New signings, big exits, full squads and what’s different this season – Firstpost

The Indian Super League (ISL) is finally back after months of uncertainty. The 2026 season is all set to kick off on Saturday, February 14, with 14 teams, including newly promoted Inter Kashi, confirming participation in a truncated campaign.

The road to this season has not been smooth. Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL)’s Master Rights Agreement with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) expired in December 2025, and the failure to agree on an extension threw the league into crisis.

Eventually, the AIFF stepped in with a short-term plan, which was approved by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), allowing the season to start.

What’s different from last season?

Truncated Format: This season will have just 91 matches, with each of the 14 teams playing 13 games (once against every other team). Last season, teams played at least 24 matches, with playoff sides reaching 28. There will be no playoffs this time.

Drop in Value: The league’s media rights value has collapsed due to AIFF mismanagement. Last season, per match cost was Rs 1.69 crore. This season, per match cost has reduced to Rs 9.5 lakh. FanCode has taken broadcasting rights for Rs 8.62 crore, while Kaleidoscope Services secured production rights.

Prize Money Slashed: Without playoffs, the prize pool has reduced sharply this season. Earlier total prize pool was Rs 15.5 crore. This season, the prize money is likely to be Rs 5 crore. The ISL Shield winner may get Rs 3.5 crore, with Rs 1.5 crore for the runners-up.

Salary Cuts: Several clubs, including FC Goa and Bengaluru FC, implemented pay cuts and are facing financial pressure due to the lack of football for months.  

ISL 2026: New signings

East Bengal

In: Jay Gupta, Edward Lalrindika, Martand Raina, Mohammed Rashid, Miguel Figueira, Kevin Sibille, Bipin Singh, Youssef Ezzejjari, Jerry Mawihmingthanga

Out: Hiroshi Ibusuki, Hamid Ahadad, Dimitrios Diamantakos, Madih Talal, Raphael Messi Bouli, Hijazi Maher, Nishu Kumar, Gursimrat Singh Gill, Mark Zothanpuia, Hector Yuste

Mohun Bagan Super Giant

In: Mehtab Singh, Abhishek Singh Tekcham, Kiyan Nassiri, Robson Robinho

Out: Arsh Sheikh, Saurabh Bhanwala, Greg Stewart, Nuno Reis, Dheeraj Singh, Glan Martins (loan), Ashique Kuruniyan, Amandeep

Kerala Blasters

In: Victor Bertomeu, Matias Hernandez, Kevin Yoke, Marlon Roos-Trujillo, Muhammad Ajsal, Rowlin Borges, Ebindas Y, Jaganath Jayan, Oumar Nah

Out: Md. Azhar, Md. Aimen, Dusan Lagator, Koldo Obieta, Noah Sadaoui (loan), Adrian Luna (loan), Juan Rodriguez, Tiago Alves

Sporting Club Delhi

In: Ashutosh Mehta, Lamgoulen Gou Hangshing, Mohammed Aimen, Augustine Lalrochana, Vishal Yadav, Rafael Ribeiro, Mohammed Azhar, Alan Saji, Akshat Mehra, Yohann Victor Britto, Yanglem Sanatomba Singh

Out: Andrei Alba

Jamshedpur FC

In: Madih Talal, Raphael Messi Bouli, Sarthak Golui, Vincy Barretto, Gabriel Rosenberg, Manvir Singh, Mark Zothanpuia, Praful Kumar, Nikola Stojanovic, Germanpreet Singh

Out: Javier Siverio, Javi Hernandez, Jordan Murray, Muhammed Uvais, Seiminlen Dungeon, Calvin Barretto, Wungngayam Muirang, Aniket Harbour, Vishal Harbour, Samir Murmu, Imran Khan, Jayesh Rane, Nishu Kumar, Suhair VP, Ashutosh Mehta, Shubham Sarangi, Daniel Lalhlimpuia, Destin George

Inter Kashi (Promoted)

In: Narendra Gehlot, Rohit Danu, Nauris Petkevičius, Lluís Tarrés, Sergio Llamas, Alfred Planas, David Humanes, Prabir Das, Ashish Jha, Wayne Vaz, Mohit Singh Dhami

