The 2025-26 season has been an immensely chaotic one for Indian football as not only the top-flight, ISL, was disrupted, but also the other division of the football pyramid. However, the year 2026 is bringing in positivity as leagues are set for a restart, including the second-tier, which is now rebranded to the Indian Football League from the erstwhile I-League and in a new format this season due to the short period. However, the delay has been detrimental for most of the clubs in their necessary transfer plans amid financial and sporting crises. Hence, not every team has used the window properly, with some going for an all-Indian squad, while others have still managed to pull off top-quality transfers despite the challenges. Every club, except Churchill Brothers, have confirmed their participation in the league.
Here are all the transfers completed by clubs for the Indian Football League 2026 season
Aizawl FC
IN: K.Vanlalhriatzuala, Eric Chhangte, Vincent Lalduhawma, Rohmingthanga
OUT: Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia, Lalbiakdika, Samuel Lalmuanpuia, H Lalrempuia, Lalfelkima, Lalthankhuma, Zothanpuia Zothanpuia, Lalchhawnkima, Md Rafique Ali, Lalhrezuala Sailung, Augustine Lalrochana, Joel B Lalramchhana, Zothanpuia, Luis Rodríguez
The big blow for Aizawl FC was losing their star striker and I-League’s record goal-scorer for a single season, Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia, to ISL outfit NorthEast United, with him gaining too much spotlight to be held back from a lucrative destination. Another forward, Lalbiakdika, also signed for the Highlanders, further depleting their attack. Unfortunately, the former I-League winners have also seen big departures over the two windows for the season, but they are the club that unmask some of the brightest talents and they will be hoping to do so again.
Churchill Brothers
IN: Kinesh Singh
OUT: Wayde Lekay, Sebastián Gutiérrez, Lamgoulen Gou Hangshing, Trijoy Dias, Abdul Kadir, Kingslee Fernandes, Niraj Kumar, Maibam Deny Singh, Mohammad Sarif, Lesly Rebello, Alent Colaco, Thiyam Chingkheinganba, Adersh Mattummal, Lunminlen Haokip
Chanmari
IN: Zothanpuia, Christopher Kamei, Singte Kom George, Lalpekhlua, Vanlalrochhara, James Lalruatmawia, CVL Remtluanga, Joseph Laltluangpuia, Reuben Vanlalhriatzuala, Sawma Malsawmtluanga, Mesak Lalrinngheta, Malsawma Renthlei, Laltluangliana, Lalmuanpuia Chhangte, Johny Lalremruata, Crespo Vanlalhriatpuia, Aaron Vanlalrinchhana
OUT: Malsawmzuala, Paul Ramfangzauva, H.k Lalhruaitluanga
Along with Diamond Harbour FC, Chanmari are the other promoted side to the second division after coming second in the I-League 2. They are one of the few teams in the league that is expected to field an all Indian side, hence, all of their signings have been non-foreigners with the focus being on local talent scouting, much like the other mountainous clubs, Aizawl FC and Shillong Lajong and also Dempo and Namdhari.
