ISL 2025-26: Club-wise list of ISL debutants

No club gave more ISL debuts than Mohammedan SC in 2025-26 season.

With continued uncertainty surrounding the start of the ISL 2025-26 season and clubs implementing cost-cutting measures due to the financial burdens, there were a lot of negativities around Indian football clubs and players.

Several clubs suspended first-team operations, players faced delayed salaries, and many footballers were left uncertain about their future in professional football.

However, on the positive side, this difficult situation opened doors for several Indian players, especially youngsters, to step up and prove their potential at the highest level of Indian football, the Indian Super League (ISL).

Not only did players from reserve teams and lower divisions get opportunities in the ISL, but several academy graduates also made the jump to senior football.

Players such as Bob Jackson, Prakadeeswaran, and Sheikh Aadil are just a few examples of footballers who came through their club academies from the age of 13 or 14 before making their ISL debuts during the 2025-26 season.

For a league that has now completed 12 years since its inception, these stories are a strong reflection of the positive impact clubs are beginning to have on player development within the Indian football ecosystem.

Let us take a club-wise look at the players who went on to make their debuts in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 season.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Khel Now (@khelnow)

Mohammedan SC – 10 players

A club that faced immense difficulties heading into the ISL 2025-26 season, Mohammedan SC were forced to compete with an all-Indian squad, many of whom were playing professional football for the very first time.

Despite months of unpaid salaries and uncertainty surrounding the club, these young players continued to perform with passion and commitment whenever they stepped onto the pitch.

Ten players made their ISL debuts, playing in the top tier of Indian football thanks to Mehrajuddin Wadoo, who trusted them and provided consistent opportunities throughout the campaign.

Among them, Lalthankima, Dinesh Meitei and Juwel Singh were particularly impressive, with Lalthankima even earning a call-up to the Indian U-23 side for the tri-nation tournament held in Arunachal Pradesh.

• Nikhil Deka – Goalkeeper
• Subhajit Bhattacharjee – Goalkeeper
• Dinesh Meitei – Defender
• Joseph Lalmuanawma – Defender
• Juwel Mazumder – Defender
• Tangva Ragui -Midfielder
• Lalngaihsaka – Midfielder
• Yash Chickro – Midfielder
• Lalthankima – Forward
• Maharabam Maxion – Forward

Odisha FC – 8 players

Odisha FC, much like Mohammedan SC, faced significant uncertainty regarding their participation in the ISL 2025-26 season until the very last moment. They were the final club to begin pre-season preparations, starting training only after some teams had already played their opening fixtures.

Despite not facing a transfer ban, Odisha FC opted to field a young squad due to financial limitations. Players such as Subham stepped up impressively despite playing in the ISL for the very first time.

Tankadhar Bag, Tejas Krishna and Manas Dubey were among players who finally received an opportunity at the ISL level after previously playing in the I-League.

• Manas Dubey – Goalkeeper
• Subham Bhattacharya – Defender
• Tankadhar Bag – Defender
• Kojam Beyong – Defender
• Tejas Krishna – Defender
• Raj Kumar Sanyasi – Defender
• Sanathoi Singh – Forward
• Kartik Hantal – Forward

Sporting Club Delhi – 6 players

When Hyderabad FC were rebranded as Sporting Club Delhi ahead of the season, the club signed several highly rated youngsters from various academies around the country.

Three players made their professional debuts directly in the ISL, bypassing the lower divisions of Indian football altogether. Alan Saji, Akshat Mehra, and Kharon Subba were among the youngsters who made their senior debuts for the Delhi-based club during the season.

Clarence Fernandes was amongst the players who made his debut in the ISL after impressing in the I-League.

• Clarence Fernandes – Defender
• Lamgoulen Gou Hangshing – Defender
• Akshat Mehra – Defender
• Kharon Subba – Midfielder
• Augustine Lalrochana – Midfielder
• Alan Saji – Forward

Inter Kashi FC – 5 players

Although Inter Kashi retained much of their Indian core and provided several players with maiden opportunities at ISL level, no player made their professional debut during the season. However, a couple of players made their debut in ISL, stepping up from the I-League.

Nishchal Chandan stood out among the group as he adapted to the demands of the ISL remarkably well and finished the season as one of the league’s best Indian defenders.

• Shubham Das – Goalkeeper
• Nishchal Chandan – Defender
• Ashray Bhardwaj – Defender
• Karthik Panicker – Midfielder
• Ashish Jha – Forward

Bengaluru FC – 4 players

Ahead of the season, Bengaluru FC recruited several youngsters from academies across the country, particularly from Classic FA due to the strong connection between Renedy Singh and the academy, having previously coached there.

Among the players who moved from Classic FA, Bungson Singh, Serto Kom, and Rishi Singh all made their professional debuts for Bengaluru FC, while Ricky Meetei, regarded as one of the brightest young full backs in Indian football, finally earned his long-awaited ISL debut.

