ISL clubs’ contribution to Indian national football team in 2026 revealed: A club-wise breakdown

18 Bengaluru FC players have been called up to the Indian NT at the U-20, U-23, and senior levels.

While the previous six to eight weeks have been all about club football, the Indian Super League (ISL) has now paused for the March international break, the first of 2026. During this international break, the Indian men’s national football team will compete across various age groups.

The Indian U-17 squad, led by Bibiano Fernandes, will continue their preparations for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup by playing friendlies against Thailand, Indonesia, and South Korea. The U-20 squad, under the new head coach Mahesh Gawali, will compete in the SAFF U-20 Championship 2026.

Naushad Moosa’s boys will be playing Tri-Nation friendlies in Arunachal Pradesh as the India U-23 boys look to continue the fine form they have been showing recently.

The Indian senior men’s NT led by Khalid Jamil, will be facing Hong Kong in Kochi in their final game of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.

A total of 94 players have been picked for the forthcoming fixtures across the four age groups, with 76 hailing from ISL clubs’ academies or senior teams.

Let’s look at the club breakdown in terms of how many players were called up from each ISL team.

Bengaluru FC – 18 Players

A total of 18 players were from Bengaluru FC were called up to the Indian NT across various age categories. While the senior team and U-20’s each had six players called-up, Naushad Moosa placed great faith in calling 5 players for the U-23’s despite a couple of them playing next to no minutes in the ISL so far.

Ryan Williams has been called up to the senior team, where he will make his debut for the Blue Tigers after recently obtaining an Indian passport.

• U-20 – 7 players (Suraj Singh Aheibam, Bungson Singh, Yaipharemba Chingakham, Rohen Singh, Md Arbash, Samson Ahongshangbam, Rishi Singh)
• U-23 – 5 players (Harsh Palande, Ricky Meetei Haobam, Lalremtluanga Fanai, Shivaldo Singh, Vinith Venkatesh)
• Senior NT – 6 players (Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Nikhil Poojary, Rahul Bheke, Roshan Singh Naorem, Ryan Williams, Ashique Kuruniyan)

Mohun Bagan SG – 12 Players

Mohun Bagan were the next biggest contributors, with 12 players, six of whom were called up for the game against Hong Kong by Khalid Jamil. Suhail Bhat is one of three players who have not played a minute for the club but have been called up to the Indian U-23 team.

While Abhishek Kumar is the sole Mohun Bagan SG player called up by Bibiano Fernandes, Mahesh Gawali has selected left-back Roshan Singh and midfielder Gurnaj Singh Grewal.

• U-17– 1 player (Abhishek Kumar Mondal)
• U-20 – 2 players (Roshan Singh, Gurnaj Singh Grewal)
• U-23 – 3 players (Priyansh Dubey, Dippendu Biswas, Suhail Ahmad Bhat)
• Senior NT – 6 players (Vishal Kaith, Abhishek Singh Tekcham, Lalengmawia Ralte, Sahal Abdul Samad, Manvir Singh, Liston Colaco)

Punjab FC – 9 Players

Punjab FC’s remarkable performance at the grassroots level continues, as six youngsters have been called up to the India U-20 side, which is preparing for the 2026 SAFF U-20 Championship.

Bijoy Varghese received his first call-up to the Indian senior national team following outstanding performances in the 2025/26 ISL. One player each was chosen for the U-17 and U-23 teams.

• U-17– 1 player (Zoramdinthara)
• U-20 – 6 players (Karish Soram, Usham Singh, Aniket Yadav, Rishikanta Meitei, Omang Dodum, Vishal Yadav)
• U-23 – 1 player (Pramveer Singh)
• Senior NT – 1 player (Bijoy Varghese)

NorthEast United FC – 8 Players

Northeast United FC, whose reserves and youth teams play a lot of games every year, had eight players called up to the youth levels. Khalid Jamil did not choose any players for the senior team.

Naushad Moosa, who works closely with these youngsters, named three players in the U-23 team, while Mahesh Gawali picked promising winger Danny Meetei and new striker Tanbir Dey.

Shubham Poonia, Gunleiba, and Dallalmuon Gangte remained in the U-17 team following impressive performances in the U-17 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.

• U-17– 3 players (Shubham Poonia, Gunleiba, Dallalmuon Gangte)
• U-20 – 2 players (Danny Meetei, Tanbir Dey)
• U-23 – 3 players (Dipesh Chauhan, Macarton Louis Nickson, Thoi Singh)

Kerala Blasters FC – 6 Players

Kerala Blasters had six players picked for the Indian U-20, U-23, and senior national teams. Danish Farooq retains his spot in the senior NT under Khalid Jamil, while Naushad Moosa opted for the offensive duo of Ebindas and Ajsal after excelling in the 2025/26 ISL season.

Malemngamba, a new reserve team signing, is one of three players picked to the 23-member SAFF U20 Championship 2026 roster.

