including newly promoted sides Chamari FC and third-division winners Diamond Harbour FC. The appeal against the relegation of Delhi FC and SC Bengaluru from the Indian Football League was rejected, so the pair will compete in the IFL 2.
Teams have built their squad to aim for the best, but the delayed season has disrupted preparation, with some teams like Shillong Lajong forced to play without foreigners, while others have failed to add the necessary quality or depth due to the crisis, bringing additional financial problems. Teams like Gokulam Kerala, who had players leaving at the last moment, have done their best amid hardship to organise a squad with notable foreigners returning and encouraging Indian signings. Diamond Harbour FC and Sreenidi Deccan have set up eye-catching squads, while Real Kashmir has established a good mix of foreigners and homegrown talents.
Here is the full squad list of all teams participating in the Indian Football League 2026:
Shillong Lajong
Goalkeepers: Ranit Sarkar, Wanteilang Malngiang, Siwel Rymbai, Lakpa Lama
Defenders: Rudra Ved, Samuel Muansang, Ephraim Lalremtluanga, Kenstar Kharshong, Aman Ahlawat, Saveme Tariang, Kitbok Khyriem, Overkindness Mawnai, Mebanaibok Kharbudnah
Midfielders: Gladdy Kharbuli, Lamlallian, Bless Vashum, Maxderidoff Wahlang, Damait Lyngdoh, Phrangki Buam, Kynsai Ryngkhlem, Abelson Jachi, Jakob Vanlalhlimpuia, Treimiki Lamurong
Forwards: Figo Syndai, Abhay Gurung, Everbrightson Sana, Deibormame Tongper, Manbhakupar Lawphniaw
Head Coach: Birendra Thapa
Aizawl FC
Goalkeepers: Vanlalhriatpuia, Lalhruai Tluanga, John Lalruatfela
Defenders: Laldanmawia, Stephen Lalrinfela, C Zomuanpuia, T Lalmuanawma, Rohmingthanga, Laldawngzuala, H Lalrempuia
Midfielders: JH Remlala, Lalawmpuia Sailo, Vanlalawmpuia, Eric Chhangte, K Vanlalhriatzuala, Laltlanzova, Isak Lalvenhima, H Lalruatfela
Forwards: Higor Gomes (foreigner), Felix Lalruatsanga, Lalhriatpuia, Malsawmzuala Tlangte Zomuansanga, Vincent Lalduhawma
Head Coach:
Gokulam Kerala FC
Goalkeepers: Rakshit Dagar, Bishorjit Singh, Shibin Raj Kunniyil, Kamaludheen
Defenders: Gursimrat Singh, Amid Arezou (foreigner), Harpreet Singh, Athul Unnikrishnan, Wungngayam Muirang, Laishram Singh, Sachu Siby, Thokchom Singh, Nidhin Krishna, Soyal Joshy
Midfielders: Asish Pradhan, Rishad PP, Lalramdinsanga Ralte, Rahul Raju, Samuel Kynshi, Kevisanyu Peseyie, Craig Mangkhanlian, Mirjalol Kasimov (foreigner), Edu Martínez (foreigner), Nil Perdomo, Albert Torras, Emil Benny, Shighil Nambrath, Naseeb Rahman
Forwards: Trijoy Dias, Komal Thatal, Thabiso Brown (foreigner), Seiminmang Manchong, Juan Carlos (foreigner), Akshunna Tyagi, Aman CK, Moses Lalrinzuala, John Kennedy (foreigner), Sachu Siby, Kevisanyu Peseyie
Head Coach: Derrick Pereira
Real Kashmir FC
Goalkeepers: Furqan Ahmad, Jetli Sorokhaibam
Defenders: Salam Ranjan, Omar Habib (foreigner), Sanatomba Singh, Hyder Yousuf, Shahid Nazir, Basit Bhat, Pardeep Singh,
Midfielders: Lethaolen Khongsai, Rohen Singh, Mamoud Oshie (foreigner), Mousa Qureshi, Kamal Issah (foreigner), Asrar Rehbar, Mohammad Inam
