The squad building for all 14 ISL teams set to participate in the 2025/26 ISL season was severely affected due to months of delay in restarting the league. Some clubs like Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal FC and the new teams in the league have been largely unaffected by the situation either due to their financial power, stability in team building or shrewd business. However, for most clubs, it was a period of financial uncertainty, which led to the temporary suspension of operation and take pay cut measures. It also led to a massive foreign talent exodus from the league, including those stars who have defined ISL over the years. Some teams like Odisha FC and Mohammedan SC have been depleted significantly. In all, the league in truncated format this season will have uneven squads for most of the teams.
Here is the full squad list for all 14 teams in the 2025-26 ISL season:
Bengaluru FC
Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Sahil Poonia, Lalthuammawia Ralte, Jaspreet Singh
Defenders: Rahul Bheke, Nikhil Poojary, Naorem Roshan, Chinglensana Singh, Mohammed Salah, Namgyal Bhutia
Midfielders: Shivaldo Singh, Vinith Venkatesh, Suresh Wangjam, Lalremtluanga, Soham Varshneya, Braian Sánchez (foreigner), Sirozhiddin Kuziev (foreigner)
Forwards: Ashique Kuruniyan, Siva Sakthi Narayanan, Sunil Chhetri, Ryan Williams, Kelvin Singh, Monirul Molla
Head Coach: Renedy Singh
Due to the ISL delay, Bengaluru FC was severely affected, having to lose out on their foreign centre-back signing, Salaheddine Bahi, which leaves them with an all-Indian defence. It also reduces them to just two overseas players overall, as Ryan Williams has received his Indian passport, changing his nationality from Australia and won’t be counted in the foreign quota. There are four goalkeepers registered with the squad, including Sahil Poonia, who extended his stay with the club and Jaspreet Singh, who is a new signing from Namdhari FC, both playing back-up to the ever-present Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. The Blues are set to be coached by Renedy Singh after letting go of Gerard Zaragoza following their exit from the Super Cup. The club’s evergreen captain, Sunil Chhetri, will experience his 11th and probably his final season in ISL, his ninth with Bengaluru FC, aged 41.
Chennaiyin FC
Goalkeepers: Mohammad Nawaz, Samik Mitra, Mohanraj K
Defenders: PC Laldinpuia, Elsinho (foreigner), Mandar Rao Desai, Vignesh Dakshinamurthy, Ankit Mukherjee, Pritam Kotal, Laldinliana Renthlei, SK Rajjak Ali, John Manuel Pereira, Raj Basfore, Eduardo Kau (foreigner)
Midfielders: Jiteshwor Singh, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Raman Singh, Jitendra Singh, Alberto Noguera (foreigner), Mohammed Ali Bemammer (foreigner), Kingsley Fernandes, Karthick Thirumalai, Solaimalai R
Forwards: Farukh Choudhary, Gurkirat Singh, Iñigo Martin (foreigner), Daniel Chima (foreigner), Irfan Yadwad, Imran Khan, Vivek S
Head Coach: Clifford Miranda
Chennaiyin FC have organised a stacked squad for the season after rejuvenating itself in the winter window. ISL stars like Mohammed Ali Bemammer and Alberto Noguera strengthen the midfield, while Eduardo Kau is a significant addition to the backline already containing Elsinho. That area of the pitch has nice depth as well as attack, which contains the new signing, Inigo Martin, set to be the provider for Daniel Chima Chukwu upfront. There are many youngsters in the squad, resulting from the promotion of many junior players to the senior team. Like Bengaluru FC, the Marina Machans will be managed by an Indian coach in Clifford Miranda, who stirred heads by winning the Super Cup with Odisha FC and working as an assistant for successful Mohun Bagan and Mumbai City teams in the past couple of seasons, also briefly taking charge of the U-20 men’s national team. Chennaiyin have completed the foreign quota with six foreign players available.
