Which ISL teams are playing in IFA Shield 2026?

Four ISL teams are gearing up for the competition

The Indian Football Association (IFA) Shield, or primarily known as the IFA Shield, is one of the most coveted and prestigious club football competitions in India after the Durand Cup.

The IFA Shield started in 1893 and is one of the oldest club competitions in Asia. It is an important competition in the Indian Football ecosystem, as it carries its own significance and legacy.

The IFA Shield is a tournament that takes place in the international window, before the domestic league starts. The newest campaign of the tournament is set to return in action on 23rd September 2026 in Kolkata, where a total of six teams will be gearing up to battle it out for the esteemed crown.

With the Shield approaching, the teams participating are a blend of multiple leagues. The tournament will include four ISL clubs, one club from the IFL & Calcutta Customs Club being a late addition into the tournament after Mohammedan SC withdrew from the IFA Shield 2026.

The teams playing in the IFA Shield 2026 are, Punjab FC, NorthEast United FC, Mohun Bagan SG, East Bengal FC, Sreenidi Deccan FC & Calcutta Customs Club. The tournament will provide a great opportunity for the teams to test their squads before new campaigns of both ISL & IFL begin.

In this article, we will get to know the ISL sides that are ready to take to the field in the upcoming IFA Shield 2026.

Punjab FC

The Shers, who played a mature brand of football in the ISL 2025-26 season under the guidance of Panagiotis Dilmperis, are now ready to lock horns in the upcoming IFA Shield 2026 after some key departures. With new head coach Pavlos Dermitzakis and some great recruitments into the team ahead of the new season, the Shers will be looking for a positive tournament to test themselves before the start of the ISL 2026-27 season.

Punjab FC will look to kickstart their campaign after being drawn in Group B alongside two Kolkata giants, East Bengal FC and Calcutta Customs Club. With the groups officially revealed, the Shers will face Calcutta Customs Club in their first group game on 27th September 2026, at 15:00 IST.

After playing their first match of the tournament, a tough test awaits them when East Bengal FC will host them in their last group fixture on 30th September 2026 from 15:00 IST at the East Bengal Ground.

NorthEast United FC

NorthEast United FC are set to make their debut in the 126th edition of the tournament as they have been placed in Group A along with the IFL side Sreenidi Deccan FC & with fellow ISL giants Mohun Bagan SG.

NorthEast will be looking to make an immediate impact in their first appearance with a set team, as they also played great football in the Durand Cup 2026, reaching the Semi-Finals in the tournament. The team is aiming to win their first Shield, having never previously lifted the crown.

The Highlanders will be ready to face southern side Sreenidi Deccan FC in their first group game on 26th September, 2026, from 15:00 IST, as Mohun Bagan Ground will host Pedro Benali’s side in their last group game against Mohun Bagan on 29th September, 2026, from 15:00 IST.

Mohun Bagan

With 23 IFA Shield titles in their hands, the Mariners are looking to be crowned with another silverware to start a new journey along with their new head coach Dilmperis. Mohun Bagan need a quick turnaround in morale after a shattered final loss in the Durand Cup 2026 against rivals East Bengal FC.

Also Read: IFA Shield 2026: Take a look at complete schedule and groups

After clinching the Calcutta Football League (CFL) 2026 title by beating Mohammedan SC, the team will be hoping to win their 24th Shield to finish the pre-season before the start of the ISL 2026-27 season.

Mohun Bagan are placed in Group A with Sreenidi Deccan and NorthEast United FC. They will begin their campaign against Sreenidi Deccan FC on 23rd September and will then face NorthEast United FC on 29th September, as both games are set to be played at the Mohun Bagan Ground.

East Bengal FC

Since its inception in 1893, when the Indian Football Association & the football governing body of West Bengal started the tournament with full effect, the IFA Shield has become a competition containing rich legacy. East Bengal FC have been atop that legacy, as they have won the tournament a total of 29 times, making them the team with the most IFA Shields.

The team will look forward to the tournament with a large smile on their faces considering the pre-season has been nothing short of amazing. The Torchbearers qualified for the AFC Champions League Two during the season and then went on to win the 2026 Durand Cup by defeating rivals Mohun Bagan with a score line of 4-1.

East Bengal FC will kick off their IFA Shield 2026 campaign against Calcutta Customs Club on 24th September at the East Bengal Ground and then will face Punjab FC in home conditions when the East Bengal Ground will host the game on 30th September 2026.

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