Template:Infobox football club season
The 2025–26 season is the sixth season in Punjab FC's existence, the club's third consecutive season in Indian football's top-flight, and fifth overall. In addition to the league, the club will also take part in the 2025 Durand Cup and the 2025–26 Super Cup.
Background
Template:See alsoPunjab finished eighth in the 2024–25 Indian Super League. After the completion of the 2024–25 season, the club chose not to renew the contracts of any of their foreign players and opted for an overhaul in the foreign contingent. The club became active right after the end of the previous season, roping in Muhammad Uvais from Jamshedpur FC[1] and Bijoy Varghese from Inter Kashi[2] to strengthen the defence after departures of Abhishek Singh Tekcham, Melroy Assisi and the Croatian centre-back Ivan Novoselec. Punjab also renewed the contract of head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis for one more season keeping him at the club till the end of the 2026–27 season.[3] The main highlight of the window for Punjab FC was the sale of fullback Abhishek Singh Tekcham to Mohun Bagan SG in a multi-crore rupees deal.[4] Punjab bolstered their squad with the signing of 3 foreigners - Dani Ramírez, Samir Zeljković and Effiong Nsungusi. All three players have completed their medicals, penning one-year contracts after arriving on free transfers.[5]
On 31 July, Punjab FC unveiled their new club crest, a face of a lion from front with the words "Punjab FC" below it.[6] Nikhil Prabhu was appointed team captain before the start of the Durand Cup.[7]
Squad
First team
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Transfers
In
| Date | Player | Position | From | Transfer Fee | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 June 2025 | Template:Flag icon Muhammad Uvais | DF | Template:Flag icon Jamshedpur FC | Free transfer | [8] |
| 15 July 2025 | Template:Flag icon Bijoy Varghese | DF | Template:Flag icon Inter Kashi FC | Free transfer | [9] |
| 6 October 2025 | Template:Flag icon Dani Ramírez | MF | Template:Flag icon Manisa F.K. | Free transfer | |
| 6 October 2025 | Template:Flag icon Samir Zeljković | MF | Template:Flag icon FK Radnički 1923 | Free transfer | |
| 6 October 2025 | Template:Flag icon Effiong Nsungusi | FW | Template:Flag icon FC UTA Arad | Free transfer | |
| 21 October 2025 | Template:Flag icon Pablo Santos | DF | Template:Flag icon FC Noah | Free transfer | |
| 24 October 2025 | Template:Flag icon Bikash Singh Sagolsem | DF | Template:Flag icon Kerala Blasters | Free transfer | |
| 24 October 2025 | Template:Flag icon Arshdeep Singh | GK | Template:Flag icon Hyderabad | Free transfer | |
| 25 November 2025 | Template:Flag icon Bede Osuji Amarachi | FW | Template:Flag icon Manisa F.K. | Free transfer |
Out
Preseason and Friendlies
Punjab played 2 friendly matches – against Namdhari and Delhi on 5 October and 19 October respectively. Punjab won both the matches comfortably by 2–1 and 4–1. Suresh Meitei and Kipgen scored for Punjab in the 2–1 victory against Namdhari. Kipgen, Ninthoi, Nikhil Prabhu and Omang scored for Punjab in the 4–1 victory against Delhi. In January the team played two more friendlies against the same opponents as the start of the league season was delayed.
Matches
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Competitions
Overall record
Durand Cup
Table
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Matches
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Super Cup
Punjab will participate in the Super Cup and was grouped into Group C alongside Bengaluru, Mohammedan and Gokulam Kerala.[11]
Group stage
Template:2025–26 AIFF Super Cup group tables
Bracket
Matches
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Punjab State Super League
2025–26 Punjab State Super League
Indian Super League
Table
Template:2025–26 Indian Super League points table
Matches
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Summary
August 2025
Punjab FC started their Durand Cup campaign on 3 August against Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC in Kokrajhar, Assam with an all-domestic lineup. The match ended in a 2-1 win for Punjab, courtesy goals by Pramveer and Sanathoi.[12] Punjab then played against ITBP FT and were held to a goalless draw.[13] In the third match on 9 August, Punjab faced resilient Bodoland FC and were handed a tough loss by them which brought an end to Punjab's Durand Cup campaign.
October-November 2025
The AIFF decided to organise the 2025-26 Super Cup before the Indian Super League due to administrative problems between the federation and their commercial partners.
Statistics
Squad appearances and goals
Most Goals
| Sl. No. | Player | Durand Cup | Super Cup | League | Total goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Effiong Nsungusi | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| 2 | Dani Ramírez | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 3 | Samir Zeljković | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 4 | Pramveer Singh | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Konsam Sanathoi Singh | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Muhammad Suhail F | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Nikhil Prabhu | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Princeton Rebello | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Ninthoinganba Meetei | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Manglenthang Kipgen | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Bede Osuji | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Most Assists
| Sl. No. | Player | Durand Cup | Super Cup | League | Total assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manglenthang Kipgen | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Muhammad Suhail | 0 | 2 | 1 | ||
| 2 | Dani Ramírez | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Samir Zeljković | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 3 | Singamayum Shami | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Muhammad Uvais | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Princeton Rebello | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Ninthoinganba Meetei | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Leon Augustine | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Khaiminthang Lhungdim | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||
| Bede Osuji | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Cleansheets
| Sl. No. | Player | Matches played | Cleansheets kept | Cleansheet % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muheet Shabir | 4 | 3 | 75 |
| 2 | Ravi Kumar | 3 | 1 | 33.3 |
| Arshdeep Singh | 6 | 1 | 16.2 |
Notes
References
- ↑ ISL Transfers: Punjab FC Announces the Signing of Defender Muhammed Uvais. The Bridge(15 June 2025).
- ↑ Punjab FC sign defender Bijoy Varghese. The Print(15 July 2025).
- ↑ Punjab FC extends contract of head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis. Sportstar(10 June 2025).
- ↑ ISL champions Mohun Bagan set to sign Tekcham Abhishek Singh in ₹8 Crore+ deal.
- ↑ Punjab FC strengthens overseas roster before Super Cup, signs Zeljkovic, Ramirez and Effiong. Sportstar(6 October 2025).
- ↑ Fans react to Punjab FC's new logo.
- ↑ Punjab FC appoint Nikhil Prabhu as captain for Durand Cup. NewKerala.
- ↑ Muhammad Uvais joins the Shers.
- ↑ Punjab FC announces signing of defender Bijoy Varghese.
- ↑ Mohun Bagan announces signing Abhishek Tekcham from Punjab FC till 2029(24 July 2025).
- ↑ Group stage draw for Kalinga Super Cup 2023-24 conducted. the-aiff.com.
- ↑ Punjab FC start their Durand Cup campaign with late win over Karbi Anglong(3 August 2025).
- ↑ ITBP holds Punjab FC to goalless draw. Sportstar(6 August 2025).