East Bengal FC
Goalkeepers: Prabhsukhan Gill, Debjit Majumder, Gourab Shaw
Defenders: Mohammad Rakip, Provat Lakra, Anwar Ali, Lalchungnunga, Kevin Sibille (foreigner), Martand Raina, Jay Gupta
Midfielders: Jeakson Singh, Mahesh Naorem, Nandhakumar Sekar, Saúl Crespo (foreigner), Souvik Chakrabarti, Edmund Lalrindika, Tanmay Das, PV Vishnu, Ramsanga, Aman C. K, Miguel Figueira (foreigner), Mohammed Rashid (foreigner)
Forwards: Bipin Singh, David Lalhlansanga, Youssef Ezzejjari (foreigner), Jesin TK, Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Sayan Banerjee
Head Coach: Oscar Bruzon
East Bengal FC has made another squad overhaul for the new season, including signing up a new striker, Youssef Ezzejjari, despite losing out on the two new arrivals in the position. The attack looks formidable with the introduction of one of ISL’s star wingers, Bipin Singh and Jerry Mawihmingthanga, looking to combine with talents like David Lalhlansanga and Sayan Banerjee. Star playmaker Miguel Figueira is the highlight transfer of all and he, alongside Mohammed Rashid and the I-League’s best midfielder, Edmund Lalrindika, make a promising midfield already containing Jeakson Singh, Saul Crespo and Souvik Chakrabarti. The Red and Gold’s defence is also looking solid after a long time, with Kevin Sibille forming a core partnership with Anwar Ali at the center-back while Jay Gupta is set to ignite the left flank. The team is under the tutelage of Oscar Bruzon, who will oversee his first full season with the club.
FC Goa
Goalkeepers: Hrithik Tiwari, Lara Sharma, Bob Jackson
Defenders: Aakash Sangwan, Nim Dorjee, Sandesh Jhingan, Ronney Willson, Seriton Fernandes, Pol Moreno (foreigner), Boris Thangjam, Jerry Lalrinzuala
Midfielders: Ayush Chhetri, Brison Fernandes, Dejan Drazic (foreigner), Mohammad Yasir, Nemil Valiyattil, Udanata Singh, Harsh Patre, Abdul Rabeeh, Sahil Tavora
Forwards: Daniel Lalhlimpuia, Ishan Pandita
Head Coach: Manolo Marquez
The back-to-back Super Cup success for FC Goa was overshadowed by their squad getting depleted following the competition due to the ISL crisis. Borja Herrera, Iker Guarrotxena, David Timor, Javi Siverio, along with other departures in the summer has left the Gaurs with just two foreigners, Pol Moreno and Dejan Drazic, for the 2025-26 season. Manolo Marquez’s side is also pretty light in the central midfield and the striker department, as Ishan Pandita, returning to the club after six years, is the only recognisable number nine in the squad. Still, FC Goa has fulfilled their target of the season by getting the AFC Champions League 2 qualifying slot once again, so they will not be in desperation for anything this season.
SC Delhi
Goalkeepers: Karanjit Singh, Vishal Yadav, Nora Fernandes
Defenders: Mohammed Rafi, Alex Saji, Lamgoulen Hangshing, Clarence Fernandes, Sanatomba Singh, Rafael Ribeiro (foreigner), Manoj Mohammed, Ashutosh Mehta
Midfielders: Ayush Adhikari, Ramhlunchhunga, Isaac Vanmalsawma, Mohammed Azhar, Ebenezer Amoh (foreigner), Abdul Halik Hudu (foreigner)
Forwards: Alan Saji, Joseph Sunny, Augustine Lalrochana, Sourav K, Devendra Murgaonkar, Victor Britto, Mohammed Aimen, Matija Babović (foreigner)
Head Coach: Tomasz Tchórz
The new franchise, Sporting Club Delhi, rebranded from Hyderabad FC, has also assembled a noteworthy squad for the season despite experiencing a period of league uncertainty. The team have retained most of the players from erstwhile Hyderabad FC and added new players to the list for a blend of experience and fresh ideas. I-League stars like Ebenezer Amoh, Abdul Halik Hudu and Matija Babović hope to give different dynamism to the squad, while ISL old guards like Karanjit Singh, Ashutosh Mehta and Isaac Vanmalsawma, with the proven talents like the twin brothers from Kerala Blasters, Mohammed Azhar and Mohammed Aimen, among others, will give familiarity to the side. Their coach, Tomasz Tchórz, has been the interim boss at Blasters and also worked at the youth level there, so he will be a crucial figure for Delhi.
