ISL Teams Captains 2026: Full List of All Club Leaders

The ISL 2026 season features 14 clubs. Most have a named captain, though not every club has confirmed one for this season. Captains talk to referees, organize the defense, and keep the squad focused.

This article covers all ISL team captains for the 2026 season.

Note: Captaincy can change at any point due to injuries, transfers, or a coach’s decision mid-season.

ISL Teams Captains 2026 Season: At a Glance

Here is a full list of all 14 ISL clubs and their captains for the 2026 season, organized for quick reference.

Sr. No.	Team	Captain(s)	Position
1	Bengaluru FC	Sunil Chhetri	Forward
2	Chennaiyin FC	Alberto Noguera	Midfielder
3	SC Delhi	Lamgoulen Hangshing	Defender
4	East Bengal FC	Saúl Crespo	Midfielder
5	FC Goa	Sandesh Jhingan	Defender
6	Inter Kashi	Sumeet Passi	Centre Forward
7	Jamshedpur FC	S. Eze / Pratik C. / Pronay Halder	Various
8	Kerala Blasters FC	Bikash Yumnam	Defender
9	Mohun Bagan SG	Subhasish Bose	Defender
10	Mohammedan SC	Gaurav Bora	Defender
11	Mumbai City FC	Lallianzuala Chhangte	Forward
12	NorthEast United FC	Michel Zabaco	Defender
13	Odisha FC	Carlos Delgado	Defender
14	Punjab FC	Nikhil Prabhu	Defender

Most ISL clubs in 2026 trust defenders as their captains, which shows how much coaches value defensive leadership and on-field communication. 

Let’s look at each captain in detail now.

1. Sunil Chhetri – Bengaluru FC

Sunil Chhetri is India’s most capped footballer and still leads Bengaluru FC as captain in 2026.

He sets the standard in training, stays vocal during matches, and uses his experience to keep the team sharp. Younger players look to him for direction, and he rarely disappoints.

2. Alberto Noguera – Chennaiyin FC

Alberto Noguera is a Spanish midfielder who has spent several seasons in Indian football. He knows the league well.

Noguera controls the pace of the game, organizes the press, and keeps the team structured. His calm approach helps Chennaiyin FC stay disciplined when matches get difficult.

3. Lamgoulen Hangshing – SC Delhi

SC Delhi carries a rebranded identity, built on the foundations of Hyderabad FC. Lamgoulen Hangshing leads this new chapter as captain.

He reads the game well, communicates clearly with his defensive partners, and stays composed under pressure. Young in age, but mature in how he leads.

4. Saúl Crespo – East Bengal FC

Saúl Crespo is a Spanish midfielder who captains East Bengal FC. He links defense to attack and controls the midfield battle.

Crespo stays consistent, works hard, and earns respect through his performances rather than words. The coaching staff trusts him to keep the team organized when it matters most.

5. Sandesh Jhingan – FC Goa

Sandesh Jhingan is one of the most experienced defenders in Indian football. FC Goa handed him the armband, and he has backed that decision with strong performances at the back.

Jhingan wins headers, organizes the backline, and reads danger early. His years with the national team and across multiple ISL clubs give him the credibility to lead a dressing room without needing to raise his voice.

6. Sumeet Passi – Inter Kashi

Inter Kashi is one of the newer ISL clubs, and Sumeet Passi leads them from the front. The Center Forward brings structure to a young squad.

He directs the team’s shape, supports developing players, and helps Inter Kashi build a clear style of play. His presence in the middle of the park makes a real difference game to game.

7. Stephen Eze / Lazar Ćirković / Pratik Chaudhari / Pronay Halder – Jamshedpur FC

Jamshedpur FC takes a different approach to captaincy. The club uses a leadership group of four players rather than naming a single permanent captain.

Stephen Eze leads the defense. Lazar Ćirković brings experience in midfield. Pratik Chaudhari adds strong knowledge of Indian football. Pronay Halder brings fight and intensity. The armband rotates based on who plays that day.

8. Bikash Yumnam – Kerala Blasters FC

Bikash Yumnam captains Kerala Blasters FC in the 2026 season. The Indian defender keeps the backline organized and stays focused even during difficult patches.

He has built his reputation through steady, reliable performances for the club. The Blasters trust him to set the defensive tone each match.

9. Subhasish Bose – Mohun Bagan SG

Subhasish Bose captains Mohun Bagan SG, one of the biggest clubs in Indian football. The left-back leads with his voice and his performances.

He has been part of title-winning campaigns, and that experience shapes how he carries himself on the pitch. Mohun Bagan SG has high expectations every season, and Bose handles that pressure well.

10. Gaurav Bora – Mohammedan SC

Gaurav Bora leads Mohammedan SC as they compete in the ISL. The Indian central defender keeps the backline compact and organized. He communicates clearly, stays disciplined, and leads through his actions on the pitch. 

Mohammedan SC depends on him to hold the defense together, especially against stronger opposition.

11. Lallianzuala Chhangte – Mumbai City FC

Lallianzuala Chhangte is one of the fastest players in the ISL and wears the captain’s armband at Mumbai City FC. He leads from the front through his goal contributions and high work rate.

Giving the armband to a winger is a clear signal. Mumbai City FC wants attacking energy and intensity to define their identity this season.

12. Michel Zabaco – NorthEast United FC

Michel Zabaco is the captain of NorthEast United FC and leads the defensive line. The Spanish defender keeps the defensive shape tight and stays vocal throughout the match.

NorthEast United have a young squad this season, and Zabaco’s experience helps them stay focused during difficult spells and not lose shape under pressure.

13. Carlos Delgado – Odisha FC

Carlos Delgado captains Odisha FC from central defense. He keeps the backline organized, stays composed in one-on-one situations, and makes sure the team defends as a unit.

His experience as a foreign defender in the ISL helps him adapt to different opponents and lead the squad through a long, demanding season.

14. Nikhil Prabhu – Punjab FC

Nikhil Prabhu captains Punjab FC with consistency and commitment. The Indian defender understands domestic football well and uses that knowledge to organize the backline.

He stays focused across the season, keeps the team disciplined, and brings a sense of stability to Punjab FC’s defensive unit week after week.

Conclusion: Here Are All The ISL Teams Captains for 2026

The ISL 2026 season has captains from different positions and nationalities leading their clubs. 

Defenders lead most teams, but forwards like Chhetri and Chhangte also wear the armband. Each captain plays a direct role in how their team performs week to week. 

The season still has matches to play, and captaincy decisions can shift as clubs manage injuries, form, and squad rotation.

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