• U-20 – 3 players (Alsabith ST, Pranav Sundarraman, Malemngamba Singh Thokchom)
• U-23 – 2 players (Ebindas Yesudasan, Muhammed Ajsal)
• Senior NT – 1 player (Danish Farooq Bhat)

Chennaiyin FC – 4 Players

Farukh Chaudhary was the only Chennaiyin player called up to the senior NT, with Irfan Yadwad missing out this time. Mohanraj and Hnamte remained in Naushad Moosa’s squad despite the fact that the former had not been chosen as part of Marina Machans’ 2025/26 ISL roster.

Nitish remains a member of the U-17 squad, as he has been since the team won the U-17 SAFF Championship in September 2025.

• U-17 – 1 player (Nitish Kumar Meitei)
• U-23 – 2 players (Mohanraj K, Lalrinliana Hnamte)
• Senior NT – 1 player (Farukh Chaudhary)

Mumbai City FC – 3 Players

Mumbai City’s new addition Zothanpuia, also known as Puipuia, received his first call-up to the Indian U-23 team after catching the eye of Naushad Moosa with his brilliant appearances off the bench for the Islanders in ISL 2025/26.

Akash Mishra and Lallianzuala Chhangte retained their spots as significant players in Khalid Jamil’s setup.

• U-23 – 1 player (Zothanpuia)
• Senior NT – 2 players (Akash Mishra, Lallianzuala Chhangte)

FC Goa – 3 Players

FC Goa, a club that used to have a lot of representation in the senior NT under then-head coach Manolo Marquez, now has only one representative, captain Sandesh Jhingan. Ayush Chhetri, who was initially on the squad, had to withdraw due to a concussion.

Bibiano Fernandes continues to believe in attacker Lesley Rebelo, who has been called up for the U-17 side once more, while skilled centre-back Ronney Wilson retains his position in India U-23 after making his international debut in the previous window.

• U-17 – 1 player (Lesley Rebelo)
• U-23 – 1 player (Ronney Wilson)
• Senior NT – 1 player (Sandesh Jhingan)

Jamshedpur FC – 3 Players

Jamshedpur FC’s goalkeeper Albino Gomes has returned to the NT set-up after an almost 9-year absence, having last featured in September 2017. Albino has been excellent since the beginning of last season, and he previously worked under Khalid Jamil last season at Jamshedpur.

Sanan continues to be a key player for the Indian U-23 side, while striker Heeranganba Seram retains his position in the Indian U-17 squad ahead of the Asian Cup.

• U-17 – 1 player (Heeranganba Seram)
• U-23 – 1 player (Mohammed Sanan)
• Senior NT – 1 player (Albino Gomes)

East Bengal FC – 3 Players

East Bengal should be doing better at the grassroots level than they are, given that no East Bengal player has been picked for either India’s U-17, U-20, or U-23 teams.

They only have players in the senior NT, with defender Anwar Ali, midfielder Jeakson Singh, and striker Edmund Lalrindika being included in Khalid Jamil’s 23-man roster.

• Senior NT – 3 players (Anwar Ali, Jeakson Singh, Edmund Lalrindika)

Sporting Club Delhi – 2 Players

The newly rebranded Sporting Club Delhi will be featuring one player for each of the Indian U-20 and U-23 national teams. Sanatomba Singh continues to remain in Naushad Moosa’s squad, while Mohammed Kaif has been picked by Mahesh Gawali for the forthcoming U-20 SAFF Championship.

Aimen, Azhar, and Alan Saji were left out of the last U-23 team, while Clarence Fernandes and Augustine Lalrochana were overlooked despite their promising performances.

• U-20 – 1 player (Mohammed Kaif)
• U-23 – 1 player (Sanatomba Singh)

Mohammedan SC – 2 Players

Despite the club’s troubles this season, Mohammedan SC is doing one excellent thing: providing kids opportunities to establish themselves at the top level.

Naushad Moosa has called up two promising players, Lalthankima and Adison Singh, to the Indian U-23 team, indicating that the youth are seizing their opportunities.

While Lathankima was a member of the last squad, Adison Singh has got his first call-up to the Indian team.

• U-23 – 2 players (Lalthankima, Adison Singh)

Odisha FC – 2 Players

Naushad Moosa has recalled left-back Subham Bhattacharya, who has previously been part of the U-23s, following the defender’s solid play in the ongoing ISL season.

Khalid Jamil has also called up Rahim Ali for the senior national team following good performances against Mohun Bagan SG and Northeast United FC lately.

• U-23 – 1 player (Subham Bhattacharya)
• Senior NT – 1 player (Rahim Ali)

Inter Kashi FC – 1 Player

Tomba Singh remains the sole Inter Kashi FC player called up to the Indian National Team, as Naushad Moosa has named the midfielder among the 24-man squad for Tri-Nation friendly in Yupia.

Tomba has been an important player in the Inter Kashi midfield this season, with Habas describing him as one of the best young midfielders in the country.

• U-23 – 1 player (Tomba Singh)

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.