Jamshedpur FC
Goalkeepers: Albino Gomes, Ayush Jena, Vishal Yadav, Amrit Gope
Defenders: Lazar Ćirković (foreigner), Stephen Eze (foreigner), Muhammed Uvais, Praful Kumar, Pratik Chaudhari, Kartik Choudhary, Sarthak Golui, Mark Zothanpuia
Midfielders: Germanpreet Singh, Pronay Halder, Rei Tachikawa (foreigner), Mobashir Rahman, Sourav Das, Lalhriatpuia Chawngthu, Nikola Stojanovic (foreigner), Gabriel Rosenberg
Forwards: Vincy Barretto, Madih Talal (foreigner), Sanan Mohammed, Ritwik Das, Sreekuttan VS, Manvir Singh, Nikhil Barla, Raphaël Messi Bouli (foreigner)
Head Coach: Owen Coyle
The biggest headline for Jamshedpur FC for the 2025-26 season was the return of their 2022 Shield-winning coach, Owen Coyle and strategic additions to the squad as the Men of Steel make their intentions clear. All departments have gotten an upgrade with proven talents poached from the other ISL sides, bringing their experience and quality. The most interesting acquisitions have been in the attacking department, which has been a weakness for the side, with the purchase of Raphaël Messi Bouli, Vincy Barretto and Madih Talal adding pace, power and creativity. At the same time, they have been defensively composed while Nikola Stojanovic and Gabriel Rosenberg stitch up the middle of the park.
Kerala Blasters FC
Goalkeepers: Sachin Suresh, Nora Fernandes, Arsh Shaikh, Alsabith T
Defenders: Jaganath Jayan, Aibanbha Dohling, Bikash Yumnam, Hormipam Ruivah, Naocha Singh, Oumar Bah (foreigner), Sandeep Singh, Muhammed Saheef, Sumit Sharma
Midfielders: Freddy Lallawmawma, Yoihenba Meitei, Danish Farooq, Vibin Mohanan, Rowllin Borges, Matías Hernández (foreigner), Ebindas Yesudas, Adnan Salahudeen, Marlon Roos-Trujillo (foreigner)
Forwards: R Lalthanmawia, Víctor Bertomeu (foreigner), Sreekuttan MS, Muhammad Ajsal, Nihal Sudeesh, Korou Singh, Kévin Yoke (foreigner),
Head Coach: David Catala
The situation of Kerala Blasters has been a strange one because of the circumstances caused by the ISL delay. On one hand, the club has lost their superstar players, Noah Sadaoui and even club captain Adrian Luna, for the season, amid on loan, while on the other side they have made signings that could replace them properly or flop. Other than the foreign introductions and Rowllin Borges arrival in midfield, the team has remained largely unchanged, making them an unpredictable opposition, which could be in a good or bad sense. They have at least one foreigner in every department, which is a positive sign, with only Víctor Bertomeu looking stiffly aged at 33. The Tuskers have kept their midfield young and vibrant, even with their signing of German attacking midfielder Marlon Roos-Trujillo, who is just 22.
