Punjab FC includes 10 academy graduates in ISL squad

Punjab FC announced a 27-member squad for the 2026-27 Indian Super League (ISL) season on Friday, combining an established domestic core with new signings and 10 academy graduates.

The Shers will begin their fourth ISL campaign against Odisha FC on October 14 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi.

Head coach Pavlos Dermitzakis, beginning his first season with the club, has retained 14 players from last season’s squad. They include national team players Bijoy Varghese, Ricky Shabong, Muhammed Uvais, Nikhil Prabhu and Muhammad Suhail F, along with Arshdeep Singh, Khaiminthang Lhungdim and Leon Augustine.

The foreign players are Patrick Bahanack, Mickaël Malsa, Diego Raposo, Alfred Planas Moya and Raphaël Messi Bouli. Mohammad Inam and Gurkirat Singh are among the new domestic signings.

The squad includes 10 academy graduates, three more than last season. They earned their places through performances in age-group leagues and the recently concluded IFA Shield, where Punjab FC reached the semi-finals.

Speaking ahead of the campaign, Dermitzakis said, “This is a squad built with a clear idea of how we want to play, and I am very happy with the balance we have. We have experience in every department, players who know this club and the league, and ten young players from our academy who have earned their place through their work every single day. The ISL has a demanding schedule, and every player in this group will have a role to play. The players have prepared well, the hunger in the dressing room is there, and we are ready to begin.”

The coaching staff includes assistant coaches Georgios Angelidis and Sankarlal Chakraborty, strength and conditioning coach Christos Vorgiatzidis and goalkeeping coach Vinay Singh.

The squad has three goalkeepers, seven defenders, seven midfielders and 10 forwards. Arshdeep Singh leads the goalkeeping group, while the forward line includes Messi Bouli, Raposo, Planas Moya, Leon Augustine and Muhammad Suhail F.