Out: Edmund Lalrindika, Nikola Stojanovic, Domi Berlanga, David Humanes, Joni Kauko, Sarthak Golui, Bijoy V, Prasanth K, SK Sahil, Narayan Das, Bidyashagar Singh, Sharon P, Asif Khan, Dizianlung Gonmei, Matija Babovic, Arindam Bhattacharja

Odisha FC

In: Vanlalzuidika, K. Lalrinfela

Out: Diego Mauricio, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Roy Krishna, Dorielton, Hugo Boumous (loan), Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Mourtada Fall, Raynier Fernandes

NorthEast United

In: Jairo Samperio, Andy Rodriguez, Lalbiakdika, Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia

Out: Hamza Regragui, Néstor Albiach, Chema Núñez, Mirshad K. Michu, Sumit Rathi, Alaeddine Ajaraie (loan), Mohammed Ali Bemammer, Phalguni Singh

Mohammedan Sporting

No new signings announced.

Out: Marc Andre Schmerböck, Carlos França, Alexis Gómez, Mohammed Kadiri, Mohammed Irshad, Vanlalzuidika, Bhaskar Roy, Manvir Singh, Samad Mallick, Wahengbam Angousana Luwang, Wahengbam Angousana Luwang, Tanmoy Ghosh, Thokchom James Singh, Sachu Siby, K Lalrinfela, Mirjalol Kasimov, Joseph Adjei

FC Goa

In: Pol Moreno, Daniel Lalhlimpuia, Ishan Pandita, Harsh Patre, Glan Martins (loan), Ronney Willson Kharbudon, Abdul Rabeeh, Jerry Lalrinzuala

Out: Javi Siverio, David Timor, Borja Herrera, Iker Guarrotxena, Jay Gupta, Odei Onaindia, Carl McHugh, Rowllin Borges, Laxmikant Kattimani, Aaren D’Silva

Chennaiyin FC

In: Imran Khan, Alberto Noguera, Inigo Martin, Mohammed Ali Bemammer, Eduardo Kau, Raj Basfore, Klusner John Manuel Pereira, Kingslee Fernandes

Out: Conor Shields, Ryan Edwards, Edwin Sydney Vanspaul, Kiyan Nassiri, Wilmar Jordan Gil, Lukas Brambilla, Vincy Barretto

Mumbai City FC

In: Jorge Pereyra Diaz, Zothanpuia, Lalnuntluanga, Bijay Chhetri, Amandeep, Dhruv Alva

Out: Mehtab Singh, Jon Toral, Yoëll van Nieff, Amey Ranawade, Tiri, Bipin Singh, Hardik Bhatt, Daniel Lalhlimpuia, Seilenthang Lotjem, Nikolaos Karelis, Thaer Krouma, Jérémy Manzorro, Sahil Panwar, Vishal Joon

Bengaluru FC

In: Ashique Kuruniyan, Sirozhiddin Kuziev, Braian Sánchez, Jaspreet Singh

Out: Edgar Méndez, Jorge Pereyra Díaz, Salaheddine Bahi, Alberto Noguera, Pedro Capó, Harsh Patre, Aleksandar Jovanovic, Halicharan Narzary (loan), Jessel Carneiro

Punjab FC

In: Muhammed Uvais, Arshdeep Singh, Bijoy V, Sagolsem Bikash Singh, Samir Zeljkovic, Nsungusi Effiong, Bede Osuji, Dani Ramírez, Pablo Santos, Ranjeet Singh Pandre P

Out: Tekcham Abhishek Singh, Filip Mrzljak, Ezequiel Vidal, Ivan Novoselec, Petros Giakoumakis, Luka Majcen, Kiran Chemjong, Asmir Suljic, Melroy Assisi, Samuel Kynshi, Tejas Krishna, Denechandra Meitei, Nitesh Darjee, Likmabam Rakesh

ISL 2026: Opening match

Defending champion Mohun Bagan Super Giant will face Kerala Blasters in the opener at the Salt Lake Stadium on February 14.

ISL 2026: Full list of fixtures