ISL 2025-26: FC Goa Predicted Line-up for upcoming Season
Sandesh Jhingan and Pol Moreno will be leading the FC Goa defence this season
FC Goa finished second in the league stage last season and have since won two Super Cups, staking their claim as one of the best sides in India at the moment. Going into the 2025-26 Indian Super League season, the Gaurs have a settled squad with a strong Indian core.
The only thing that is going against the former ISL Shield winners will be the fact that they have had to part ways with four foreigners post their 2025-26 AFC Champions League Two campaign. Here is the predicted XI of FC Goa for the 2025-26 ISL season.
Goalkeeper: Hrithik Tiwari
The 24-year-old has been the first choice goalkeeper since last season and he was also the backbone of Goa’s two Super Cup wins. Manolo Marquez will not be chopping or changing anything here with Lara Sharma playing as the backup goalkeeper.
Left-Back: Aakash Sangwan
Aakash Sangwan was signed in the 2024 summer transfer window. His first season went so well that he was picked over Jay Gupta, who has since moved to East Bengal. The 30-year-old has played 38 games as Goa’s left-back and will be starting over Jerry Lalrinzuala in the starting XI
Centre-Back: Sandesh Jhingan
FC Goa’s captain and one of India’s best ever centrebacks, Sandesh Jhingan, will probably be the first name on the starting XI. The 32-year-old is vocal on the pitch and his towering presence is a threat during corners in attack as well. Unless injured, expect Jhingan to play all fourteen ISL games this season.
Centre-Back: Pol Moreno
The Spaniard was signed in the summer to replace Odei Onaindia. Pol Moreno played all six of Goa’s AFC Champions League Two games and was also an important part in their 2025-26 AIFF Super Cup triumph. Moreno has partnered Jhingan well in defence and his calmness on the ball will be important for Manolo Marquez’s side.
Right-Back: Boris Singh Thangjam
Boris is a regular in the FC Goa line-up and is highly rated by Manolo Marquez. The 26-year-old has made 70 appearances for his ISL club and his brilliant performances have also got him five caps with the Indian national football team.
Serriton Fernandes and even Udanta Singh might be the other options that Marquez will have as Boris’ backups on the right hand side.
Central Midfielder: Ayush Dev Chhetri
Though he is just 22-years-old, Ayush Chhetri is well beyond his age when it comes to football. Ayush has been part of the FC Goa family since 2022 and has constantly earned playing time at the club. Manolo Marquez will be trusting his young soldier once again in the absence of foreign stars in this position.
Central Midfielder: Harsh Patre
Signed from Bengaluru FC, Harsh has made five appearances for the Gaurs so far since signing up in the summer. The 23-year-old is flexible in playing as a centre midfielder and as a winger, adding flexibility to Manolo Marquez’s formation.
Left Winger: Brison Fernandes
Rated highly by Manolo Marquez, Brison Fernandes will be in the starting XI as a left winger at FC Goa. Brison played 24 ISL games last season, scoring 7 goals and providing 2 assists to his teammates. The 24-year-old is good on the ball and is not afraid to shoot when the opportunity presents itself.
Right Winger: Mohammad Yasir
The spot on the right wing will be a toss up between Mohammad Yasir and Udanta Singh. Yasir, While the former is entering his prime, Udanta on the other hand has a wealth of experience in Indian football. Yasir had 2 goals and 2 assists in the ISL last season and he will be looking to build on it and add to to his stats this term.
Striker: Dejan Drazic
Dejan Drazic can play as a striker, a left-winger, or as an attacking midfielder, depending on Manolo Marquez’s formation. The Serbian scored 1 goal and had 3 assists in the 2024-25 ISL season, something that he would be looking to improve this time around. Drazic is the only foreign attacker currently part of the FC Goa squad, hence, expect him to start – given that he is fit.
Striker: Ishan Pandita
Ishan was re-signed by FC Goa in the January transfer window. The striker last played for the Gaurs in the 2020-21 season, where he was mostly utilized as a supersub, however, Ishan scored four important late goals to turn the tide and help his side and get a result.
When is FC Goa’s first match of the season?
FC Goa will play their first match of the Indian Super League 2025-26 season on 14 February 2026 (Saturday).
Who are they playing against?
Their opening fixture will be FC Goa vs Inter Kashi FC.
Where will the match be played?
The match will take place at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (also known as Fatorda Stadium) in Margao, Goa.
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Aasif, a football fan turned writer, has been writing about the sport since 2020. Based in Chennai, it is no surprise that love for Chennaiyin FC runs in his blood. Apart from Indian football, Aasif has also written and edited articles extensively about European football.