ISL clubs’ contribution to India's SAFF Championship 2026 squad: A club-wise breakdown

The Blue Tigers are the defending champions of the SAFF Championship.

The September-October international window was nothing but a blockbuster for the Indian senior national team as they featured in three high profile friendlies, playing against the likes of Panama, Brazil and Uruguay.

From the draw against Panama to the goal against Uruguay, there were a lot of moments to cherish for the Blue Tigers despite conceding 11 goals.

Now, they turn their attention to the November international window, where they will be in action in two places at the same time, playing back-to-back friendlies against World Cuppers New Zealand in New Zealand while also featuring in the SAFF Championship 2026.

While Khalid Jamil is expected to lead the Blue Tigers with a first-string squad in the New Zealand friendlies, Naushad Moosa will lead the defending champions in the SAFF Championship 2026 with a second-string squad featuring many Indian U-23 players alongside a couple of players who have been phased out of the senior team in the recent camps.

As Naushad Moosa alongside his assistant Bibiano Fernandes look to prepare their players for the opening game against Pakistan in the SAFF Championship 2026, let’s take a look at the ISL club-wise breakdown of the players who have been selected for the camp.

Punjab FC – 7 players

Punjab FC have traditionally led the numbers in terms of contributions to the national team’s youth setups, and one would always wonder why they don’t have similar representation in the senior team.

Naushad Moosa has trusted the Shers, selecting seven players for the second-string Indian team set to feature in the 2026 SAFF Championship.

Bijoy Varghese, Muhammad Uvais, Ricky Shabong and Nikhil Prabhu, who have all featured for the senior team in the last 18 months, have been called up for the camp.

U-23 stars like Muhammad Suhail and Manglenthang Kipgen, who have already played under Naushad Moosa for India U-23, have also earned call-ups.

Lhungdim, Punjab FC’s captain and a consistently reliable presence at right-back for the Shers over the past few seasons, has earned his first call-up, and a well-deserved one at that.

Mohun Bagan SG – 4 players

Mohun Bagan, who usually lead the charts in terms of contributions to the senior national team, have just four representatives in the 2026 SAFF Championship squad, as the majority of their players are expected to be on the plane to New Zealand.

Priyansh Dubey and Suhail Ahmad Bhat, who have been regulars in every Indian U-23 camp under Naushad Moosa, have been called up alongside Liston Colaco, a former senior-team regular who has been sidelined due to poor form.

Abhishek Suryavanshi has also been called up to add some solidity to the midfield.

Mumbai City FC – 4 players

The biggest surprise in the list were the names of players picked from Mumbai City FC by Naushad Moosa.

Farukh Choudhary, Noufal PN and Valpuia, who have been part of the Indian senior team’s last two camps, have now been moved to the second-string team, with Khalid Jamil possibly feeling that they haven’t done enough with the opportunities they have received.

The most interesting pick is Nathan Rodrigues, who has played just three minutes since the start of last season.

NorthEast United FC – 3 players

NorthEast United, the club where Naushad Moosa works as technical director and head coach of the reserve team, have three players picked for the 2026 SAFF Championship.

However, that number could be reduced to two following the injury Louis Macarton sustained in the last match against Bengaluru FC.

Mohanraj K, a regular in the Indian U-23 setup, has also been called up, while Abdul Rabeeh, who has been reinvented as a left-back this season under Juan Pedro Benali, has also been given an opportunity to represent the Blue Tigers.

Bengaluru FC – 2 players

Bengaluru FC, who have several youngsters stepping up and performing exceptionally well in the ISL this season, have just two players called up for the 2026 SAFF Championship.

Both are senior players who were part of the squad that won the same competition in 2021.

Chinglensana Singh and Suresh Wangjam, who have been sidelined from the senior team setup for the last few camps, return, while the likes of Soham Varshneya have been left out despite their impressive performances this season.

Chennaiyin FC – 2 players

It appears that Khalid Jamil is not satisfied with Irfan Yadwad’s performances, with Irfan now being moved to the second-string team to represent the Blue Tigers in the 2026 SAFF Championship.

Brison Fernandes, who was a regular in the national team setup under Manolo Márquez, also makes a return to the Indian national team camp.

East Bengal FC – 2 players

Vishnu PV, who has been one of the league’s good Indian wingers over the last few seasons, has been called up by Naushad Moosa alongside Sandip Mandi, who has been enjoying a very good run over the last 24–30 months.

From winning the I-League with Inter Kashi to moving to East Bengal and now earning a call-up to the Indian national team, this will be a moment he will never forget.

Also Read: India’s 28-player squad for SAFF Championship 2026 announced

Kerala Blasters FC – 2 players

Kerala Blasters, who have no ISL fixtures between the end of October and the end of November, a gap of almost 30 days, were expected to have a much greater contribution to the squad, especially with the opening game falling outside the official international window.

However, only two players have been selected, with midfielder Ebindas and goalkeeper Arsh Anwer Shaikh hand-picked by Naushad Moosa, while the likes of Korou Singh and Vibin Mohanan have been left out.

One would hope that Vibin might join Sanan in the camp for the New Zealand friendlies, but that seems unlikely.

FC Goa – 1 player

Ronney Wilson, who was part of one of the previous U-23 camps under Naushad Moosa, has been called up following his decent performances for the Gaurs at left-back in the absence of Aakash Sangwan.

Prachit, had he been fit, could also have earned a call-up to the camp. However, he has likely been omitted due to the injury that has kept him out recently.

Sporting Club Delhi – 0 players

It was surprising to see no Sporting Club Delhi player being called up, with Gogou Hangshing, Mohammed Azhar and Aimen having put in decent performances for the club since the start of last season.

In fact, Nora Fernandes, the man between the sticks for the club, also deserved a call-up for his impressive reflexes and saves, but Naushad Moosa appears to have remained unconvinced.

One would expect Hnamte to be part of the squad travelling to New Zealand, which could explain why he has not been picked for the 2026 SAFF Championship. If he is not included in either squad in the end, it would make little sense.

Odisha FC – 0 players

Odisha FC, who have been struggling in the league this season, have no players called up.

Many expected Rahim Ali, who is usually part of the senior national team camp, to be moved to the second-string squad for the SAFF Championship.

However, his omission makes one wonder whether he has been dropped from the national team setup altogether or if he could still make it back into the New Zealand squad.

Churchill Brothers SC – 0 players

While the likes of Gaurav Bora and Melroy Assisi have been decent in defence and Vincy has shown some flashes in the final third, none of their performances has been enough to warrant a national team call-up. Hence, Naushad Moosa’s decision to leave them out is justifiable.

Inter Kashi FC – 0 players

Inter Kashi, who are going through a difficult period this season following last-minute squad preparation and having picked up zero wins from their first three games, did not have any standout player who deserved a call-up to the Indian national team.

Hence, they have no representation in the squad.

India’s squad for SAFF Championship 2026

Goalkeepers: Arsh Anwer Shaikh, Mohanraj K, Priyansh Dubey.

Defenders: Abdul Rabeeh, Bijoy Varghese, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Khaiminthang Lhungdim, Muhammed Uvais, Nathan Rodrigues, Ronney Kharbudon, Sandip Mandi.

Midfielders: Abhishek Suryavanshi, Adison Singh Thokchom, Brison Fernandes, Ebindas Yesudasan, Farukh Choudhary, Macarton Nickson, Manglenthang Kipgen, Nikhil Prabhu, Noufal PN, Ricky John Shabong, Suresh Singh Wangjam.

Forwards: Irfan Yadwad, Liston Colaco, Muhammad Suhail, Vishnu PV, Suhail Ahmad Bhat.

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