Mohammedan SC
Goalkeepers: Padam Chettri, Subhajit Bhattacharjee, Shubhadip Pandit
Defenders: Dinesh Meitei, Gaurav Bora, Joe Zoherliana, Sajad Parray, Mohammed Jassim, Zodingliana Ralte, Joseph Lalmuanawma
Midfielders: Jeremy Laldinpuia, Amarjit Singh, Sajal Bag, Yash Chickro, Ashley Alban Koli, Bamiya Samad, Lalro Thlanga, Tangva Ragui, Lalngaihsaka
Forwards: Lalremsanga Fanai, Rochharzela, Makan Chote, Robinson Singh, Maharabam Maxion, Addison Singh, Lalthankima
Head Coach: Mehrajuddin Wadoo
Mohammedan SC were plagued with an internal crisis as they were handed a transfer ban due to unpaid wages and issues in deciding a new investor for the club. So, their season has been disrupted regardless of the ISL delay. Unable to sign any new players, including foreigners, the Black Panthers had to settle for an all-Indian squad for the 2025-26 ISL season. They will be managed by Mehrajuddin Wadoo, returning to the side and he hopes the young crop of players will spring some surprises, as there will be little pressure on them to deliver due to the circumstances. The average of the squad is merely 21, probably the youngest to be fielded in the league’s history.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Goalkeepers: Vishal Kaith, Syed Zahid
Defenders: Tom Aldred (foreigner), Subhasish Bose, Alberto Rodríguez (foreign), Abhishek Singh, Mehtab Singh, Dippendu Biswas, Amey Ranawade
Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Abhishek Suryavanshi, Apuia, Glan Martins, Sahal Samad, Deepak Tangri
Forwards: Dimitri Petratos (foreigner), Manvir Singh, Kiyan Nassiri, Jamie Maclaren (foreign), Jason Cummings (foreigner), Robson Robinho (foreigner), Suhail Bhat
Head Coach: Sergio Lobera
Mohun Bagan have held on to their champion squad from last season and only made it better with five crucial arrivals. In addition to that, the Shield winners have roped in Sergio Lobera from Odisha FC as the head coach, sending a clear statement that the Green and Maroon want to keep their dominance in the league intact. Not only do Kiyan Nassiri, Abhishek Singh, Mehtab Singh, Amey Ranawade and the highlight transfer, Robson Robinho bring additional qualities to the squad, but they also bring the necessary depth required for the long run and freshness with fixtures in the truncated league coming thick and fast. Adding it to the coach’s profile, club’s foreigner quota and long preseason makes them favourites for the title again. Right-back Asish Rai is injured for the season, so he won’t be registered.
Mumbai City FC
Goalkeepers: Phurba Lachenpa, TP Rehnesh, Ahan Prakash
Defenders: Nuno Reis (foreigner), Bijay Chhetri, Akash Mishra, Valpuia, Nathan Rodrigues, Amandeep Singh, Sanjeev Stalin, Sahil Panwar, Dhruv Alva
Midfielders: Franklin Nazareth, Brandon Fernandes, Noufal P.N, Gyamar Nikum, Lalnuntluanga, Zothanpuia
Forwards: Jorge Díaz (foreigner), Vikram Partap Singh, Ayush Chhikara, Lallianzuala Chhangte
Head Coach: Petr Kratky
The big blow for Mumbai City due to the season delay was City Football Group walking away from the ownership after claiming a stake at the club back in 2019. Added by key contributors, like Tiri, for the side, also leaving, it left the club struggling to organise a proper squad for the 2025-26 season. Still, the Islanders have pulled out some niche signings like centre-back Nuno Reis, who will finally receive minutes in the ISL, and recalled star striker Jorge Díaz to bolster their squad. Petr Kratky’s side will heavily depend on the Indian players to fire them to glory this time. None more than Lallianzuala Chhangte, who will be looking to go back to hitting shining numbers, which he failed to do last time.
Northeast United FC
Goalkeepers: Gurmeet Singh, Dipesh Chauhan, Arman Tamang
Defenders: Dinesh Singh, Míchel Zabaco (foreigner), Tondonba Singh, Buanthanglun Samte, Asheer Akhtar, Robin Yadav, Redeem Tlang
Midfielders: Mayakkannan Muthu, Fredy Chawngthansanga, Louis Nickson, Bekey Oram, Jairo Samperio (foreigner), Andy Rodriguez (foreigner), Mohammed Arshaf, Danny Meitei
Forwards: Jithin M.S, Ankith Padmanabhan, Thoi Singh, Parthib Gogoi, Lalbiakdika, Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia
Head Coach: Juan Pedro Benali
Similarly, Northeast United FC have to do without their star striker Alaeddine Ajarie for the season after the Moroccan joined the Indonesian Super League on loan. However, like Mumbai City FC, the Highlanders have found ideal replacements in the market and possibly have done more shrewd business than the Islanders. I-League’s record-shattering goalscorer Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia has big shoes to fill. At the same time, the two new foreign arrivals, Andy Rodriguez and Jairo Samperio, with a wide range of European league experience, are expected to create a solid partnership in the middle of the park. Míchel Zabaco is the other foreigner for the side and he will continue to provide leadership from the back to a team that has kept much of their successful core of the back-to-back Durand Cup victories intact.