• Ricky Meetei – Defender
• Bungon Singh – Defender
• Rishi Singh – Midfielder
• Serto Kom – Forward

Mumbai City FC – 4 players

While Mumbai City FC handed ISL debuts to several players stepping up from the I-League, including Tluanga, Zothanpuia, and Bijay Chhetri (had signed for Chennaiyin FC and had a spell in Uruguay), there was only one player who made his senior professional debut directly in the ISL this season.

That player was Sheikh Aadil, a youngster who has been part of the club setup since the U-13 level. He made his debut as a substitute during Mumbai City’s 4-0 victory over Mohammedan SC.

• Bijay Chhetri – Defender
• Zothanpuia – Midfielder
• Lalnuntluanga Bawitlung – Midfielder
• Sheikh Aadil – Midfielder

Chennaiyin FC – 3 players

Chennaiyin FC endured a disappointing season under Clifford Miranda, but one positive takeaway for the head coach was the opportunities given to young players at ISL level. Since the emergence of Samik Mitra, Chennaiyin had struggled to promote academy and reserve players consistently into the senior setup.

This season, however, two players made their professional debuts, Prakadeeswaran S, who has been with the club since the U-13 level, and Vivek S, a regular performer for the reserves in the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) who had been training with the first team since last season.

Klusner also made his ISL debut after playing in the lower divisions over the last few years.

• Klusner John Pereira – Defender
• Prakdeeswaran S – Forward
• Vivek S – Forward

Kerala Blasters FC – 3 players

While Kerala Blasters endured a forgettable start before enjoying a strong finish to the campaign, the club placed significant trust in several young players throughout the season. Players such as Arsh Anwar and Saheef received consistent game time, although both had already featured professionally before this season.

Among the debutants, Ebindas stood out after progressing through the club academy and enjoying an outstanding campaign, finishing the season with five assists, the joint-highest tally in the league.

The other players were Sreekuttan MS and Muhammad Ajsal, who finally made their ISL debut after previously representing the club in competitions such as the Durand Cup and Super Cup.

• Ebindas Yesudesan – Midfielder
• Sreekuttan MS – Forward
• Muhammad Ajsal – Forward

NorthEast United FC – 3 players

Similar to Mumbai City FC, NorthEast United FC provided opportunities to a number of players who had previously featured in the I-League with Lalrinzuala and Lalbiakdika.

However, Dipesh Chauhan was the only player to make his first-ever senior professional league appearance this season, excluding appearances in tournaments such as the Durand Cup and Super Cup.

The club also had highly rated youngsters like Shubham Poonia and Gunleiba registered in the ISL squad at just 16 years of age.

However, neither managed to make their debut as both spent the entire season with the Indian U-17 national team preparing for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup.

• Dipesh Chauhan – Goalkeeper
• Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia – Forward
• Lalbiakdika Vanlalvunga – Forward

FC Goa – 2 players

Bob Jackson, the 21-year-old goalkeeper, has been with FC Goa since the U-15 level and steadily worked his way through the youth and reserve teams before finally earning his well-deserved ISL debut.

He made his debut against Odisha FC and produced several excellent saves, immediately giving strong competition to the likes of Lara Sharma and Hrithik Tiwari for the starting goalkeeper spot. Ronney Wilson as well made his ISL debut after impressing for Shillong Lajong in the ISL last season.

• Bob Jackson – Goalkeeper
• Ronney Wilson – Defender

East Bengal FC – 1 player

Much like Mohun Bagan SG, East Bengal did not hand any academy player an ISL debut despite winning the Calcutta Football League (CFL) with several promising youngsters in their squad.

Players like David received only limited opportunities, while Sayan and Guite failed to get any minutes despite being registered in the first-team squad. Martand Raina was the only lucky player to make his debut in the Indian Super League after joining the club from Rajasthan United last summer.

• Martand Raina – Defender

Jamshedpur FC – 1 player

Jamshedpur FC did provide several youngsters with extended runs in the first team this season, with players such as Chawngthu and Rosenberg Gabriel receiving valuable game time.

While Chawngthu had already made his debut in the ISL last season, Rosenberg experienced his first season in the ISL after making a switch from Sreenidi Deccan FC last summer.

• Rosenberg Gabriel – Forward

Mohun Bagan Super Giant – 0 players

With a squad filled with experienced Indian players and six foreign signings, there was little room for academy youngsters to break into the first team at Mohun Bagan Super Giant this season.

In fact, players such as Suhail Bhat and Dippendu Biswas ended the campaign without playing any minutes, while Abhishek Suryavanshi and Kiyan Nassiri received only limited opportunities.

Punjab FC – 0 players

Despite competing with one of the youngest squads in the league and showcasing several exciting Indian talents, Punjab FC did not hand a professional debut to any reserve or academy player this season.

However, players such as Kipgen enjoyed breakout campaigns and played significant minutes, especially during the injury absence of Suhail.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.