ISL 2026-27: Punjab FC announces squad, 10 academy graduates included

Punjab FC head coach Pavlos Dermitzakis has picked a squad that balances continuity with fresh options in every department. | Photo Credit: Punjab FC

Punjab FC on Friday announced a strong 27-member squad for the Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 season, which includes an established core and 10 academy graduates.

The Shers start their fourth ISL campaign with a home fixture on Wednesday, October 14, against Odisha FC at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi.

Head coach Pavlos Dermitzakis, in his first season with the club, has picked a squad that balances continuity with fresh options in every department. 14 players from last season’s ISL squad have been retained, including national team players Bijoy Varghese, Ricky Shabong, Muhammed Uvais, Nikhil Prabhu and Muhammad Suhail F along with Arshdeep Singh, Khaiminthang Lhungdim and Leon Augustine.

Patrick Bahanack, Mickaël Malsa, Diego Raposo, Alfred Planas Moya and Raphaël Messi Bouli are the foreign players in the squad. The squad also includes new domestic signings Mohammad Inam and Gurkirat Singh.

The team comprises 10 academy graduates, three more than the last season, who were rewarded with a place in the squad for their performances in the age group leagues and the recently concluded IFA Shield, where the Shers reached the semifinals.

READ: ISL 2026-27 preview: Can a new era bring Indian football back to life?

Speaking ahead of the new campaign, Dermitzakis expressed his confidence in the squad and its readiness for the season. He said, “This is a squad built with a clear idea of how we want to play, and I am very happy with the balance we have. We have experience in every department, players who know this club and the league, and ten young players from our academy who have earned their place through their work every single day. The ISL has a demanding schedule, and every player in this group will have a role to play. The players have prepared well, the hunger in the dressing room is there, and we are ready to begin.”

The head coach will be supported by assistant coaches Georgios Angelidis and Sankarlal Chakraborty, along with Christos Vorgiatzidis as the strength and conditioning coach and Vinay Singh as the goalkeeping coach.

SQUADS

Goalkeepers: Arshdeep Singh, Muheet Shabir, Ayush Deshwal

Defenders: Khaiminthang Lhungdim, Ngarin Shaiza, Jephthe Patrick Gerard Bahanack, Mohammed Sohel Khan, Bijoy Varghese, Nongmaikapam Suresh Meitei, Muhammed Uvais Moyikkal, Karish Soram

Midfielders: Naravi Nikhil Jayantha Prabhu, Mickaël Ramon Vincent Malsa, Ricky John Shabong, Bishu Sharma, Laishram Rishikanta Meitei, Manglenthang Kipgen, Mohammad Inam

Forwards: Raphaël Éric Messi Bouli, Diego Henrique Oliveira Raposo, Alfred Planas Moya, Leon Augustine, Muhammad Suhail F, Bikash Singh Sagolsem, Konsam Sanathoi Singh, Vishal Yadav, Gurkirat Singh