Odisha FC
Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Anuj Kumar, Kamaljit Singh
Defenders: Subham Bhattacharya, Tankadhar Bag, Thoiba Moirangthem, Carlos Delgado (foreigner), Raj Sanyasi, Saviour Gama, Vanlalzuidika
Midfielders: Puitea, Rohit Kumar, Hitesh Sharma, Lalrinfela, Isak Vanlalruatfela
Forwards: Aphaoba Singh, Rahul KP, Rahim Ali, Sanathoi Singh
Head Coach: TG Purushothaman
The club most affected by the ISL delay is Odisha FC, as they suspended operations until clarity on the league restart came, even though they had to wait until the last moment to confirm their participation. Hence, they have failed to add new, fresh faces to the squad and lost the star foreigners who contributed to the team’s rise in the last few years. At the end, the Kalinga Warriors are left with only Carlos Delgado as the sole foreigner in the team. To top it off, their star manager Sergio Lobera also joined Mohun Bagan, giving further disruption to the season in an already disjointed situation. Former Kerala Blasters assistant coach, TG Purushothaman wil take charge to usher in a new era for the club.
Punjab FC
Goalkeepers: Muheet Shabir, Arshdeep Singh, Ayush Deshwal
Defenders: Bijoy Varghese, Suresh Meitei, Khaiminthang Lhungdim, Samir Zeljkovic (foreigner), Muhammad Uvais, Pablo Santos (foreigner), Pramveer
Midfielders: Ashis Pradhan, Vinit Rai, Leon Augustine, Ricky Shabong, Princeton Rebello, Singamayum Shami, Manglenthang Kipgen, Nikhil Prabhu, Dani Ramirez (foreigner)
Forwards: Ninthoi Meetei, Bede Osuji (foreigner), Muhammad Suhail, Bikash Singh, Ranjeet Pandre, Nsungusi Effiong (foreigner)
Head Coach: Panagiotis Dilmperis
In contrast, Punjab FC have assembled a proper squad with five foreigners even after waving goodbye to some of their key players in the summer. The Shers are looking to build with fresh faces, but much of the Indian contingent has remained the same. The team has reinforced the attack with two Nigerian forwards, Nsungusi Effiong and Bede Osuji, who look to replace Luka Majcen. Meanwhile, Dani Ramirez will do the task of Filip Mrzljak, while Samir Zeljkovic and Pablo Santos are brought in to solidify the defence. Panagiotis Dilmperis will take charge of the side for the second straight season.
Inter Kashi
Goalkeepers: Shubham Dhas, Lluis Tarrés, Mohit Singh Dhami
Defenders: Prabir Das, Wayne Vaz, Ashray Bhardwaj, Anil Chawan, Deepak Devrani, Nishu Kumar, Aritra Das, Sandip Mandi, Narendar Gahlot
Midfielders: Jayesh Rane, Sergio Llamas (foreigner), Vikash Singh, Karthik Paniker, Seiminlen Doungel, Sweden Fernandes, Haobam Singh
Forwards: Sumeet Passi, Alfred Planas (foreigner), Chirag Bhujel, Mario Barco (foreigner), Nauris Petkevičius (foreigner), Ashish Jha, Rohit Danu
Head Coach: Antonio Lopez Habas
Crowned I-League winners after a legal tussle with Churchill Brothers, promoted side Inter Kashi have organised a squad that speaks volumes and shows their intention of not being here just to add numbers. They are also among the few ISL teams in history who will have a foreign goalkeeper in between the sticks. Even though the foreigners have experience playing in the I-League, they have proven quality and will want to express themselves on the ISL stage this time. The club has also made sure to bring players that knows a thing or two about the top-flight, like midfield genius Jayesh Rane and experienced right-back Prabir Das. Moreover, their biggest inspiration, head coach Antonio Lopez Habas, is returning to the league where he won the ISL Cup twice and the League Shield, making him one of the most successful managers in competition history.
