ISL 2026-27: Foreign contingents of all Indian Super League clubs

The 13th season of the ISL is set to kick off on 10th October 2026.

The countdown of 2026-27 season of Indian Super League is set to start from October 10, 2026. The competition will return to its traditional home-and-away format with 13 teams and to give an opportunity to a club to play a home and an away fixture against opposition.

Due to the expiration of the commercial rights agreement with Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) and a subsequent deadlock in securing a new commercial partner or broadcaster in the previous season, the start of the league was delayed to February 2026.

Due to uncertainties in the 2025-26 season, the league saw many of the foreign players parting ways with their respective clubs to manage game time and match fitness, like Alaaeddine Ajaraie from Northeast United, Iker Guarrotxena from FC Goa, Hugo Boumous from Odisha, etc.

Some of the clubs continued with their remaining foreign players and some of them signed new foreign players by giving them contracts till the end of the 2026 season.

In this season, there will be some new foreign additions in the squads of all the Indian Super League clubs, from new foreign players to new foreign head coach appointments; clubs will look to begin their ISL campaign of this season with new strategies and tactical approaches.

Bengaluru FC

Manuel de Iriondo, Mihailo Perović, Menno Koch, Sandro Sakho and Borja Martinez

Under head coach Pep Muñoz, the Blues, who skipped this year’s Durand Cup, are looking to kickstart their ISL campaign by strengthening their squad by adding foreigners, Argentine midfielder Manuel de Iriondo, Montenegrin forward Mihailo Perović, centre backs like Dutch player Menno Koch and Sandro Sakho from Portugal.

Manuel de Iriondo adds experience, composure and control in midfield, while Mihailo Perović provides a proven striker option. Menno Koch and Sandro Sakho bolster the centre-back options, bringing physical presence and defensive depth. Borja Martínez adds creativity and versatility in attack. 

Together, the signings give Pep Muñoz greater tactical flexibility and these foreign additions adds the depth in the squad which was affected in last season.

Chennaiyin FC

Madih Talal, Nuno Reis, Emmanuel Imanishimwe and Nikola Stojanović

After their disappointing campaign in 2026 season, Marina Machans will now make fresh changes in their foreign contingent, Former Punjab, East Bengal FC and Jamshedpur FC attacking midfielder Madih Talal, aka the French maestro, centre backs Emmanuel Imanishimwe from Rwanda and Nuno Reis from Portugal, and midfielder Nikola Stojanović from Serbia.

Chennaiyin FC have added quality and experience ahead of the 2026-27 season. Nuno Reis brings leadership and defensive stability, while Emmanuel Imanishimwe adds pace and versatility at left-back. Nikola Stojanović strengthens the midfield with physicality and ball progression, while Madih Talal offers creativity and attacking threat.

Together, the quartet gives Clifford Miranda greater depth and tactical flexibility.

Sporting Club Delhi

Rodriguinho, David Richard Ndayishimiye, Duván Viáfara, Juan Pena and Nduka Junior 

After making their debut appearance last season as SC Delhi (previously Hyderabad FC), the club from the capital city of India will look to bolster their squad by roping foreign players like Brazilian forward Rodriguinho, midfielder David Richard Ndayishimiye from Burundi, Colombian centre back Duván Viáfara, Colombian attacking midfielder Juan Pena and Nigerian Defender Nduka Junior.

SC Delhi have added exciting foreign options ahead of the 2026-27 season. Rodriguinho brings Brazilian flair, pace and attacking creativity from the left wing.

David Richard Ndayishimiye offers energy, ball progression and defensive cover in midfield. Nduka Junior adds physicality and aerial strength at centre-back, while Duván Viáfara provides composure, experience and quality in possession. Juan Pena brings creativity and constant goalscoring threat.

Together, they add balance and versatility to the squad for Polish head coach Tomasz Tchórz.

Churchill Brothers FC

Sebastián Gutiérrez 

Churchill Brothers are preparing for their ISL debut, They roped in 28-year-old Colombian midfielder  Sebastián Gutiérrez, currently their first foreign signing, as the Goan club focuses on building around local talent. 