Forwards: Seijoseph Haokip, Fandje Touré (foreigner), Shedrack Charles (foreigner), Ahmad Dar, Aafreen Parray
Head Coach: Ishfaq Ahmed
Rajasthan United
Goalkeepers: James Kithan, Malla Thakuri, Dinesh Choudhary, Cedric Kouame (foreigner)
Defenders: Shafeel PP, Kynsai Khongsit, Gursimrat Singh Gill, Lalfelkima, Gautam Virwani, Novin Gurung, Atharv Dandekar
Midfielders: Pedro Astray, Alan Thapa, Seigoulun Khongsai
Forwards: Gerard Artigas, Jaideep Singh, Naoba Meitei, Thomyo Shimray, Pranjal Bhumij, Joseph Lalvenhima
Head Coach: Vikas Rawat
Dempo SC
Goalkeepers: Ashish Sibi
Defenders: Mohamed Ali, Saiesh Bagkar, Jose Luis Pena (foreigner), Darrell Mascarenhas, Daniel, Pruthvesh Pednekar, Aubin Kouakou (foreigner)
Midfielders: Kapil Hoble, Nestor Dias, Seigoumang Doungel, Ariston Costa, Sebastián Gutiérrez (foreigner), Amay Morajkar, Vieri Colaco, Vinay Harji, Knerkitalang Buam, Laximanrao Rane, Damián Peréz (foreigner)
Forwards: Shubham Rawat, Marcus Joseph (foreigner), Richmond Kwasi (foreigner)
Head Coach: Samir Naik
Sreenidi Deccan
Goalkeepers: Bhaskar Roy, Aryan Lamba, Adhil Faizal
Defenders: Jagdeep Singh, Gurmukh Singh, Deepak D P, Hadi Idrissou (foreigner), Abhash Thapa, Mohd Aqib, Hardik Bhatt, Muhammad Hammad
Midfielders: Pape Gassama (foreigner), Phalguni Singh, Brandon Vanlalremdika, Abhijith K, Lawmnasangzuala, Rashid CK, Lalromawia, Roly Bonevacia (foreigner), Lalthankhuma, Ajay Chhetri
Forwards: Paulo Cezar (foreigner), Fabrice Kah (foreigner), David Castaneda (foreigner), Emboklang Nongkhlaw, Lalbiakliana
Head Coach: Carlos Vaz
Diamond Harbour FC
Goalkeepers: Dheeraj Singh, Susanta Malick, Mohd Arbaz
Defenders: Naresh Singh, Sunil Benchamin, Robilal Mandi, Ajith Kumar, Melroy Assisi, Sunday Afolabi (foreigner), Nitesh Darjee
Midfielders: Bryce Miranda, Halicharan Narzary, Lalliansanga Rentlei, Pintu Mahato, Paul Ramfangzauva, Antonio Moyano (foreigner), Hugo Rodriguez (foreigner), Mohit Mittal
Forwards: Joby Justin, Luka Majcen (foreigner), Sahil Harijan, Samuel Lalmuanpuia, Aimar Adam, Girik Khosla, Akash Hembram, R Ramdinthara
Head Coach: Kibu Vicuna
Namdhari FC
Goalkeepers: Niraj Kumar, Jaita Singh, Nishan Singh, Najib Ibrahim (foreigner)
Defenders: Akashdeep Singh, Kamalpreet Singh, Manbir Singh, Ravinder Singh, Chanpreet Singh, Karan Sharma, Balkaran Singh, Gurshan Singh, Lamine Moro (foreigner)
Midfielders: Bhupinder Singh, Seilenthang Lotjem, Dharampreet Singh, Emanuel Lalchhanchhuaha, Adersh Mattummal, Ajmer Singh, Seigougin Chongloiis, Francis Addo (foreigner)
Forwards: Jaskaranpreet Singh, Manvir Singh, Abdoulaye Diallo (foreigner), Karandeep Singh, Aatma Singh
Head Coach: Harpreet Singh
Chanmari FC
Goalkeepers: RS Lallawmzuala, Zothanmawia, Lalhruaitluanga
Defenders: Lalhmangaihsanga, Malsawmtluanga, Lalrinchhana Tochhawng, Zothanpuia, Malsawmsanga Renthlei, K Lalruatdika, Laltluangliana, Kyle Degelman (foreigner)
Midfielders: Lalthangliana, Christopher Kamei, C Lalmuanpuia, Joel Lalramengmawia, Cvl Remtluanga, Crespo Vanlalhriatpuia, Michael Lalbiaksanga
Forwards: Suanngaihmuana, PC Rosangzuala, KC Malsawmsanga, J Lalruatsanga, Aron Vanlalrinchhana, Lalpekhlua, João Paula (foreigner),
Head Coach: Victor Lalbiakmawia
