Chandigarh, 9 October 2026: Punjab FC has announced its 27-member team for Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 season. Team includes 10 players emerged from academy along with experienced players, which shows club's commitment to nurture domestic talent. Shers will start their ISL campaign with home match against Odisha FC on Wednesday, 14 October at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi.
With combination of strong Indian players and thoughtfully included new players Punjab FC is ready for its fourth ISL season. Team has been selected in such a way that it maintains club's commitment to development of players along with entering competition strongly.
In his first season with club head coach Pavlos Dermitzakis has selected such team, in which along with continuity of old players new options are also present in every department. 14 players from last season's ISL team have been retained. These include Indian national team players Bijoy Varghese, Ricky Shabong, Muhammad Uvais, Nikhil Prabhu and Muhammad Suhail F along with Arshdeep Singh, Khaiminthang Lhungdim and Leon Augustine.
Petr Kratky? Wait original: Patrik Bahanak, Mikel Malsa, Diego Raposo, Alfred Planas Moya and Rafael Messi Bouli are foreign players included in team. New Indian players Muhammad Inam and Gurkirat Singh have also been given place in team.
Team includes 10 players emerged from academy, which are three more than last season. These players got place in team on basis of their performance in age group leagues and recently concluded IFA Shield. Shers had travelled till semi-final in IFA Shield.
Goalkeeper Ayush Deshwal, midfielder Manglenthang Kipgen and forward Muhammad Suhail F and Vishal Yadav who were part of last season's team along with this time defender Ngarin Shaiza, Sohail Khan and Karish Soram, midfielder Bishoo Sharma and Lashram Rishikanta Meitei, and forward Konsam Sanathoi Singh have also been included in team.
Before new season head coach Pavlos Dermitzakis expressing confidence on team said, "This team has been prepared with this clear thinking that what kind of football we want to play. I am very happy regarding balance in team. We have experienced players in every department, players who know this club and league very well, and 10 young players from our academy, who have made place in team with their hard work every day.
"Schedule of ISL is quite challenging and every player of this team will have his own role. Players have prepared well, there is passion to do something in dressing room and we are ready to start campaign."
Head coach will be assisted by assistant coach Georgios Angelidis and Indian assistant coach Shankarlal Chakraborty. Along with them Christos Vorgiatzidis will play role of strength and physical fitness coach, while Vinay Singh will play role of goalkeeping coach.
All three goalkeepers of last season have been retained in team. Experienced Arshdeep Singh will lead goalkeeping department, while young Muhit Shabir and Ayush Deshwal will also be part of team.
Bijoy Varghese, Muhammad Uvais, Suresh Meitei and Khaiminthang Lhungdim will lead defence line. Along with new player Patrik Bahanak, academy-emerged Ngarin Shaiza, Sohail Khan and Karish Soram will give more strength and depth to defence.
In midfield Punjab FC has good combination of creativity, control over game and energy. Mikel Malsa and Manglenthang Kipgen are expected to play important role in making strategy of attacking moves, while Nikhil Prabhu, Ricky Shabong and Muhammad Inam will provide stability in midfield. Bishoo Sharma and Rishikanta Meitei who impressed with their performance in IFA Shield will contribute new energy and attractive football to team.
Team's forward department is full of different types of attacking options and ability to score goals. Experienced Rafael Messi Bouli made brilliant start to his journey in Punjab FC with three goals and three assists in IFA Shield. There other foreign players Diego Raposo and Alfred Planas Moya have also made good start to season.