Their preparations have gained further significance following Tata Steel’s agreement to transfer Jamshedpur FC’s ownership and ISL sporting licence to Churchill Brothers. The deal also includes the contracts of 12 Jamshedpur FC players and two coaches from September, giving Churchill an immediate squad base and valuable ISL experience. 

With the takeover subject to AIFF approval, Churchill will look to strengthen further and add foreign quality and a head coach before their top-flight campaign begins.

East Bengal FC

Chris Iknonomidis, Diego Živulić, Effiong Nsungusi, Dani Ramírez, Nacho Monsalve and Mohammed Rashid 

The defending ISL Champions, East Bengal FC, will look to defend their title this season. The Red and Gold Brigade have gone with exciting additions to their squad in terms of foreign players.

The Torchbearers have strengthened their squad with six arrivals. 31-year-old Australian forward Chris Ikonomidis adds pace and attacking versatility, while 34-year-old Croatian player Diego Živulić brings experience in midfield and defensive solidity. Former Punjab FC player Nigerian Effiong Nsungusi offers a physical goal-scoring threat, and Spanish attacking midfielder Dani Ramírez provides creativity and control in midfield.

32-year-old Spaniard Nacho Monsalve adds composure and leadership to the defence, while Captain Mohammed Rashid strengthens the midfield with his defensive work and international experience. 

After winning the Durand Cup 2026 title under new head coach Antonio López Habas, These six signings give East Bengal greater depth, versatility and experience ahead of their ISL title defence.

FC Goa

Franchu, Alex Vallejo, Alex Zelaya and Christian ‘Chiki’ Isabel

The 2025-26 AIFF Super Cup champions, FC Goa, have released their two most important foreign players, Dejan Dražić and Pol Moreno, for this season’s ISL, who played a crucial role in the club’s campaign last season in the league. The Gaurs have looked to add fresh foreign additions in this season’s ISL.

Under  new head coach Gouramangi Singh, who was promoted after serving as assistant coach, FC Goa have strengthened their squad with three Spanish and one Argentine in foreign additions ahead of the 2026-27 season. Former Kerala Blasters Argentine midfielder Franchu adds creativity and versatility in attacking areas, while 28-year-old Spanish defender Álex Zalaya brings defensive solidity and composure to the defence.

Forward Christian Chiki Isabel from Spain provides a proven goalscoring option up front, while his countrymen defensive midfielder Álex Vallejo adds experience and defensive Forward Christian Chiki Isabel from Spain provides a proven goalscoring option up front, while his countrymen defensive midfielder Álex Vallejo adds experience and defensive stability in midfield. The quartet gives FC Goa a strong foreign spine and greater tactical flexibility.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant

Jamie Maclaren, Samir Zeljković, Miguel Figueira, Lee Erwin, Alberto Rodriguez and Dejan Dražić

Two-time ISL Cup and Shield Champions, Mohun Bagan SG have reshaped their foreign contingent ahead of the 2026-27 ISL season. They have roped in 30-year-old Serbian winger  Dejan Dražić from FC Goa, 26-year-old Brazilian midfielder Miguel Figueira from rivals East Bengal FC and 28-year-old Bosnian defensive midfielder Samir Zeljković from Punjab FC to add creativity, attacking quality and defensive strength to the squad.

The Mariners have also retained Jamie Maclaren, and roped in 32-year-old Scottish striker Lee Erwin from Al-Faisaly. Alberto Rodríguez has also been retained by Mariners; he brings experience and composure to the defence. 

Together, the foreign contingent provides them quality, depth and tactical versatility.

Under new head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis, Mohun Bagan SG started the pre-season by finishing runners-up in Durand Cup 2026. Mariners will look to retain their ISL crown after finishing 2nd in the league last season. 