Dempo SC
OUT: Didier Brossou, Shaher Shaheen, Marcus Joseph, Aaron Bareto, Knerkitalang Buam, Frevino Fernandes, Sangramjit Roy Chowdhury, Chinkhosiam Dimngel, Sheldon Fernandes, Wellyster Mendes, Juan Mera, Damián Peréz, Lukman Abegunrin, Shallum Pires, Sanwil D'Costa, Rohan Sharma
Diamond Harbour
IN: Sahil Harijan, Samuel Lalmuanpuia, Mohd Arbaz, Luka Majcen, Dheeraj Singh, Bright Enobakhare, Sunday Afolabi, Bryce Miranda, Halicharan Narzary (on loan), Mikel Kortazar, Wahengbam Luwang, Lalliansanga Rentlei, Mirshad Michu, Melroy Assisi, Tharpuia, Sairuatkima, Malsawmzuala, Marjit Singh, Amzard Khan
OUT: Clayton Silveira (signed but released), Sunil B, Liton Shil, Naro Hari Shrestha, Gani Nigam, Ragav Gupta, Aqib Nawab, William Lalgoulien, Mohit Singh Dhami, Subrata Santra, Subrata Santra, Lalsiem Chongloi, Debayan Hazra, Pawan Venkatrathnam, Debdyut Patra, Tuhin Sikdar, Deeprobhat Ghosh, Subhankar Adhikari, Debayan Hazra, Hemraj Bhujel, Wungngayam Muirang (signed but released)
There have been major additions for the I-League 2 champions and promoted side, Diamond Harbour, unleashing some high-profile signings to strengthen their squad. One of the competition’s deadliest strikers in recent memory, Luka Majcen, is the obvious name that catches the eye, with the attack also boasting one of the talented Indian forwards around, Sahil Harijan. The club has also roped in Bright Enobakhare, who took the ISL by storm in just one season with his pace and flair playing for East Bengal. Adding more pieces to an already exciting attack, Halicharan Narzary joins from Bengaluru FC on loan. On the other hand, Sunday Afolabi and Mikel Kortazar will toughen up things at the back as the Durand Cup runners-up probably look to be the most finely tuned ahead of the season.
Gokulam Kerala
IN: Trijoy Dias, Sachu Siby, Wungngayam Muirang, Mirjalol Kasimov, Naseeb Rahman (on loan), John Kennedy, Nili Perdomo, Mangku Kuki, Kamaludheen Kasim, Thabiso Brown, Kevisanyu Peseyie, Komal Thatal, Aman CK, Craig Mangkhanlian, Moses Lalrinzuala, Shighil Nambrath, Akshunna Tyagi, Gursimrat Singh, Harpreet Singh, Samuel Kynshi, Soyal Joshy, Jangjagin Kuki, Lalramdinsanga Ralte, Thokchom Singh
OUT: Albert Torras (signed but released), Matías Hernández (signed but released), Juan Carlos Rico (signed but released), Alfred Planas (signed but released), Edu Martínez (signed but released), Martín Cháves, Ranjeet Pandre, Tharpuia, Michael Soosairaj, Sergio Llamas, Siniša Stanisavić, Ignacio Abeledo, Suhair VP, Adama Niane, Abhijith K
Two-time league winners Gokulam Kerala have quite a chaotic window. They failed to keep hold of their five foreigners in the summer, with Albert Torras, Matías Hernández, Carlos Rico, Alfred Planas and Edu Martínez all leaving, adding to the list of already departed stars like Sergio Llamas, Siniša Stanisavić, Martín Cháves and Ignacio Abeledo. However, they have replaced them swiftly after calling back Thabiso Brown and Nili Perdomo while also announcing the arrival of former Mohammedan SC star man Mirjalol Kasimov and the Brazilian John Kennedy. As usual, the Malabarians have stressed the inclusion of young talents, mostly local, in the hope of fulfilling their dream of ISL promotion finally.
Namdhari FC
IN: Niraj Kumar
OUT: Gursimrat Singh, Harpreet Singh
Rajasthan United
IN: Lalfelkima, Vinil Poojary, Gursimrat Singh Gill, Kynsailang Khongsit, Pedro Astray, Abhishek Ambekar, Jaideep Singh, Jordan Lamela, Harmanjot Khabra, Abdul Ango, Liton Shil, Shafeel PP, Alan Thapa, Rahul Appu, Malla Thakuri, Tondomba Singh, Batskhemlang Thangkhiew, Akashdeep Singh, Lalfelkima Ralte, Joseph Lalvenhima, Surendra Singh, Hemba Meetei, Thomyo Shimray, Prajal Tushir, Lemmet Tangvah
OUT: Ebenezer Amoh (signed but released), Robinson Blandón (signed but released), Abdul Halik Hudu (signed but released), Martand Raina, Suhail Pasha, Abhash Thapa
Rajasthan United have to contend with two foreign signings for the 2025-26 season after their summer arrivals, Ebenezer Amoh, Robinson Blandón and Abdul Halik Hudu all left due to the league’s uncertainty. The Ghanaian pair eventually moved to Sporting Club Delhi in ISL. Nevertheless, Pedro Astray and the I-League's proven attacking midfielder, Jordan Lamela brings a lot of creativity and versatility to the side. Added by the introduction of Indian stars like Gursimrat Singh Gill, Abhishek Ambekar, Kynsailang Khongsit and the veteran Harmanjot Khabra, the Desert Warriors have a squad that can throw a significant challenge.
Real Kashmir
IN: Fandjé Touré, Habib Omar Fofana, Shedrack Charles, Mamoud Oshie, Abiodun Adetola, Tajamul Islam, Iqlak Fayaz, Hafiz Rehman, Saurabh Meher, Suhail Pasha, H.k Lalhruaitluanga, Calvin Rosario Baretto,
OUT: Seila Toure (signed but released), Sessegnon (signed but released), Suraj Mallick (signed but released), Marat Tarek (signed but released), N Rohen Singh (signed but released), Salam Singh (signed but released), Anjan Bista (signed but released), Abdou Karim Samb, Gnoheré Krizo, Paulo Cézar, Ramsanga, Mohd Aqib, Anjan Bista (signed but released), Muhammad Hammad, Lalramdinsanga Ralte, Faisal Ali, Modou Mbengue (signed but released), Eduardo Kau (signed but released)
Even though Real Kashmir witnessed a major foreign exodus, including those signed for the season due to the late I-League season, the Snow Leopards have pulled off a series of foreign signings to replace them, all from Africa. None so promising as Guinean winger Djibril Fandjé Touré, who played in the U17 World Cup hosted by India, then as a prospect. Left-footed Ivorian centre-back Habib Omar Fofana brings a unique trait to the defence, while Nigerian forward Shedrack Charles and Ghanaian midfielder Mamoud Oshie want to excel in their role.
Shillong Lajong
IN: Mebanaibok Kharbudnah, Wilbert Marbaniang, Jovial Lyngkhoi
OUT: Kynsailang Khongsit, Renan Paulinho, Daniel Goncalves, Douglas Tardin, Ronney Willson Kharbudon
Shillong Lajong have also several key players for the side, including Kynsailang Khongsit, who contributed two seasons at the club, joining fellow ISL side Rajasthan United and star centre-back Ronney Willson Kharbudon, who moved to FC Goa in ISL. Renan Paulinho, Daniel Goncalves and Douglas Tardin are some of the foreigners who have been released. Mebanaibok Kharbudnah, Wilbert Marbaniang and Jovial Lyngkhoi are the talent-filled signings this window.
Sreenidi Deccan
IN: Lalthankhuma, Abhijith K, Muhammad Hammad, Abhash Thapa, Abhijith K, Fabrice Kah, Hadi Idrissou, Bhaskar Roy, Rashid CK, Mohd Aqib, Hardik Bhatt, Lalthankhuma
OUT: Saurabh Meher, Angel Orelia, Gabriel Rosenberg, Lalnuntluanga, Ubaid CK, Kean Lewis, Arun Kumar D, Pawan Kumar, William, Faysal Shayesteh, Eli Sabiá, Abhishek Ambekar, Arijit Bagui
Just like most sides in the league, Sreenidi Deccan has gone for a complete overhaul, releasing a lot of players that became household names for the side in the last few seasons. Just as they have parted ways with key foreigners like star midfielder Faysal Shayesteh, but also top Indian contributors like Abhishek Ambekar, Gabriel Rosenberg and Ubaid CK. Their replacement has not been high-profile names but youth-driven. Fabrice Kah and Hadi Idrissou are the two new foreign arrivals for the season.