Northeast United FC

Alaaeddine Ajaraie, Nikola Ninković, Antonio Moyano, Eneko Satrústegui and Ethyan González 

Northeast United FC head into the 2026-27 season with a mix of proven ISL quality and fresh attacking options. Moroccan forward Alaaeddine Ajaraie returns to the club after his loan spell in Persija Jakarta; he remains the headline name after his prolific spell with the club in the 2024-25 season, while Spanish defender Eneko Satrústegui adds composure at the back.

The Highlanders have also added 24-year-old Spanish striker Ethyan González, along with his fellow countrymen Antonio Moyano and Serbian playmaker Nikola Ninković.

Their combination of goals, creativity and experience gives Juan Pedro Benali plenty of options to work with.

Kerala Blasters

Adrián Luna

Kerala Blasters currently have just one foreign player in their 2026-27 squad, Adrián Luna. The 34-year-old Uruguayan has been one of the club’s most influential players in recent seasons and remains a key creative outlet, capable of unlocking defences with his passing, movement and set-piece ability.

With Luna as the only overseas player, Kerala still have plenty of work to do in the transfer market. Adding quality foreign players could give the Blasters head coach Ashley Westwood more balance and experience across the pitch, while also taking some creative responsibility off Luna’s shoulders.

Mumbai City FC

Sergio Llamas, Carlos Delgado, Wilmar Jordán Gil and Leandro Otormín

Mumbai City FC have added a healthy mix of experience and quality to their foreign contingent. The 29-year-old Uruguayan forward Leandro Otormín brings creativity and attacking spark, while the 33-year-old Spaniard Sergio Llamas adds composure and intelligence in midfield.

At the back, the 38-year-old Spanish defender Carlos Delgado offers leadership and plenty of his experience in ISL with Odisha FC.

The 35-year-old Colombian striker Wilmar Jordán Gil gives the Islanders another proven option in front of goal in the league, previously with other teams (Chennaiyin FC, Punjab FC and Northeast United), his experience of Indian football could be particularly useful. 

Together, the four bring different qualities to the squad and could play an important role in Mumbai City FC’s campaign. Islanders have appointed 57-year-old Spaniard Manolo Márquez as their new head coach for 2026-27. Márquez returns to club football with valuable Indian experience, having won the ISL Cup with Hyderabad FC and two Super Cups with FC Goa. His tactical knowledge will be crucial for them.

Punjab FC

Raphaël Messi Bouli, Patrick Bahanack and Alfred Planas

Punjab FC’s foreign contingent brings a mix of creativity, pace and defensive strength. The 30-year-old Spanish winger Alfred Planas can add flair in attack, while the Cameroon internationals like Raphael Messi Bouli who’s experience in ISL with clubs like Kerala Blasters and East Bengal provides the goal threat for the oppositions with his speed and physicality, and 28-year-old Patrick Bahanack adds physicality and stability at the back.

Their new head coach Pavlos Dermitzakis will have the task of bringing these qualities together. His tactics could be key to getting the best out of the trio. The Shers will hope their foreign players can make a real difference as they look to put together a stronger campaign in the 2026-27 ISL season.

Odisha FC

Giorgi Aburjania, Stephen Eze and Manu Molina

Odisha FC are yet to make more overseas additions to their squad, their current foreign players core has a balance of experience, creativity and physical presence. The 31-year-old Georgian Giorgi Aburjania can bring control and creativity in midfield, while the Nigerian centre back Stephen Eze adds strength and solidity to the defence and his experience in ISL with Jamshedpur FC.

The 34-year-old Spanish midfielder Manu Molina offers experience and calmness in midfield.

Together, the trio gives Odisha FC different options across the pitch. Aburjania and Molina can help dictate the tempo, while Eze provides a strong presence at the back.

Their experience could be important for Odisha FC, and they will look to add more foreign players to the squad as they aim to put together a competitive 2026-27 ISL campaign.

Inter Kashi FC

Inter Kashi are taking a different route ahead of their ISL debut, with the club yet to sign a foreign player. Rather than rushing into overseas recruitment, they have focused on building an Indian-heavy squad.

It makes their approach interesting to follow, especially with the new season set to bring a fresh challenge.

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